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Albany, NY - The Center for Technology in Government was recently honored with the New York State Forum’s Best of the Web award for its online XML Toolkit. The NYS Forum annually recognizes the innovative use of Web technology by New York state and local governments. The awards are given based on innovative use of technology, value to client, and cost efficiency to the agency. 

The XML Toolkit provides resources, examples, and code for use in developing XML-based Web sites. It is based on lessons learned from CTG's XML Testbed Project, which assisted five NYS agencies in developing prototypes and business cases for XML-based Web sites. The design and components of the XML Toolkit were then developed in consultation with the testbed team members.

"The Center began its use of XML for Web site management over five years ago," said Jim Costello, CTG's Webmaster, who accepted the award on behalf of the Center, at the Forum's Annual Meeting on Friday, September 8, 2006. "Since that time, the Center's involvement with the Forum, its IT Accessibility Committee, and its Webmasters Guild, has expanded our knowledge of XML and its valuable application for managing Web content."

The www.xmltoolkit.org site was developed to help NYS agencies and others to implement XML-based Web site management for the savings and efficiencies in streamlined workflow, consistency of content, and accuracy of information. CTG itself has experienced over 50% reduction in Web maintenance costs due to automation of redundant and non-value-added tasks via XML.

The site, in addition to the code samples developed by CTG, includes numerous annotated links to other resources in the XML and Web design community. It is designed to be a user-friendly browsing arena for those interested in XML and is in compliance with NYS accessibility requirements for Web sites. CTG drew on its relationships and experience with XML over the past several years -- from vendors to users to industry experts -- in building this site. It is intended to be a "living" Web site with regular updates and additions.

The mission of the Center for Technology in Government at the University at Albany is to foster public sector innovation, enhance capability, generate public value, and support good governance. We carry out this mission through applied research, knowledge sharing, and collaboration at the intersection of policy, management, and technology. 

The University at Albany-SUNY has a broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, life-enhancing research and scholarship, and a commitment to public service. A University at Albany education brings the world within reach to students through nine schools and colleges, and an honors college. A student body of more than 17,000 students has a global connection to more than 140,000 alumni. For more information about this internationally ranked institution, visit www.albany.edu. For UAlbany's extensive roster of faculty experts, visit www.albany.edu/news/experts.php.

The NYS Forum is a member organization of information resource management leadership in New York state and local government agencies whose mission is to promote policies and practices for effective development, use and management of information resources in New York State. Visit NYSFIRM online at https://nysforum.org/.