View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2008/09/29/94120.htm
The National Association of Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has awarded the California Department of Insurance third place in the 2008 Recognition Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology in State Government.
“The California Department of Insurance is working hard to infuse innovation into California state government,” said Commissioner Steve Poizner, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur before entering public service. ” The Department of Insurance will continue to harness new technology as a way to provide the best possible service for consumers.”
There were more than 114 submissions to this year’s competition in 10 categories by 30 states. Last month, NASCIO selected 30 state IT initiatives in 10 categories as finalists for the 2008 Recognition Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology in State Government. NASCIO named CDI’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Replacement Project as a finalist for outstanding achievement in information communication technology innovations.
The Department’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Replacement Project was completed in 2008 and involved the replacement of a nearly 20-year old system with voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) infrastructure. Included in the replacement was the installation of 1,500 handsets, 150 softphones, and several call center applications. DOI said the transition enabled it to better serve California consumers, in addition to saving $80,000 per year in long distance charges and communication lines.
During the 2007 Southern California wildfires, the VoIP technology enabled CDI Consumer Services staff to receive calls from fire victims during non-business hours. CDI staff was able to offer advice, information and claims-processing tips from their homes during weekends and after work, using softphone technology.
Source: DOI