About Us

Mission and Purpose

TexasOnline, the official eGovernment web site for the State of Texas, is a nationally recognized, award-winning portal developed by the Texas Department of Information Resources and a private contractor, BearingPoint. TexasOnline is a self-funded business model that requires no general appropriation from the State. As a fully integrated web portal and eCommerce solution, TexasOnline has seamlessly integrated state and local governments into a “one stop shop” for citizens.

TexasOnline is intended to serve as the official compilation of Texas government electronic resources, both at the state and local levels, and as an index of Texas governmental or taxing authority web sites and services.

Since 2000, TexasOnline has grown to over 800 online services, providing citizens and businesses with a myriad of opportunities to interact with state agencies and local governments via the Internet. In order to meet the ever-growing demands of citizens for a technologically advanced and personalized web experience, TexasOnline has incorporated the following enhancements:

Improved citizen interaction via user feedback toolbars
Incorporated localized and dynamic updates such as RSS feeds for news, weather, and traffic
Increased multimedia content
Improved personalization capabilities
Increased user-centric services through enhancements to user-scenario tabs
Enhanced navigation, layout and design

The layout and design of TexasOnline is the result of a collaborative effort between the Texas Department of Information Resources, BearingPoint, and many agencies and organizations across all branches of government and industry providing input in the form of comments and suggestions.

TexasOnline provides state agencies and local governments with the ability to:

Expand online services. TexasOnline works directly with state agencies and local government entities to develop customized applications and offer back-end systems integration, which improves operational efficiency.
Use flexible, service-oriented architecture. The TexasOnline platform supports multiple applications and databases at lower average costs, allowing more state agencies and local government entities to participate.
Automate paper-based processes. TexasOnline has automated many manual processes which has led to improved customer service levels.
Utilize a secure environment. TexasOnline takes a proactive approach by providing world-class 24/7 Internet security infrastructure.
Provide customer support. The TexasOnline account representative team provides meaningful, custom support services to state and local clients, handling approximately 3,500 escalated citizen calls each year.
Deliver a common payment system. The TexasOnline payment solution provides a secure online payment system for more than 1.5 million financial transactions each month.

Providing the www.TexasOnline.com web site is a public service, meeting the mission of the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) which includes:

To improve public access to government information, programs, and services.
To provide a mechanism for state government to become more efficient, effective, and responsive to the public through the use of online web portals.
To provide a tool to improve cross-agency or cross-boundary organizational collaboration activity on significant policy and/or administrative issues among Texas state government employees.
To support state agencies’ uses of the web to achieve their missions.
To expedite state government’s internal functions.

We sincerely hope you find this site useful, informative, and enjoyable.

Key Statistics

Since inception in 2000, TexasOnline has:

Received more than 125 million citizen visits
Processed more than 80 million financial transactions
Generated more than $6 billion General Fund collections

In addition, TexasOnline:

Supports more than 800 services/applications from over 300 participating state agencies and local governments
Manages more than 5 million intrusion attacks every year
Delivers a common payment system
Provides a secure, accessible, and bilingual user experience
Handles more than 115,000 citizen calls annually

Contact Us

If you would like to learn more about TexasOnline or how to join over 300 other satisfied state agencies and local governments on TexasOnline, please contact:

Connie Pechal

Department of Information Resources

512.463.5159

connie.pechal@dir.state.tx.us

Bill Rogers

BearingPoint

512.542.5336

bill.rogers@bearingpoint.com

Press Kit

Our press kit includes news releases, a TexasOnline Brochure (PDF), and copies of press coverage. Please view components of the press kit.

For news media questions, please contact Connie Pechal, DIR, by telephone at 512.463.5159 or by email at connie.pechal@dir.state.tx.us, or Erika Whitt, BearingPoint, by telephone at 512.542.3568 or by email at Erika.Whitt@bearingpoint.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of the Department of Information Resources (DIR)?

The Department of Information Resources, a Texas state agency, is responsible for developing the self-supporting model and for taking a statewide approach to electronic government in Texas, enabling all levels of government to participate in a common electronic framework for online government. DIR is responsible for overseeing the general operations of TexasOnline, developing policies relating to TexasOnline operations, evaluating services to be provided on TexasOnline, and overseeing money generated for the operation and expansion of TexasOnline.

What services does TexasOnline provide?

