Savage Giving Specific IT Power Back to the State Agencies

In Maryland, decades‑old legacy applications—most notably a 1970s COBOL‑based financial system—are hampering efficiency and security. Katie Savage explains that the state’s digital transformation hinges on replacing bespoke software with commercial‑off‑the‑shelf (COTS) solutions that can be customized and reused across agencies. By consolidating fragmented procurement and leveraging the Maryland Digital Service, the department aims to streamline workflows, integrate e‑procurement, and align technology choices with service‑delivery outcomes rather than merely updating code.

A cornerstone of the new IT Master Plan is thoughtful centralization. Savage’s team created an IT council that gathers agency CIOs quarterly to identify overlapping functions such as identity and access management, where thirteen separate Active Directory instances were merged into a single, secure directory. Centralized cybersecurity tools, shared SaaS contracts, and a push for agency‑level product managers ensure that each department has the expertise to maintain and evolve its applications, turning software into a living service rather than a one‑off project.

Beyond software, Maryland is leveraging its state‑owned fiber and radio networks to deliver shared infrastructure. Initiatives like Network Maryland, a platform‑as‑a‑service model for large programs, and the Maryland Data Exchange provide a common backbone for broadband expansion, data sharing, and analytics. By focusing on user‑centered design and outcomes—whether it’s a hospital bed registry or a unified 800‑site web portal—the state aims to create a more accessible, secure digital experience for residents and businesses, setting a template for other governments navigating legacy modernization.