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State Data Center

CNIC Initiative
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the project cost?
  • Phase I - Planning and Assessment will cost $1.74 M
    • Funds for Phase I are being paid out of the existing budget of the Department of Administrative Services, Information Resources Management Division through reprioritizing division projects; if a business case exists and consolidation occurs, these costs will be factored into the business case
  • Phase II - Implementation costs will be determined as part of the Business Case and Implementation Plan (to be conducted in Phase I)

What is the scope of the project?
  • The scope of the project is focused on 12 of the state´s largest data centers and their eight associated data networks
    • "Data Center" includes mainframes, midrange, and server infrastructure and associated facilities and staff
    • "Network" includes routers, switches, hubs and associated facilities and staff and is primarily focused on data transport to and from data center locations that may be consolidated, i.e., network changes will only be those required as a result of data center consolidation   

What is outside the scope of the project?
  • The following technology areas are outside the scope of the project:
    • The state´s voice (telephone) network
    • Application development
    • Local Area Network (LAN) and desktop operations or associated staff
  • Additionally, outsourcing is not being considered in this project

How long will the project take?
  • Phase I (Planning and Assessment) Key Milestones:
    • March 15, 2004 - Contract was signed and project started
    • April 30, 2004 - Inventory will be completed
    • June 15, 2004 - Implementation Strategy and Business Case will be completed
    • September 2004 - If the Business Case is approved in June, a detailed Implementation Plan and final Business Case will be completed
  • Phase II (Implementation):
    • Consolidation schedule will be outlined in the Phase I Implementation Plan
    • First data center consolidation could be as early as January 2005
    • Subsequent consolidation of the remaining participating agencies' data center operations would proceed in sequence over eighteen to twenty-four months

Who is leading the effort?
 
This effort is one of the Governor´s initiatives to make state government more efficient and effective.  Leadership is being provided collaboratively by the following:
  • Executive Sponsor - Theresa McHugh, Director, Dept. of Administrative Services
  • Program Sponsor - Donald Fleming, State CIO
  • Program Manager - Mike Freese, Deputy State CIO
  • Governing Board - Agency Directors (comprised of the agency directors of the 12 participating agencies)
  • Technical Governance - CIO Council (comprised of approximately 25 state agency CIOs)

Have other states consolidated their IT operations?
 
Yes.  Consolidation, in a variety of forms, is commonplace in both the public and private sector.  The federal government began a push for consolidation beginning in 1995-1996.  Some of the states that have conducted or are considering consolidation initiatives are as follows:
 
Arizona, 2000 Illinois, 2004 New York, 1996-1998 & 2004
California, 1997 & 2003 Iowa, 2001-2004 Pennsylvania, 1996-2001
Connecticut, 1997-2004  Michigan, 1995-1997 South Carolina, 1996-1999
Florida, 2001-2004 Missouri, 1995-1996 Texas, 1993-1994
Georgia, 2000 & 2002 New Jersey, 1998 Virginia, 2002-2004
  Wisconsin, 2000
 
 

How much can the state expect to save with this initiative?
 
We will have a better understanding of specific savings and cost reduction opportunities when the initial Business Case and Implementation Strategy are delivered in June 2004.  In general, consolidation initiatives are undertaken because of the potential for a significant reduction in operating costs.   
 

Will this result in staff reduction?
  • We will have a better understanding of specific impacts related to data center and network staffing when the initial Business Case and Implementation Strategy are delivered in June 2004
  • Typically, a consolidated data center requires fewer staff (based on industry benchmark data)
  • The state is working with labor unions to make sure they are informed and to ensure we understand their perspective on moving forward with consolidation
  • The Human Resource Services Division of the Department of Administrative Services is working with the Consolidation Project Team to ensure that complete and accurate information is communicated on a regular basis

Will a new facility be built to house consolidated operations?
  • None of the existing agency data centers are suitable for a consolidated state center
  • The state does not intend to build a brand new facility.  If the decision to proceed with consolidation is made, it is likely that a facility will be acquired and refurbished
  • Although the state will not know if a business case for consolidation exists until June 2004, we are conducting facility-related due diligence to find data center or "shell" facilities that may be suitable

Where will the consolidated state center be located?
 
Facility location has not yet been determined.  The state is currently researching facilities between Portland and Eugene.  The siting decision will be made collaboratively by the leadership groups listed above, the Governor´s Office, and the Legislature.
 

How will a decision be made whether or not to consolidate?
  • The Governing Board and CIO Council will review the Business Case and Implementation Strategy and make recommendations to the DAS Director and State CIO
  • The DAS Director and State CIO will make final recommendations to the Governor
  • A report and recommendation will then be made to the Legislature at the June meeting of the Emergency Board and/or the Joint Legislative Committee on Information Management and Technology (JLCIMT)

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Page updated: December 12, 2006