The TexasOnline portal is a convenient way for governmental entities to provide online services and transactions to their customers. The portal is designed with the following attributes in mind:

Stringent web site security and privacy policies, including regular security audits, thorough intrusion testing, authentication services ranging from passwords to PKI solutions, and reviews by an independent security and audit compliance team
Scalable, service-oriented architecture that allows for rapid expansion and changes to applications
24x7 uptime availability with around the clock customer support via a fully staffed call center for citizen requests
Ability to trace transactions throughout the system
Common payment system that securely processes fee-based transactions via ACH, credit, and debit cards with back-end integration and reporting
Accessibility compliance with the Americans for Disabilities Act and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Bilingual web site with online services provided in both English and Spanish
Web application development services including customized applications and back-end systems integration to improve operational efficiency
Personalized Agency support via the TexasOnline Account Representative Team
Assistance with marketing including collateral development, event presence, advertising campaigns, and other related activities

How is TexasOnline funded?

The Texas Legislature mandated that the TexasOnline portal be self-supporting, with no funding to be provided by the State. The contract with BearingPoint allows for multiple options for funding. Options include convenience fees, subscription fees, fees for premium services, or cost-sharing with the agency. The contract recognizes that not all agencies 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.

Agencies 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. BearingPoint will work with agencies to assess the business case for each individual application, and help to determine the appropriate funding mechanism. After BearingPoint recoups the initial setup costs, the state will share in the revenue generated by the applications on the portal.

Senate Bill 187 requires TexasOnline to charge a subscription fee to 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 an annually-renewed occupational license and $10 for a biennially-renewed license.

How does TexasOnline enhance state operations?

Citizens should find it easy and efficient to interact with government online. One of the primary goals of TexasOnline is to provide an innovative, cost-effective online portal that seamlessly integrates state and local government entities into a “one-stop shop” for citizens to interact and conduct business with Texas government.

We also anticipate that agencies will gain efficiencies from offering online services and transaction opportunities as an alternative to walk-in or mail-in transactions. In the long term, we envision that TexasOnline will provide added benefits to agencies by enabling citizens who interact with multiple enter to enter information once and have it reused appropriately.

What is TexasOnline’s approach to concerns about privacy?

The state and its agencies own the information collected by 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 which details how information is collected and handled.

How secure is TexasOnline?

The TexasOnline portal uses the same secure, reliable technologies that were developed by BearingPoint for NetAid, one of the largest, most secure web sites ever developed. BearingPoint also leverages extensive security practices experience from other commercial, state, and federal project engagements. Upgraded tools and processes allow TexasOnline to address potential new security threats – TexasOnline successfully manages and blocks more than one million intrusion attacks each year. Furthermore, TexasOnline performs regular security audits and thorough intrusion testing, and is reviewed by an independent security and audit compliance team. Authentication services are also offered by the portal with options including passwords, PIN numbers, and PKI solutions.

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 in one step. TexasOnline also offers a staffed 800-number call center that will assist citizens with technical questions.

If an agency or local government already has a web development vendor/initiative, can I use TexasOnline?

Yes, governmental entities can work with other vendors. BearingPoint 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 and as such maintains guidelines and specifications for portal operations. For example, relative to security issues, all applications and systems must conform to TexasOnline security standards.

Where is TexasOnline housed?

TexasOnline is hosted at the Texas State DataCenter (TSDC) in San Angelo, Texas.

How can state agencies, local governments and the educational community participate?

Participation in TexasOnline is voluntary. However, SB187 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,
Any other applications that require security.

TexasOnline can host an application, so state agencies and local governments can 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.

How did TexasOnline originate?

In 1999, the Texas Legislature authorized a pilot study to create an eGovernment framework that would provide citizens, local government, and state agencies with a single, secure service structure to conduct business over the Internet. The Legislature mandated that the framework be self-supporting, with no funding to be provided by the State. Furthermore, participation by state agencies and local governments would be voluntary. The framework would have to be sold on its own merits to government entities varying widely in size, sophistication, needs, and availability of resources.

BearingPoint responded to an RFO issued by the Electronic Government Task Force and was awarded the contract in May 2000 to develop and operate the portal for the State of Texas. BearingPoint is responsible for the equipment setup and ongoing operation of the portal, including the Website, hardware, software, and staffing. BearingPoint provides the interfaces for online payments and for the front-end applications on the Web. They also provide marketing/awareness assistance, both for the portal and for the individual applications.

