1. Focus is centered on ensuring quality customer services in a timely, convenient, and efficient manner.
2. Capture data once in order to avoid cost, duplication of effort and potential error. Sustems should be automated to update in real time. Manual entry of data should be eliminated where possible.
3. Manage information technology as an investment:
   1. encourage partnership with the private sector and other regional agencies where appropriate;
   2. allocate funds to cover depreciation to replace equipment and systems before the end of their life-cycle (retained earnings);
   3. Utilize technology to improve the effectiveness and productivity of County government, focus on maximizing return on investment
   4. Invest in education and training to ensure that technical staff understands current and future technologies;
   5. Evaluate business processes for re-engineering opportunities prior to implementing technology solutions;
   6. Technology solutions and training will be based on business needs to support county-wide strategic goals.
   7. Technology selection and implementation will be based on business needs of the organization. New technology should intergrate with the existing technology architecture and be consistent with communications and information technology plans.
4. Adhere to a standard set of technology components (operating system platforms, programming landuages, desktop products) to maximize return on investment.
5. Adhere to non-proprietary, open system standards to provide flexible, robust solutions that allow interoperability of use
   1. Research commercial off the shelf software where possible
   2. Minimize in-house customization to speed up the delivery of new business aplications and reduce cost
   3. Concentrate on web based applications
6. Implement innovative, but proven technologies and introduce new technologies using pilot projects where the technology, it benefits, and costs can be evaluated prior to a large-scale deployment.
7. Manage the enterprise network as the fundamental infrastructure to provide user friendly, flexible, expandable, and maintaniable connectivity for both internal and external customers.
8. Utilize both internal and external sources where financially feasible (consultants/contractores/vendors) to extend the knowledge base of technology solutions and extend out limited resources.
9. Keep the workforce and public informed and create and environment of collaboration and trust to secure buy-in from the user community.
10. Investments in technology will be managed from a full life-cycle perspective; multi-year planning and annual allocation funding strategies will be used to replace systems, equipment and infrastructure before life-cycle end.

Catawba County Government
Post Office Box 389
100 A South West Blvd.
Newton, NC 28658-0389
828-465-8280