11/01/2004
November 1, 2004 -
Northampton, MA - Gravity Switch recently completed a major website
redesign and created an online project management system for the New
England States Consortium Systems Organization (NESCSO). Designed to
foster collaboration among Commissioners and upper-level staff of State
Health and Human Service agencies and Federal Centers for Medicaid and
Medicare Services throughout New England, this new site is saving significant time and money
for NESCSO members.
Says Gerald Clay, Executive Director of NESCSO, "The
challenge was to provide our members with an application that was easy
to use for both web savvy and non web savvy people. Members can access
this system anytime, anywhere, thus encouraging collaboration among
state agencies.
In fact, in just one project, four States
agreed to a joint vs. individual purchase of a software application to
aid in the receipt of claims under the new HIPAA guidelines. This saved
an estimated two million dollars! Several other joint projects have
allowed states to collaborate and share knowledge, improve programs,
and save money."
The new NESCSO website enables members to
access a personalized home page where they can quickly review the day's
national and local news concerning their program, as well as the Kaiser
site's daily news updates. Updates to their specific projects are also
highlighted on this page, along with a link to their agency's home page
and 'favorite' links generated by each member.
In addition to
serving as an information-clearing house, the site is the front door to
ONTRAK, the internal project management system also developed by
Gravity Switch. Through ONTRAK, top managers can track the major
projects in which they are involved, whether locally managed or as a
collaborative effort across state borders.
Through easy
navigation, users can view tasks, project updates and notes. E-mail
options and document uploading allow one-stop review and filing of all
materials related to a project. In addition, NESCSO has administration
tools to add new users, and assist current ones with any issues that
may arise.
Says Jason Mark, President and Founder of Gravity Switch, "Our
goal was to create an integrated site to foster collaboration among
NESCSO members by improving communication, and providing a feature-rich
project management tool that is easy to use and manage.
The
ONTRAK application is designed to highlight any changes to a project
since an individual's last log onto the system. It allows all members
of the team to post documents, and can notify designated team personnel
if they are late in entering a project status. It is an application
that truly allows team members to act and collaborate freely on a
project. Since it is on a secure site, individuals can be comfortable
with the information being shared."
About NESCSO:
The
New England States Consortium Systems Organization (NESCSO) is a
non-profit corporation organized by the six New England Health and
Human services agencies and the University of Massachusetts Medical
School. NESCSO supports the health and human services policy and system
needs of the New England states by providing a framework for knowledge
exchange in order to maximize policy, program and cost effectiveness.
For more information visit the NESCSO website.
About Gravity Switch:
Gravity
Switch is an award-winning interactive media firm that designs custom
technology solutions delivered via the web and CD-ROM. We work
with national companies like Honda, Polaroid, Sega and Hartford
Insurance; with colleges such as Smith, UMass, & Mount Holyoke; and
with numerous non-profits, local manufacturers and regional service
firms. You can learn more about us from our website or by calling [413] 586-9596.