Where can I get more information about TexasOnline Program?

TexasOnline has a Web site at www.dir.state.tx.us/egov/ that contains additional information. TexasOnline also holds monthly meetings that are open to the public. Meeting times and locations are available at the Website.

Where can I get more information about participating in TexasOnline?

Contact the TexasOnline Webmaster by telephone at 512.475.4700 or by email at webmaster@dir.state.tx.us. You may also contact Bill Rogers, BearingPoint, by telephone at 512.542.5336 or by email at bill.rogers@bearingpoint.com.

Awards

TexasOnline

TexasOnline.com has won several prestigious awards which are:

: In their seventh annual study, researchers at Brown University’s Taubman Center for Public Policy ranked www.TexasOnline.com #1—the best online government services web site compared to all other state portals, August 2006.
: The State of Texas was ranked in 11th place in the "Electronic Commerce Category" in the 2001 Digital State Survey From the Center for Digital Government
October 2001
: "Government Technology Leadership Award" ("Gracie") From Government Executive magazine
November 2001
: "George Mitchell Payments System Excellence Award" From NACHA--The Electronic Payments Association
March 2002
: "E-Gov 2002-Trailblazer Award" From E-Gov
April 2002
: "Excellence Award for the Innovative Use of Technology in State Agencies" From the Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications
May 2002
: 5th place in the 2002 "Best of the Web" Contest for State Government From the Center for Digital Government
September 2002
: "Excellence in IT Collaboration" Award in the 2002 Best of the Texas Contest From the Center for Digital Government and Government Technology
November 2002
: Computerworld Honors Program Finalist
April 2003
: 2003 American Council for Technology Intergovernmental Solutions Award Winner
May 2003
: Finalist, National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council (NECCC) Cost Effectiveness Through E-Government Award, Internet Occupational License Renewal System
August 2003
: "Excellence Award for the Innovative Use of Technology in State Agencies" from the Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications
August 2005
: "Best of the Texas Award - Demonstrated Excellence in Project Collaboration" for the Licenses, Permits and Registrations System from the Center for Digital Government
October 2005
: Winner of the 2006 Center for Digital Government Achievement Award in the Government-to-Government category for the TexasOnline Vital Records Application service. This service allows citizens to order Texas birth and death certificates or verifications, as well as marriage and divorce verifications online.

City of Houston

One of our partners, the City of Houston, has also been given several recognitions:

: The City of Houston was ranked as a Finalist in the "Best of the Web Category for Cities with a Population of More than 250,000" in the 2001 Digital Cities Survey From the Center for Digital Government
November 2001
: "Four Star Review" From the MUNINet Guide and Review
February 2002
: Winner, 2003 Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers TAMI Award
July 2003

City of Dallas

One of our partners, the City of Dallas, has also been given several recognitions:

: 5th place in the 2002 "Best of the Web" Contest for Local Government From the Center for Digital Government
September 2002
: Finalist, 2003 Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers TAMI Award
July 2003
: 5th place in the 2003 "Best of the Web" Contest from the Center for Digital Government
September 2003

Photo Credits on TexasOnline

TexasOnline acknowledges the following photographers or organizations as sources of some photographs used on TexasOnline.

Homepage:
- Photo of the Day - Texas Parks and Wildlife
- Girl on Cow - Jessica Osborne

Other Helpful Numbers

If you would like to contact us, here are several phone numbers:

For technical assistance, call toll-free 1.877.452.9060 or email webhelp@texasonlinehelp.com.
For eligibility or fee-related questions, please call the agency. Frequently called numbers are: Department of Public Safety at 512.424.2600
Texas Department of Transportation at 512.465.7611
Texas Tomorrow Fund at 800.445.GRAD.
For assistance with offering a new government service on www.TexasOnline.com, please contact Bill Rogers, BearingPoint, by telephone at 512.542.5336 or bill.rogers@bearingpoint.com

Speakers Bureau

If you would like a representative from TexasOnline to speak at a professional association meeting on issues such as portal security or marketing, please contact Connie Pechal, DIR, by telephone at 512.463.5159 or by email at connie.pechal@dir.state.tx.us.

About Us

Official Portal of Texas