Information Services
Information Services collects, assimilates, and reports data. It facilitates information sharing and decision-making throughout the agency and at each technical college.

• In FY01, the Data Center began implementation of a data warehouse that will provide access to the vast amounts of information stored throughout the agency and a unified interface for reporting and analyses.

• Expansion of the DTAE Knowledge Management System (KMS), a Web-based communications and reporting interface, provides information and reporting for all units within the agency. In the future, certain components will be externally accessible to promote interagency efforts and collaborations.
  

Technology Services
Technology Services supports the effective and efficient use of technology in all DTAE units. New technology is continuously evaluated, tested, and implemented. Noteworthy accomplishments in FY01 include:

• Expanded engineering support to schools.
  As technology continues to expand and become more specialized, one of the challenges facing the technical college IT staff is providing advanced technical support and planning. To assist the colleges, central office support staff works with local college IT staff to resolve advanced technical issues and assist with network planning.

• Continuation of BANNER upgrades, training, and module implementation.
  BANNER, DTAE's student information system, is continually upgraded. This neccessitates up-to-date-training and support. This year the Financial Aid module was installed in four waves at the technical colleges. Additional technical support at the central office was supplied to ensure a smooth transition.

• Implementation of stronger network security.
  In order to maintain network security, firewalls were installed at all main campuses. Virus protection software and other security tools were also installed.

• Staff Technology Training.
  Software certification training is provided for all staff members, with additional advanced certified training for technology specialists. This training includes Microsoft products, Cisco, Oracle, BANNER student information system, PeopleSoft accounting and human resource system, and other industry-certified training.
  

Planning

Strategic Planning
DTAE successfully met the "Guidelines for Georgia's 2002 Strategic Planning Process", which consolidated the annual planning requirements for the Office of Planning and Budget, Georgia Technology Authority, and Georgia Merit System into three integrated plans.

Strategic Plan
The FY02 strategic plan includes eight strategic goals that create a framework for action.

• Student Success Through Technical Programs

• Student Access to Seamless Technical Education

• Improved Literacy Through Adult Education

• Training and Services for Economic Development

• Educational Awareness for Community Development

• Accountability Through Effective and Efficient Management

• Development of DTAE's Internal Workforce

• Information Technology for Extended and Enhanced Services
  

Information Technology Plan
The information technology plan provides a detailed analysis of major information technology projects that support DTAE strategic goals and objectives. Projects include the following:

• Web-based communication and reporting interface for DTAE data system

• BANNER upgrades, utilization, and training

• Technology refresh to replace obsolete instructional computers

• Connectivity to meet college demands for increased bandwidth

• Local area network development and security

• Staff technology training

• Instructional technology, Georgia Virtual Technical College, and distance learning development

• Enterprise messaging
  

Workforce Plan
Workforce planning efforts focused on profiling the current internal workforce to project a future business and staffing outlook. DTAE's workforce plan supports agency strategic goals and objectives, business functions, technology initiatives, staffing, and budget requests.

Initiatives Process
Through the DTAE initiatives process, innovations evolve from research and development pilots to statewide initiatives that establish DTAE's core services/standard products and business practices. For five years, the three-step initiatives process has proven to be effective as new objectives are met and continuous improvement and progress are assured.

Resource Development

Nonprofit Management Certification
DTAE's Resource Development Office and The Advancement Executive Network (TAEN) completed the annual certification training in nonprofit management for technical college advancement officers. The course covers the basic responsibilities of the advancement office, including foundation board development, prospect research, legal issues, record-keeping and accounting, and the case for support and fundraising campaigns. This year, certificates in nonprofit management will be issued to eight advancement officers who completed the course. Forty-eight certificates in nonprofit management have been awarded since the inception of the program in FY98.

Technical College Foundation Association
The Technical College Foundation Association (TCFA) was established in 1998 through the collaboration of DTAE with the technical college presidents and foundation boards. TCFA' s purpose is to provide foundation board trustees with opportunities for increased training programs, networking, fundraising, and advocacy on behalf of their local technical college. Thirty-two foundation boards are members of TCFA. The Second Annual TCFA Conference was held in August 2000, attracting 26 percent more participants than the previous year's conference.

Consulting Services
The DTAE Resource Development Office provides no-cost consulting services to all technical colleges. Services include foundation board development, executive leadership support, promotional brochures and videos, major gifts campaign plans, and community awareness.

TechMatch Program
Since July 1999, technical colleges have been eligible to apply for a grant of state matching funds from DTAE towards the purchase of equipment for instructional programs. Funds or equipment donations received by each technical college raised from the private sector by the technical college are matched up to a certain amount, depending on student enrollment. This program encourages technical colleges to establish relationships with local businesses and industries. This relationship enables technical colleges to maintain programs that provide businesses with the skilled workers they need. The enormous success of the program has resulted in the allocation of $9 million to match the funds or equipment donations raised since its implementation.

The Georgia Fund for Technical and Adult Education
The Georgia Fund (GFTAE) is a 501 (c) (3) corporation that operates on behalf of the DTAE and its technical colleges. Its mission is to benefit all entities of the DTAE, and to assist business and industry in Georgia through the preparation and continual development of a productive and skilled workforce by securing resources that enhance the statewide technical and adult delivery system. GFTAE has four areas of responsibility: advocacy, friends raising, fund raising, and funds administration. Employee tax deductions for payroll donations to the local foundation are made possible for technical colleges through use of the Georgia Fund. DTAE units may deposit their private sector donations into Georgia Fund accounts held in their name and for their use.