Commonwealth Office of Technology

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COT FAQ

What is the Commonwealth Office of Technology (COT)?

COT is an office in the executive branch of state government within the Finance and Administration Cabinet (http://finance.ky.gov/)

What is COT's mission?

To provide leadership in the use of information technology to enhance government services, improve decision making, promote efficiency and eliminate waste.

What is COT's statutory authority?

Pursuant to Executive Order 2004-723, signed on July 9, 2004, the Governor’s Office for Technology (GOT) was abolished, and the Commonwealth Office of Technology (COT) was established within the Finance and Administration Cabinet. COT is headed by an Executive Director appointed by the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet. The Executive Director of COT also serves as the state's Commissioner of Technology and Chief Information Officer. Statutory authority and responsibilities of the Commissioner of Technology and the Commonwealth Office of Technology are established in KRS 11.511 and 11.507.

What does COT do?

COT carries out the functions necessary for the efficient, effective and economical administration of information technology (IT) and related resources within the executive branch of state government. These duties include:

• Overseeing shared IT infrastructure resources and services, including large-scale computing, server hosting, IT security, data and voice communication networks, and phone systems
• Developing and implementing statewide IT applications
• Identifying IT applications that should be statewide in scope and ensuring that these applications are not developed independently or duplicated by individual agencies of the executive branch
• Performing strategic and tactical planning for information technology
• Establishing IT policy and standards
• Assessing, recommending and implementing IT governance and organization design
• Establishing partnerships and alliances for effective implementation of IT projects
• Coordinating efforts to increase Kentucky's use of Geographic Information Systems

How is COT organized and staffed?

COT has approximately 500 employees and 100 contractors, and is organized into three major offices:

• Office of Infrastructure Services
• Office of Enterprise Technology
• Office of Application Development

Click for additional information, including COT's executive management staff and a link to a current organization chart.

How is COT funded?

COT does not receive general funding and depends on revenue derived from customer receipts through rated services. COT operates on a zero-based budget requiring total recovery of costs incurred in providing each service that COT offers to its customers. The rated services are chargeable to COT customers based on usage and provide the basis for recovering the operating and supporting costs incurred by COT to provide those rated services.

What major systems are supported by COT?

COT supports dozens of critical statewide systems at the Commonwealth Data Center. Some of these include:

• Statewide E-mail (click to see E-mail FAQ)
• Statewide Financial and Accounting System (eMARS)
• Numerous human services applications (KAMES, KASES, TWIST)
• Vehicle registration (Automated Vehicle Information System)
• Dozens of other mission-critical applications

What are COT's Goals?

COT strives to transform the commonwealth’s use of information technology (IT) to improve the efficiency of state government and its delivery of services to Kentucky citizens. COT has six major goals, as follows:

1. Establish Enterprise Governance for Information Technology
2. Provide an Acceptable Return on Investment in Information Technology
3. Reduce Risk and Improve Quality of Outcomes
4. Provide Quality Service to the Customer
5. Promote Technology in Kentucky’s Education Systems
6. Assist in the Attraction and Retention of Technology and Knowledge-based Companies to Kentucky

Click for additional information about these goals and specific objectives related to them.

Where is COT located?

COT executive offices are located at 101 Cold Harbor Drive in Frankfort. COT has other offices in various locations around Frankfort, and in Bowling Green and London, Kentucky. Click here for a list of all COT office locations.

How can I contact COT?

To contact the executive offices at COT call 502-564-1202. You can also use COT's web contact form.