Arkansas Department of Human Services Taps IBM Smarter Cities Solution for IT Healthcare System Overhaul

ARMONK, N.Y., April 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) will roll out an IBM Smarter Cities solution as part of the state's plan to modernize how it delivers social and healthcare services to citizens. With Big Data analytics, social program management functionality and advanced security capabilities, the new system will reduce cumbersome processes that exist across numerous and disparate information silos.

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"This will be DHS' first step in transforming an IT infrastructure that is composed of more than 30 discrete system silos in an aging architecture," said Dick Wyatt, chief information officer for Arkansas DHS. "Having a total view of our clients in one application — using the latest technology — will provide DHS with the ability to better manage the services provided. In addition, it will give DHS the ability to react more timely and efficiently to the many changes that are occurring and will continue to occur in the human services and healthcare arena."   

Arkansas DHS is beginning an enterprise modernization initiative with a service-oriented architecture to fully integrate all DHS programs, and relevant programs from other departments, into one re-useable and scalable platform. The new system will support a wide array of the state's social programs, including Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Over time, the state plans to integrate social programs across multiple agencies.

With the help of IBM, Arkansas citizens will have a single point of access in determining their benefits eligibility without having to know all the details on all the programs available to them. Moreover, citizens will only need to share information about a change of circumstances once regardless of how many benefits programs they participate in. 

"Arkansas will be enabled to more effectively and efficiently deliver social programs ensuring that citizens get access to the right services at the right time," said Craig Hayman, general manager, Industry Solutions at IBM. "In IBM, the state can benefit from our deep healthcare industry expertise combined with an ability to apply that knowledge with Big Data analytics solutions that are secure and maximize existing technology investments." 

At the heart of Arkansas' new system is the IBM Curam Social Program Management Platform, an industry-specific solution with built-in subject matter expertise. These capabilities make access to governmental services easier for the citizen and, more importantly, more effective in achieving desired social outcomes. The state is also deploying Cognos business intelligence software, Tivoli security solutions, DB2, Infosphere and Rational capabilities.  All the software will run on IBM Power Systems. 

IBM is working with many other states, including Maryland and Minnesota, on similar initiatives.

For more information, visit:  www.ibm.com/press/smartercities.

Contact: 
Mitchell Derman
1-571-216-8712
[email protected]

Alex Aizenberg
1-212-745-3060
[email protected]

Jeff Tieszen
1-512-286-2279
[email protected]

SOURCE IBM