VA: Governor Recognizes Virginia ABC’s Innovative IT Tool

News Release

By the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

September 23, 2016

RICHMOND – Prior to the launch of its Business Intelligence Project the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) was data rich but information poor—the agency created billions of bits of data each year but had too few pathways that allowed the information to be fully utilized. Virginia ABC saw that more could be done to better understand, and more importantly use, the raw numbers and designed an information technology tool to do just that.

The project was recently recognized with a Governor’s Technology Award in the Innovative Use of Big Data and Analytics category. The award was presented to Virginia ABC’s Business Intelligence Project team by Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson and Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth Nelson Moe at the Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) in Richmond on Sept. 7.

“Enhancing information technology systems and making data-driven decisions are strategic priorities for our agency,” said Virginia ABC Chairman Jeffrey Painter. “The Governor’s Technology Award is one more confirmation that we continue to make great strides to ensure we are operating as a 21st century business.”

The Business Intelligence Project—one of 17 Governor’s Technology Award winners—offers Virginia ABC cost savings and risk mitigation through the elimination of outdated information technology reporting software. It also reduces paper reports, increases information sharing among divisions, eliminates repetitive work and decreases data request bottlenecks.

A five-person team has been working on various enhancements to the Business Intelligence Project since it launched in late 2014. Secretary Jackson recognized Virginia ABC as having one of the winning teams that included women, noting that she was encouraged to see them on the stage accepting awards and inspiring the next generation to get involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics initiatives.

“I am also proud that work at Virginia ABC is contributing to the state receiving the top ranking in the national 2016 Digital States Survey for its use of IT modernization to realize operational efficiencies,” Painter said.

Contact: Jennifer Guild

Phone: 804-325-8468

Email: Jennifer.guild@abc.virginia.gov

Web: www.abc.virginia.gov

Facebook and Twitter: @VirginiaABC