The 2018 winners of the StateScoop 50 awards — which annually highlight the best and brightest in the State IT community — were announced Sunday, April 22 in Baltimore, Maryland, at the beginning of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers’ midyear conference.

The awards, which were presented for their fifth consecutive year, honor state government information technology and cybersecurity executives, industry influencers, up-and-comers and innovative projects.

CO DRIVES was recognized as one of the State IT Innovations of the Year!

As part of the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) continued commitment to provide premier service to all Marylanders, the agency announced a new project called Customer Connect to modernize all information technology (IT) systems it uses to deliver services to customers. The Maryland Board of Public Works just approved the five-year project.

“Customer Connect will allow us to expand on the efficiencies we have already realized at MDOT MVA by using technology to further streamline processes and fulfill our mission to connect customers to life’s opportunities,” said MDOT Secretary Pete K. Rahn.

On Jan. 31, 2013, California pulled the plug on a long overdue modernization of its Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) IT systems. Originally scheduled to be completed that March, the state and its prime contractor had only managed to finish one portion of the $208 million system overhaul.

But California was not the only state to stumble. From coast to coast, DMVs struggled to drag their IT systems into the 21st century. Instead of creating new efficiencies for driver’s licensing and motor vehicle registrations, states were reporting false starts, failures and lawsuits. Meanwhile, as Americans were growing used to oneclick, online orders for retail purchases, they found themselves still heading down to the local DMV office to stand in line, where wait times were lengthening while IT upgrades languished.

Fast Enterprises (FAST), a leading provider of software and consulting services to governments, has received 2017 and 2018 best-workplace awards that recognize the company’s ongoing commitment to employee morale and diversity.

The awards, which include FAST’s fifth consecutive award as a “best place to work” by online jobs and career community Glassdoor®, also consist of awards from consulting and research firm Great Place to Work®. FAST was recognized in multiple categories as a best workplace for diversity, millennials, and the technology sector.