TO:������������������������ INFORMATION RESOURCES OF MAINE (InforME) BOARD

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FROM:������������������ CARRIE GOTT, INFORME STAFF

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DATE:������������������� April 25, 2000

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RE:������������������������ MINUTES OF THE APRIL 25, 2000 InforME BOARD MEETING

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ATTENDANCE:

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Secretary of State Dan A. Gwadosky, Chair of the Board

Deborah B. Carson, Financial Operations Officer, Judicial Branch

Tamara Dukes, President, New England Interactive (NEI)

Major Jeffrey Harmon, Department of Public Safety

Janie Higgins, Public Member

Marilyn Lutz, Maine Library Association

Michael E. Pizzo, Representing a User Association

Anne Schink, Maine League of Women Voters

Lesley Sprague, Maine Association of Realtors

Richard Hinckly, Bureau of Information Systems

STAFF:

Carrie Gott, Staff to InforME Board

Todd Tolhurst, Staff to InforME Board

John Rusinak, Staff to InforME Board

Rebecca Wyke, Chief Deputy, Office of Secretary of State

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I. Connectivity

• State employees have been experiencing problems with connecting to the state Web site server due to Internet routing issues. InforME and BIS have worked diligently to address the problem and have decided to connect an additional T1 to run between InforME and BIS, thus allowing for a direct link for state employees. InforME is also analyzing its ISP of Sprint link and reevaluating whether it is in fact the most appropriate provider.� The current T1 will remain dedicated to the transfer of data only. Webmasters are currently utilizing this data T1 to upload to their Web sites, but will be able to more to the new T1 when installed.

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• Testing connectivity with non-government users. InforME will be requesting users to test the amount of time it takes to load the site. Data received will help determine whether the site is within the recommended loading time, or if it must be re-worked to meet these guidelines.

II. Revenue goals have been exceeded this month. One new customer did purchase several months worth of data, which created an unusually large billing cycle. After June, the opt-out will limit the InforME customer base, but InforME should continue to serve most of the high-volume regular customers.

III. Marketing

• Now that InforME has passed its one-year anniversary (April 15), external marketing efforts will increase, focusing on user groups, associations, community organizations, and business committees. There will be more advertising done to promote services where possible. The goal will be to reach both citizens and user groups. The marketing plan will help strategize marketing endeavors.

IV. Web design projects

• (Please refer to General Managers Report for project specifics.) The InforME design team has experienced an increase in Web design requests with the success of the new Maine State site design.

V. Project matrix (please refer to the General Manager�s Report matrix)

• The �Janus� NT server is still at BIS. InforME is waiting for the completion of the Legislative session, and for the T1 connection to be complete before moving Janus to InforME.

• Rapid Renewal - InforME plans to draft the technical standards for exchanging data, and dispersing funds from bank to the participating municipalities.

• UCC/Corp bulk data is now available to customers.

• Fax-back system for motor vehicle data is currently being developed. InforME continues researching the details on the telecom side before building the technical end.

Programming:

• InforME has created a mirror server to back up the www.state.me.us server, which will be housed at BIS.

• OLR: prototype of online license renewal form is complete. Currently in the process of negotiating data delivery and credit card transaction mechanism.

• Credit Card server is installed to automatically authorize credit cards. This will automate IF&W transactions very soon.

• Installed Java server engine software. This will enable customers to customize the state web site, and is useable for future web applications.

VI. Other

• Webmaster services

InforME is building an online class that will be available on the Maine state site. In addition, InforME will build an application that allows Webmasters the ability to put small databases online.

• Advertisement posted

InforME designed and posted a banner advertisement on Mainetoday.com to promote the purchase of fishing licenses online. It has proven to be very successful placement since the advertisement paid for itself in increased transactions.

Question: What are the hit statistics for the Maine site since InforME took management?

Answer: Difficult to measure because InforME, Webster and Janus are currently separate. Once combined, it will be easier to measure the number of visitors to the site.

VII. Board vote

• SLA UCC/Corp � Interactive (see copy of SLA update)

This InforME service will open the UCC/Corp database to business customers. Data will be updated on a daily basis, versus what�s available now, which is updated once a month.

• CEC/Batch Corporate & UCC Records

Will be offered at a price well below the national average.

• Interactive Corporate Certificates of Good Standing

The short-form and long-form will be available. An authenticating logarithm, as well as a graphical representation of the State Seal will enable users to print certificates from their own printers.

Potential customer base for CEC services is very large. Many of these services have been requested for years. In fact, the need for this service was what prompted the genesis of InforME.

Vote: Services and pricing passed unanimously by the Board.

VIII. Web portal standards

• InforME will be creating a Portal Committee to address link discrepancies on the State Web site. Would like a volunteer from the Board. (Dick Hinkley has volunteered)

IX.�� Secretary of State Gwadosky offered a legislative update on pertinent initiatives:

• Internet Commission Recommendations: Credit card and merchant fee, includes language for electronic and digital signatures and requires that state agencies accept credit cards by July 2001. Expect this bill to pass.

• Forms online: L.D. 180 mandates that all agency forms must be online by June 1^st, 2000.

• Laptop proposal adjusted from a $50 million expenditure to a committee, which will determine technology needs and make recommendations for the next Legislative session.

X. Presentations

• InforME presened to the Board the new Driver Cross Check and Rapid Renewal prototypes.