Organization of the Technology and Data Services Section

The Technology and Data Services Section (TDS) in OSBM collects, produces, analyzes, organizes, disseminates, and explains budget and other strategically important data produced by many North Carolina and US government agencies. TDS provides one-stop Web access to a large number of data items, extensive metadata, data management tools, and training. TDS seeks to make technology easier for all its clients, including state agencies and the public.

TDS includes three major components:

1. The Computer Application Development and Support component provides analysis, design, programming, maintenance, and user support for all budget systems. OSBM's systems are Web-enabled and provide a full-range of data management functionality as well as search and retrieval tools. TDS supports development and production environments for IMS mainframe applications, Oracle Database and Application Server instances in a virtualized UNIX (Solaris) environment, SAS Forecast Server (Solaris), and Windows server applications in a VMWare environment.

2. The State Data Center is a collaborative program between the US Census Bureau and the states that provides for the collection, production, analysis, organization, dissemination, and explanation of government statistical data. TDS is the lead agency in a network of over 40 affiliates in North Carolina.

3. The Chief Information Officer (CIO) oversees all IT functions within OSBM and is responsible for ensuring reliable IT infrastructure and applications. The CIO conducts the business of IT for OSBM, including procurement, negotiation and maintenance of vendor contracts, monitoring of Service Level Agreements, and other IT management tasks. The CIO is responsible for application portfolio management, IT plans, oversight of the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) in providing consolidated services for OSBM, IT staffing in OSBM, security, business continuity, and disaster recovery. Additionally, the CIO works with ITS, the CIO Council, and state agencies on statewide IT issues.

Staff -- TDS develops complete automation solutions for OSBM's business processes. Staff have extensive technical knowledge. Areas of expertise include computer applications analysis and development in UNIX, mainframe, and Windows environments; database development and administration in Oracle and IMS; structured programming in various languages; graphic design; editorial and publication principles and practices; project management; statewide budgeting; and state and federal statistical programs.

