Some IT work stays well out of view, even when its impact is quite apparent.  The efforts of GTA's Data Sharing Services team provide an example.  The team enables state applications and systems to communicate with each other, creating interoperability that allows agencies to share data securely among authorized partners.  Hardly glamorous, but important to Georgia.

The work takes shape as the Enterprise Service Bus - the "vehicle" for moving data among applications and systems. Over the past decade or so, the team has constructed 48 touchpoints connecting agencies served by the GETS program, smaller agencies and the federal government. The touchpoints process more than 800,000 transactions each day to satisfy more than 350 separate business processes. The Enterprise Service Bus uses Software AG's webMethods middleware technology stack, rated as a best-of-breed product. The team works to make sure all data is exchanging properly and readily available.

That's the behind-the-scenes part.  More important is what data sharing means for agencies and the Georgians they serve.  For example, the team works with the Georgia Department of Human Services to deny or suspend vehicle and state licenses from parents who owe child support.  The process involves collecting data and connecting systems within DHS and the departments of Driver Services, Natural Resources and Corrections.

The team is also helping to ensure that SUCCESS, a legacy application for determining eligibility for state assistance, is able to communicate with more modern applications and systems until it can be replaced.  The Enterprise Service Bus will play a major role in the state's new Integrated Eligibility System as the main data transmission component between the connecting state and federal business partners.

The work of the Data Sharing Services team will become even more vital as agencies move toward greater sharing of data to provide the convenient and efficient services constituents expect.