NIC Launches Issue Brief Series on eGovernment Best Practices

OLATHE, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NIC Inc. (Nasdaq: EGOV), the nation’s premier provider of eGovernment services, is sponsoring a series of issue briefs developed by the Center for Digital Government that focus on eGovernment best practices in funding sources, mobile technology, innovation, customer service, and other topics.

“With more than half of all American adults accessing the Internet through a smartphone device, mobile is quickly becoming the primary means for interacting with government and our partners are leading the way in building these new citizen-friendly solutions.”

The first report, “Mobile-Enabled Services: Improving Citizen Access and Decreasing Costs,” launched in the August issue of Public CIO magazine (http://www.public-cio.com). The report notes the transformation of government websites from the static, agency-oriented pages of the mid-1990s to the smartphone-capable portals and optimized services currently offered by a growing number of governments.

“NIC is pleased to partner with both Public CIO magazine and the Center for Digital Government to make this information on mobile technology available,” said Harry Herington, NIC CEO and Chairman of the Board. “With more than half of all American adults accessing the Internet through a smartphone device, mobile is quickly becoming the primary means for interacting with government and our partners are leading the way in building these new citizen-friendly solutions.”

To date NIC has developed more than 60 native mobile applications for state and federal government, ranging from the FBI’s “Most Wanted” to an app for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. NIC has also helped its federal, state, and local government partners introduce hundreds of websites and online services with simplified graphics and content that is optimized for smartphone users.

The report notes the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division’s use of mobile technology. The division’s mobile applications include locating branch offices and current wait times, tracking the status of a driver’s license application, locating ports of entry for commercial drivers, and more.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve customer service, prevent people from having to come to our over-taxed service centers, and provide people with alternatives that make it easier for them to do business with us,” said Alicia C. Ortiz, Deputy Director of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division.

The report also highlights several mobile optimized services in Arkansas, including the YOUniversal financial aid system that consolidates the scholarship and grant application process for 21 higher education institutions across the state. More than 12 percent of all traffic to the YOUniversal service is currently coming from mobile devices.

The eGovernment best practices issue brief series can be downloaded from Government Technology’s Innovation Nation website (http://www.govtech.com/innovationnation), which provides a comprehensive view of government portal functionality across all 50 states.

About the Center for Digital Government

The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. Through its diverse and dynamic programs and services, the Center provides public and private sector leaders with decision support, knowledge, and opportunities to help them effectively incorporate new technologies in the 21st century. More information can be found at http://www.centerdigitalgov.com.

About NIC

NIC Inc. (NASDAQ: EGOV) is the nation’s premier provider of official government websites, online services and secure payment processing solutions. The company’s innovative eGovernment services help reduce costs and increase efficiencies for government agencies, citizens and businesses across the country. The NIC family of companies provides eGovernment solutions for more than 3,000 federal, state and local agencies across the United States. Additional information is available at http://www.egov.com.