6/12/08 - MyFloridaMarketPlace Recognized with Prestigious Laureate Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 2008

MYFLORIDAMARKETPLACE RECOGNIZED WITH PRESTIGIOUS LAUREATE AWARD

~ State's advanced online purchasing system streamlines purchases, saving state millions ~

TALLAHASSEE - Department of Management Services Secretary Linda H. South announced that MyFloridaMarketPlace, the state's online purchasing system for employees and vendors, is honored as a 2008 Laureate by the Computerworld Honors Program. The Computerworld Honors Program is the longest running global program honoring individuals and organizations that use information technology to benefit society. Recipients are honored at an awards gala in June.

"The recent upgrade to MyFloridaMarketPlace simplifies and streamlines the purchasing process even further for state employees to obtain products and services and for the vendors providing them," said Secretary South. "I am proud of the MyFloridaMarketPlace team for making this project a success and improving the way we serve those who serve Florida."

MyFloridaMarketPlace upgraded its system last year with major functional changes made in part by direction and collaboration of 12 state agencies. The upgrade included leading-edge system performance management capabilities creating a more productive system. The upgrade helped standardize the purchasing and accounting users across all agencies reducing the number of unique users from more than 2,000 to 32 resulting in more efficient administration. The upgrade was supported by a strong training effort by the MyFloridaMarketPlace team.

"We are honored to be recognized for the hard work and innovation our team invests in MyFloridaMarketPlace," said Division of State Purchasing Director Charles Covington. "We are constantly exploring new ways to make it more user-friendly and efficient for the valuable state employees and vendors who rely on it."

The Computerworld Honors program unites leaders of the world's foremost IT companies in recognizing the most outstanding user achievements in technology each year. Each year members identify organizations whose use of IT has been especially noteworthy for the originality of its conception, the breadth of its vision and the significance of its benefits to society. Recipients are recognized at the 20th Annual Laureates Medal Ceremony and Gala Awards Evening June 2, at the Andrew M. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

For information on MyFloridaMarketPlace, visit: http://dms.MyFlorida.com/.

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