Department of Commerce

Goals

Update: The Department of Commerce, in collaboration with SITSD, has reached the milestone of 100% digital. This is a milestone to build a foundation for continuous improvement.

Objectives

  • Identify processes that are manual and, if more efficient/cost effective, move to an electronic process

    Update: A process inventory was completed and used as the base scope for digitization of processes.
  • Identify inefficiencies in paper storage and move digital where appropriate
    Update: Over the last biennium, one significant batch of paper storage has been digitized and a sustaining process created.
  • Identify similar processes across the agency and determine if standardized solutions will meet business needs.
    Update: There are several solutions serving grant and loan applications. A project to consolidate solutions was initiated late in the biennium.
  • Improve reporting processes / metrics to support business analysis needs.

    Update: During the early part of the biennium, a system was implemented to consolidate grant metric reporting.

Update: The Department of Commerce Information Technology team has continued to support the agency in purchasing , including analysis of requirements and selection of solutions.

Objectives

  • Collaborate with all divisions to help in technology purchasing decisions and to promote proper purchasing process.

    Update: Increased collaboration and partnership with the divisions through regular meetings and education.
  • Research and promote standardization of desktop technology that supports in-office and remote needs.

    Update: Standardized on two types of laptops for the agency with limited exceptions.
  • Research and promote standardization of shared technology that supports the needs of the business (i.e. meeting room technology)

    Update: By the end of the biennium, upgraded technology in large meeting rooms, setting the standard for other rooms. The solution increases the experience for both in person and remote attendees.

Update: Over the biennium, the Department of Commerce has embraced the ServiceNow platform to deliver digital solutions, including systems for emergency rental assistance, housing assistance, internal digital transformation, and grants applications.

Objectives

  • Keep abreast of technology trends and business needs to be able to identify solutions before the need is realized
    Update: The Department of Commerce has several grant programs that do not share a grant management system. A project has been initiated to implement a system that can be utilized by programs to make it easier for applicants and program managers.

Update: This biennium saw the unprecedented need for supporting remote employees through a pandemic. The support team needed to quickly identify and meet the technology needs of the employees, and the team met the challenge to keep business running.

Objectives

  • Support business members as needed with their hardware and software issues.

    Update: The Information Technology team successfully supported the agency through the last biennium.
  • Identify opportunities for proactive assistance to address trends in support needs.

    Update: As the Information Technology team needed to support individuals remotely, they needed to identify and implement additional tools to more easily assist agency members.

Update: The agency followed the direction of the State of Montana Security team to ensure agency security.

Objectives

  • Support the security of the agency by assessing the security of new and existing technology implementations

    Update:
  • Respond to cybersecurity events in a timely manner
    Update:
  • Uphold the security policies and best practices provided by the State of Montana

    Update:

Agency Contact Information

Agency Director / Administrator
Scott Osterman
406.841.2745
scott.osterman@mt.gov
PO Box 200501, Helena, MT 59620-0501
Information Technology Contact
(CIO / IT Manager)
Angie Miller
406.841.2705
angie.miller2@mt.gov
PO Box 200501, Helena, MT 59620-0501
Information Security Manager
Terry Meagher
406.841.2722
tmeagher@mt.gov
PO Box 200501, Helena, MT 59620-0501