As the digital backbone of our state, the ICN is growing and changing. We spent the last year looking closely at how we operate, checking our systems, and setting a solid baseline. Now, our plans mark a clear shift from planning to action.
We are moving away from manual tracking and old spreadsheets. Instead, we are stepping fully into our role as Iowa’s premier, modern technology partner, handling the complex behind-the-scenes work so our customers don't have to.
Our Shift at a Glance
| Focus Area | Where We Were | Where We Are Going |
|---|---|---|
| Spending | Tracking costs and finding where we could save. | Cutting everyday expenses by 5% by replacing outdated technology. |
| Growth | Selling Internet and network connections. | Operating as the Managed Service Provider, bringing better options and value to our users. |
| Our Role | A traditional government technology provider. | A modern partner that handles all infrastructure and security needs for our customers. |
| Our Tools | Mapping out daily tasks and manual workflows. | Integrating a tool and system modernization project to replace generic government IT tools used to run a telecommunications business. |
Our Goals for the Coming Year
1. Maximizing Our Resources
Last year, we did a deep dive into our finances. This year, we are using that data to actively cut our spending by 5%. By looking at the true value of every piece of hardware and software we use, we are clearing away older, expensive technology.
- This frees up money to reinvest into making our network infrastructure better for Iowans.
2. Smarter Growth
In the past, we focused on selling basic Internet connections. This year, we are taking a different approach. Instead of only selling bandwidth, we are partnering with high-quality technology providers to offer better, more complete services.
3. Becoming Iowa’s True Technology Partner
Last year, our main goal was cutting our spending. This year, we are stepping up to be Iowa’s security shield and telecommunications partner. We handle firewall and DDoS cybersecurity risks and backend technical issues, aiming for near-perfect reliability and an 85% customer satisfaction rate.
- We do the heavy lifting so our schools, hospitals, and government agencies can focus on serving their communities.
4. Modernizing Our Tools
We spent the last year preparing our team and mapping out how the agency works. Now, we are completely overhauling our internal systems. We are launching a brand-new, unified billing and operations platform (MCL/Cadebill). By automating our daily processes, our team can step away from spreadsheets and focus 100% of their energy on keeping the network fast, safe, and reliable.
The Bottom Line
This year is about building the future. Our new plans gives the financial flexibility, modern tools, and proactive security needed to deliver incredible value to the State of Iowa.
Public Transparency
We believe in keeping our community informed. In alignment with our commitment to public transparency, the full ICN Strategic Plan and Operational Plan are available online. View or download them anytime by visiting: