Microsoft partnering to offer e-gov business apps
- By Geneva Sapp, IDG News Service
- May 17, 2000
As if Microsoft Corp. hasn't had enough of government involvement in technology,
the company has partnered with e-government systems provider Carta Inc.
to build, market and distribute e-government applications for cities, states,
and municipalities across the country, the company announced at Monday's
Government Technology West conference in Sacramento, Calif.
E-government applications provide government services online.
Chris Roberts, chief executive officer and president of Carta, said
the Web is an ideal solution for government services, such as filing for
building permits online, issuing various licenses such as animal licenses,
renewing driver's licenses, applying for marriage certificates and requesting
copies of birth certificates.
Roberts said providing government forms online would benefit both citizens
and government agencies, which are overburdened and have problems hiring
the necessary technical staff.
"Most citizens who have dealt with government agencies find some of
the procedures to be cumbersome, the location hard to get to, and the hours
hard to work around. The Web offers citizens the ability to do business
with the government agency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," and as the population
continues to grow, reduces the need for more brick-and-mortar operations
and more personnel, Roberts said.