With state officials warning cities and towns to prepare for budget cuts, municipal governments are searching for ways to reduce costs and streamline their operations. Patrick Odess, president and CEO of Providence-based City/State Computer Services, says choosing the right technology tools can play a critical role in helping local governments do just that. He talked with Providence Business News recently about what his firm can offer to municipalities and where there is still room for improvement.
PBN: What do you do at City/State Computer Services?
ODESS: City/State Computer Services (CSCS) is a full-service technology systems provider specializing in the public sector only. For more than 20 years we have provided federal, state and local governments with services such as custom application development, full information technology facilities-management services, help desk support, project management, feasibility studies and business analyses, and now the Municipal Accounting Information System (MAIS).
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PBN: Is there a lot of competition to provide IT services to local governments?
ODESS: There are several competitors vying for business in the local sector. However, CSCS is the only Rhode Island-based company that is totally dedicated to the public sector exclusively, offering a full line of products and services to meet all of municipal government’s functions. We employ only professionals who have installed, trained and supported the IT platforms utilized in municipal government. We are successful as we fully understand the business of government and the challenges they face to provide their services to the public.
PBN: City/State was recently selected to be the sole East Coast reseller and support provider for Municipal Accounting Information Systems (MAIS) software. What is that?
ODESS: MAIS is a fully integrated, Windows-based software system, containing more than 20 modules, exclusively engineered for the public sector. It offers a practical, solid and affordable solution and allows for easy interface with other Windows-based systems such as Microsoft Word and Excel. Over the last 20 years MAIS has developed a strong presence in North America and is currently installed in over 100 municipalities in the U.S. and Canada.
PBN: Specifically, how can MAIS save money for cities and towns?
ODESS: First, MAIS is affordable and easily adapted for the small to large municipal entity. There are no hidden costs, meaning outside of the database software – Progress – MAIS is self-contained. There is no need to purchase expensive third-party software to manage payroll and financial data or Web interfaces. Annual maintenance costs are also kept affordable for easy budgeting. We also offer convenient payment plans, and can be tailored to fit any budget. MAIS also includes the “pop and sizzle” that will be utilized to streamline productivity and efficiency, as opposed to some offerings that seem to dazzle but never are implemented due to complexity and their enormous drain on system resources.
PBN: Generally speaking, do you see a lot of local governments making good use of technology? Where do you still see room for improvement and growth?
ODESS: Most local governments make a concerted effort to keep up with technology. However, information system budgets are usually the first to get cut. If a decision has to be made between a new police cruiser or rescue vehicle and new or replacement of aging technology the decision has always been in favor of what is beneficial to the public good. Implementing and maintaining a comprehensive IT capital improvement plan should be utilized to budget costs over a short-term timeframe. (Short-term is suggested because technology evolves every 18 months.) Municipalities should not procrastinate in this area – the more behind the times they get, the more expensive it will be when it eventually becomes a must to upgrade.
