STATE OF CONNECTICUT
NANCY WYMAN COMPTROLLER	OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER 55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775	MARK OJAKIAN DEPUTY COMPTROLLER

State Comptroller Nancy Wyman today announced that the first phase of the state's revamped computer system has been launched, beginning what she called a new era in how the state does business.

"The Dark Ages are over," Wyman said of the start-up of Core-CT. "This new system brings the business of running state government into the 21st century, for both state workers and taxpayers."

The Core-CT system manages state business functions, including payroll, purchasing and personnel. It replaces an outdated, inflexible, labor-intensive system that relied on an inefficient mix of incompatible software.

It also will allow officials for the first time to track where every tax dollar is spent.

The $100 million Core-CT project began more than three years ago with a joint announcement by Wyman and Gov. John G. Rowland that the state's computer system was in dire need of modernization.

Core-CT is being implemented in phases over the next two years. The most basic financial functions required to run the State, including purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and accounting, are now operational. In November, human resources, time and attendance, payroll and benefits administration will come on line. Billing, project and grant administration, asset management, and inventory are planned to be implemented in late 2004. When completed, it is estimated that about 100 outdated computer systems across the State will be retired.

The new system, utilizing ERP (enterprise resource planning) software, integrates basic human-resource, payroll, and financial work for all agencies.

It will:

• Improve Access to Information because users will be able to view and update information on-line and in one system.
• Eliminate administrative activities that add no value, such as redundant keying and reconciliation of data. There will no longer be separate systems that track the same information in different places and result in dual entry for users.
• Facilitate better decision-making by giving managers and users easy access to timely and accurate information.
• Standardize and modernize technology by reducing the variety of computers, programming languages and database packages used in state government.
• Eliminate redundant systems that the agencies use to perform financial and administrative functions that the core system can and should perform.
• Standardize business processes and practices to conform to state statutes, statewide policies, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Greatly enhance the ability to report statewide expenditures by service area or program through implementation of statewide account coding standards for classifying agency programs and projects.

More information can be obtained through the Core-CT website:

www.core-ct.state.ct.us/

The State Comptroller appreciates input on this and other issues from residents of the state. Please feel free to contact her office by phone - (860) 702-3300; mail - OSC, 55 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106; or, via E-mail - osc.opinions@po.state.ct.us

Learn more about the Connecticut Comptroller's Office by calling up our Internet Home Page, at the link below.

For Immediate Release
July 9, 2003

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