Frequently Asked Questions
What is TexasOnline?
TexasOnline is the
state’s official electronic government (e-government) Web
portal for the citizens and business of Texas. TexasOnline serves
as the one-stop-shop for Texas government information and services.
TexasOnline is more than a government website; it is a
self-supporting public-private partnership with industry e-Commerce
leaders.
How can TexasOnline enhance your government
operation?
Governments will gain efficiencies from
offering online transactions through TexasOnline. Because agency
legacy systems can be integrated with the state treasury and
accounting systems, agencies will see a reduction in the manual
processing required in providing services.
TexasOnline provides a secure technical and service
infrastructure that can be used by all state and local governmental
entities to provide "economies of scale." By sharing the processes
and systems of TexasOnline, government entities are able to reduce
"redundancy of effort."
What services does TexasOnline provide?
The TexasOnline portal is a convenient way for governmental
entities to provide online transactions to their customers. The
portal is designed with the following infrastructure services
available to governmental entities:
- Strong Web site security. Security includes
authentication services ranging from passwords to PKI
solutions.
- Common hardware and software. This common architecture
is scalable and allows for rapid expansion and changes to
applications.
- 24x7 availability. Having 24x7 capability improves the
customer service that government provides to the public. Citizens
and businesses from all over the world can access Texas government
information and services anytime, anywhere.
- Call center services. Because TexasOnline is a 24x7
enterprise, call center services are also available 24x7 to assist
citizens with use of the site and technical questions.
- Common payment system. TexasOnline accepts both credit
cards and electronic funds transfer payments. In addition,
interfaces can be developed to link legacy systems to
TexasOnline’s electronic payment system.
- Web application development services. TexasOnline will
develop the online applications. Where feasible, TexasOnline
develops templates and component libraries to reuse code. Many
applications require the same field format. Component reuse will
reduce time and resources required for development.
- Outreach marketing to customers. TexasOnline will work
with each government entity to develop a marketing plan to guide
their customers to use the online service.
- Bilingual Web site. A Spanish version of TexasOnline
is available. TexasOnline will also work with agencies to make
their services available in Spanish.
- ADA compliance. In an effort to serve those with
disabilities, TexasOnline remains ADA compliant. In addition,
TexasOnline continues to improve its services through usability
testing and focus groups.
How secure is TexasOnline?
The portal
uses the same secure, reliable technologies that have been
developed for most secure Web sites. The portal uses a combination
of firewalls, intrusion detection monitoring and other security
components to ensure the portal is protected from hackers. Data
encryption is utilized on all sensitive information that is
transmitted through TexasOnline. Additionally, no credit card
information is stored on the TexasOnline system.
How does TexasOnline authenticate users?
The portal utilizes Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) based security
and authentication at the network level as well as the application
level using Verisign Onsite.
What is TexasOnline’s approach to
privacy?
Each individual government entity owns the
information collected by its applications on the portal. The owner
of each application will direct how that data is used and released
to the public according to applicable laws. Vendors cannot use it
for any purpose without the owner’s approval. TexasOnline has
a separate privacy policy that details how information is collected
and handled.
How interactive are the services on
TexasOnline?
TexasOnline is very interactive. People
doing business with state agencies and local governments are able
to pay for services online using credit cards or electronic
checking. This enables citizens to collect or report information
and pay any fees due the government in one step. TexasOnline also
offers a staffed 800-number call center that will assist citizens
with use of the site and technical questions.
How is TexasOnline funded?
The
TexasOnline self-supporting funding model allows for multiple
options for funding. The following options are included:
- Convenience fees,
- Subscription fees,
- Fees for premium services, or
- Cost-sharing with the agency.
The contract recognizes that not all state agencies and local
governments are able to charge fees for applications. Furthermore,
there is also flexibility to determine that applications which
serve the public good or which are traditionally offered at no cost
may be offered for free on the portal. Government entities should
be aware that one of the largest expenses for TexasOnline is the
payment of credit card fees, and these costs must be taken into
consideration. TexasOnline will work with agencies and local
governments to assess the business case for each individual
application, and help to determine the appropriate funding
mechanism.
