Caroline County hired A&A to review the County’s current technology situation and to make recommendations for improving its systems. A&A IT Manager Dan Brabrand analyzed the County’s network infrastructure and phone system, and interviewed various County departmental staff to gain an in-depth understanding of its operations. Currently, the County is faced with limited connectivity and collaboration, a lack of centralized services, and a phone system with high monthly costs and few features. After extensive research, Dan developed a five-year IT Plan for Caroline County. This plan provides for the County’s impending growth and suggests improvements, such as the installation of a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), creation of a County IT Department, development of an Intranet, and implementation of a document imaging system.

In addition to the network and phone system recommendations, Dan also outlined a plan for the development of a Geographic Information System, which would be served over the Internet. This proposed system could include items as basic as countywide mapping and parcel information, yet could also have added features such as monthly dwelling statistic reports necessary for building permits or even a Rural Addition Program that would easily identify right-of-way needs and automate the notification of property owners. These recommendations offer the County improved efficiency and collaboration, increased reliability and productivity, and a solid foundation for future IT needs.

Although the process is straightforward, there are many intricate details that need attention for the plan to be beneficial and functional. Not only did A&A want to recommend services and upgrades, but the firm also wanted to evaluate which improvements would cause the least disruption to the County’s operations and recommend enhancements that would benefit all County departments. "No matter where a locality is technologically, it is important that they have a plan to meet their needs such that each new improvement fits with the plan," explains Dan. This replaces temporary fixes with long-term solutions and maximizes the impact of IT expenditures.

"We are very pleased with the IT Needs Assessment Anderson and Associates prepared for us," said John Sieg, Caroline County Finance Director. "We are a small County with limited IT resources and the A&A team gave us the kind of comprehensive plan we needed to move forward."