Major Projects and Activities

  • Log Into North Carolina (LINC), an on-line menu-driven, Web-based system that provides any user with access to up-to-date information on over 1300 data items from federal and state sources at the county level, most with information for the last 30 years, and including metadata on definitions, sources, and limitations of each data item. Database designed and maintained in-house using Oracle products.
  • Census Lookup, an in-house Oracle-based expansion and enhancement of LINC to allow users ease in retrieving millions of Census data records down to the block level for all of North Carolina. Programming allows creation of customized tables.
  • Web Informational Products, an ongoing effort to provide a comprehensive Web presence for OSBM, consisting of hundreds of Web pages (static and dynamic) using Java and other technologies. Information presented on the Web includes tables, reports, analysis with graphics, data finding guides, and training materials, all with appropriate navigational links to aid users in locating these products on the Web. The main OSBM Web site includes a dynamically-generated and searchable library of OSBM's memorandums, forms, publications, manuals/instructions, news/events, and data links. Web-based forms for data collection, registration for seminars, etc. are also provided.
  • Customized Programming for Data Retrieval and Analysis, a responsibility of the section to government agencies and the public to provide very specific tables, graphics, and analyses from unpublished electronic sources by developing customized programs. A variety of software, databases, and programming structures are used.
  • User Training and Support, an effort to provide training and support for state agencies and the general public in the concepts and content of budget-related software and procedures. Examples include leading agencies through Web-based reporting, troubleshooting for state agencies using Budget systems, assisting OSBM staff with PC office applications, and ad hoc support via e-mail and telephone. Support activities also include administration of NCID, NCMail, Novell, user accounts for all OSBM systems, and security procedures.
  • Database Administration, includes numerous administration duties associated with providing development and production environments for Oracle and IMS Databases.
  • Technical Documentation for Databases, Software, and Procedures, an effort to ensure continuity and efficiency in uses of Budget systems and procedures and various related systems, databases, software, and procedures. Detailed documentation with step-by-step instructions is required.
  • NC Fee Report, an annual report (approximately 400 pages) concerning all fees collected by state agencies and required by the General Assembly as part of the State Budget. Database designed and maintained in Oracle. Data input from NC State Accounting System and individual departments. In-house software is maintained to collect data on the Web and to generate the final report, as well as on-line ad-hoc reports.
  • Biennial Budget Preparation (BPS), includes IMS mainframe application for creating line-item budgets, a database, designed and developed in Oracle, to gather information for the Governor's biennial budget from all agencies via the Web, and to associate this narrative information with the fiscal data from the mainframe Budget Preparation System to produce the final Recommended Budget document. BPS assistance also includes editing mainframe information through the BPS system and developing procedures to automate mainframe production of the 3,000 page budget document. These activities require multiple technologies, including XML, IBM Websphere MQ messaging, and desktop publishing.
  • Web-Based Budget Allotment System, uses DataDirect Technologies' Shadow Web Server software to create a modern user interface for the mainframe system for budget allotting (including capital budgets) that was developed in IMS. The Web version of this system is part of a suite of Budget systems available to state agencies for data entry and retrieval on the World Wide Web.
  • Web-Based Budget Summary and Adjustment System, a project described by OSBM management as essential to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of production of the budget summary and budget adjustment documents. Related modules include Results-Based Budget data management and post-legislative summaries. This system provides for data exchange between the mainframe and OSBM's database servers, easy data entry, document preview, and output to desktop publishing for the final document.
  • Web-Based Budget Revision System, uses DataDirect Technologies' Shadow Web Server software to create a modern user interface for the mainframe system for budget revisions, which is a system that uses IMS. The Web version of this system is part of a suite of Budget systems available to state agencies for data entry and retrieval on the World Wide Web.
  • Web-Based Salary Control System, uses DataDirect Technologies' Shadow Web Server software to create a modern user interface for the mainframe system for Salary Control, which is a system that uses IMS. The Web version of this system is part of a suite of Budget systems available to state agencies for data entry and retrieval on the World Wide Web.
  • Community Resource Information System (CRIS), a customer-focused electronic resource designed primarily to help local communities obtain information about state government financial and technical assistance programs and services. The CRIS function is required by administrative procedures for those programs that distribute grant funds to non-state agencies.
  • How North Carolina Ranks, a project for generating and distributing key socio-economic indicators for NC counties annually. Currently over 200 indicators are provided in the report that is updated annually.
  • Technical Editing and Document Production, a service that provides editing and production of all major OSBM publications, including budget documents and supporting materials. Covers all aspects of document production, such as layout and graphical design.
  • Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, an effort by TDS staff to provide a comprehensive plan for business continuity and disaster recovery in accordance with state law and industry best practices.
  • Business Process and Data Analysis, a service that provides assistance to OSBM staff in the analysis of business processes and data that support budgeting. This service may be provided in conjunction with the development or enhancement of systems and in efforts to improve current business operations or establish new operations.
  • BEACON Assistance, an effort by TDS staff to ensure smooth integration of BEACON HR/Payroll data with OSBM's budget systems. Also includes assistance with planning for BEACON budget and financial modules that are envisioned to be part of the state's ERP solution for core business services.
  • Internal Audit Reporting System, a new project underway to provide an Oracle-based solution for collection and reporting of state agency internal audit plans and reports.
  • Master Address Dataset, a new project underway to provide a master address data file to improve the accuracy of the 2010 Census, as well as provide a comprehensive address resource for local and statewide planning and service delivery. OSBM is providing advice and oversight to the NC Center for Geographic Information and Analysis on this project.

Contact
Joel Sigmon
Office of State Budget and Management
20320 Mail Service Center
Raleigh , NC 27699-0320
Telephone: (919) 807-4700
FAX: (919) 733-0640
Email: Joel.Sigmon@osbm.nc.gov