Are there legislative requirements for how certain
entities fund their online services?
SB 187 requires DIR to charge a subscription fee to certain state
licensing agencies that participate in TexasOnline. The
subscription fee is intended to cover the cost of implementation of
online licensing services. Each participating licensing agency is
required to increase their occupational license renewal fees for
their entire licensee population in order to cover the cost of the
subscription fee. The fee cannot exceed $5 for annually renewed or
$10 for biennially renewed licenses.
Where is TexasOnline housed?
TexasOnline
is hosted at the West Texas Disaster Recovery and Operations Center
(WTDROC) in San Angelo, Texas. Northrop Grumman has established a
high-quality Web-hosting facility there.
How was TexasOnline created?
The
Electronic Government Task Force, authorized by the 76th
Legislature, had successfully launched the TexasOnline Internet
portal to provide a single point for citizens and businesses to
access e-government services in Texas. The 77th
Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 187 authored by Senator Eliot
Shapleigh. The bill established a 15-member authority to provide
vision, leadership, and operational oversight for the TexasOnline
portal project.
What is the role of the TexasOnline
Project Management Team at DIR?
DIR is
responsible for developing the self-supporting model and for taking
a statewide approach to the project, enabling all levels of
government to participate in a common electronic framework for
online government. DIR's powers and duties include
the following:
- Consider services to be provided by TexasOnline;
- Operate and promote TexasOnline;
- Manage contract performance of TexasOnline; and
- Evaluate participation in TexasOnline to determine if
performance efficiencies, benefits, and opportunities are gained
through project implementation.
What is BearingPoint's role?
KPMG Consulting was selected through a competitive bidding process
to develop and operate the portal for the State of Texas. BearingPoint, which now manages the duties originally assigned to KPMG, is responsible for the following:
- Development and ongoing operation of the portal;
- Hardware and software;
- Security;
- Telecommunications; and
- Staffing of the TexasOnline facilities.
The TexasOnline facilities are located at the West Texas
Disaster Recovery Operations Center at San Angelo, Texas. BearingPoint is the prime contractor. TexasOnline’s other
private partners are subcontracted through BearingPoint or DIR.
I already have a web development vendor/initiative. Can
I use them on TexasOnline?
Yes, you can work with
other vendors. TexasOnline is also available to work with all Texas
state and local governments. BearingPoint has the responsibility
for the management, operations, and integrity of the system. As the
prime contractor for TexasOnline, BearingPoint maintains the guidelines and
specifications for portal operations. For example, all applications
and systems must conform to TexasOnline security standards.
What is the Department of Information Resources’
(DIR) role in TexasOnline?
SB 187 established the
TexasOnline Division (TxOD) within DIR. DIR has been reorganized. The Service Delivery division is now responsible for the TexasOnline project. DIR focuses on three
functional areas concerning TexasOnline: Program Management,
Planning and Policy, and Operations. Within the scope of these
three areas, the Division will assume the following roles in
support of the TexasOnline project:
- Assist agencies and local governments in bringing their
services to TexasOnline;
- Provide project/contract management of the public/private
partnership for TexasOnline;
- Research and develop technology policies, standards, and
procedures for TexasOnline.
How can state agencies, local governments, and the
educational community participate?
Participation by
local governments is voluntary. Some licensing agencies are
required to use TexasOnline for a profiling system containing
information about their licensees or to implement a system that
allows the licensees to renew licenses online. Additionally, SB 187
requires that state agencies consider the use of TexasOnline for
services provided via the Internet, including:
- Financial transactions;
- Applications for licenses, permits, registrations, and other
related documents;
- Electronic signatures; and
- Any other applications that require security.
If a state agency chooses not to use TexasOnline, it must
provide documentation to DIR.
Where can I get more information about participating in
TexasOnline?
Contact Connie Pechal.
TexasOnline can host a governmental entity’s application.
Doing so gives the government entity an opportunity to take
advantage of the portal infrastructure and security without giving
up control over the information or the application itself.
TexasOnline also has the flexibility of allowing agencies to host
their own applications, although certain standards must be met. The
standards are necessary to protect the integrity and security of
the portal and the applications involved.
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