MARKHAM, ON – Markham and York Region are transforming the way they interact online with residents, following a joint decision today to move forward with the development of a new Internet portal.

The first phase of the portal is expected to go live in late 2009. Once fully implemented, residents and businesses will see a dramatic improvement in online service capabilities. The new portal will feature:
• personalized access to municipal services and information
• self-serve capabilities for businesses and constituents
• faster response to customer inquiries
• increased public participation and awareness opportunities – allowing Internet access to information anywhere, anytime.

“We know Markham residents are e-savvy and appreciate the convenience of online services,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “That’s why we are very excited about the new possibilities the Internet portal will provide, and the value it will bring to residents and businesses.”

Markham has been continually increasing its use of online technology – streaming live audio during Council meetings, webcasting public participation programs and developing e-services. The Internet portal technology will add to Markham’s growing list of innovative projects, providing better service and
efficiency for everyday transactions, and advancing its position as a leader in e-government services. Regional Councillor Tony Wong, Chair of Markham’s Information Technology Committee, added, “This initiative reflects Markham’s commitment to an economic development strategy that provides leading
technology to improve services for residents and businesses.”

"As an early advocate of portal technology I am thrilled to see Markham adopting this technology,” said Regional Councillor Jim Jones. “Portal technology represents a new way of doing business for us and is a significant step forward to help improve efficiency in our services to the community.”

Markham approved the portal project in 2007 and since then, has been coordinating the vendor selection process, leading an evaluation team with representatives from York Region, and the Towns of Richmond Hill, Aurora, East Gwillimbury and Newmarket.

Markham, a municipality of more than 285,000 residents centrally located in the Greater Toronto area, is Canada’s most diverse community and home to many of Canada’s leading life science and technology businesses. It is renowned for a rich heritage, vibrant neighbourhoods, and leadership on the environment and urban design. Town of Markham, 101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham, ON L3R 9W3 Tel. 905.477.7000 www.markham.ca

Backgrounder
• Implementation of portal technology will significantly transform the way Markham interacts with its constituents. As an enhanced service delivery medium, portal technology will provide:

o increased customer service through a single entry point to municipal services, information and people
o personalized self-service capabilities to constituents and businesses at any time from anywhere
o faster response to inquiries and public awareness of local government and government transparency
o timely and increased public engagement opportunities, and facilitation of communitybased activities
o interaction between government and citizens, businesses, employees and other jurisdictions
o operational efficiency through faster deployment of municipal information and services
o improved flexibility to expand services.

• The implementation of Internet portal technology is aligned with Markham Council’s strategic priorities that were confirmed by residents in Click With Markham – an online community survey in 2007. This strategy – Building Markham’s Future Together – will see the development of a comprehensive Community Sustainability Plan.

• Focus on improved municipal services is part of Building Markham’s Future Together, and increased access to online services using web-based technology is a key component.
• Markham’s goal is to be a leader in e-government services, and to continue building a knowledge-based community that hosts a large sector of technology companies.
• This partnership initiative with York Region reflects Markham’s interest in capturing efficiencies and providing value for service to its residents.
• Markham is targeting the end of 2009 for the first release of some portal functions and additional functionalities by mid-2010.
• Markham’s current information technology infrastructure is not able to provide the level of online services that customers and employees expect. Some online capabilities are possible with the current infrastructure but these improvements could result in increased maintenance, higher security risks, and falling short of customer needs over time. Also, the current Internet system provides limited opportunities to substantially improve productivity, increase efficiencies in service delivery, or provide residents personalized access to information and services.
• IBM websphere technology was selected, through a competitive process, to set up the technical infrastructure for the joint portal for Markham and York Region.