The state announced last Thursday that they have rolled out their mobile-ready website, and they are the first state to launch geolocation widgets.
Check out their fully mobile-optimized Arkansas.gov website which is it is the first state website to use Text4help, a new customer service support function using text messaging technology.
Exerpt from their press release on the website’s key features:
eGov Services Geolocation Widget – This innovative, first-of-its- kind widget allows local and community websites to embed code for state, county and city online services within their own websites. This feature is a free download and pushes eGovernment services to community websites where people are most often engaged, and help local entities better serve the needs of their citizens.
Text4help and new fully mobile optimized Arkansas.gov – Arkansas.gov’s mobile portal has been expanded, with the entire website fully mobile optimized. Arkansas.gov has evolved the online chat customer support technology by becoming the first state government to implement Text4help. This new technology provides online support to mobile devices through text messaging technology and is included in the mobile portal, as well as any mobile-enhanced service such as the YOUniversal Financial Aid Scholarship System.
Smart Search – Prominently placed Smart Search displays results of online services, agencies, people, and all content of Arkansas.gov in one user-friendly display area.
Geolocation Services Near Me Section – Near Me displays jobs, services, government offices, as well as maps based on the user’s current location.
Mobile Optimized Payment Solution – Expansion of the nation’s first secure mobile payment solution is designed to serve Arkansans on the go. Twenty-eight Arkansas counties now offer mobile property tax payments.
eGov This Week Transparency Carousel – This section streams real-time metrics of eGovernment activity for popular Arkansas.gov online services (e.g., “4,200 Arkansans applied for financial aid this week”).
New Design – A streamlined home page simplifies the presentation of information, provides easy access to online services and government information, and highlights the beauty of the Natural State. Arkansas photographers are invited to submit photos for use in the new photo gallery.
Focus and Feature Fly-out Panels – These panels feature timely services and group focused content by business, citizen, and social media services.
Arkansas did make an improvement–though just a little–in the 2011 American State Litter Scorecard.
The Natural State upgraded from a “worst” to “below average” national status for overall statewide public spaces cleanliness from environmental and public performance indicators.
[Nearby Texas and Oklahoma declined their once “below average” statuses to “worst”, which Louisiana stubbornly has kept since the First Scorecard in 2008. Washington State was rated first place.]
Arkansas did make an improvement–though just a little–in the 2011 American State Litter Scorecard.
The Natural State upgraded from a “worst” to “below average” national status for overall statewide public spaces cleanliness from environmental and public performance indicators.
[Nearby Texas and Oklahoma declined their once “below average” statuses to “worst”, which Louisiana stubbornly has kept since the First Scorecard in 2008. Washington State was rated first place.]
See the Scorecard powerpoint: http://www.slideshare.net/stevewonder2/newest-2011-american-state-litter-scorecard-data-scores-charts
Still can’t find Text4Help. Neither can another colleague.
Sebastian – I did find it located under Site Map – here’s the link:
http://www.arkansas.com/privacy/text-help.aspx
Right now it is specifically available in the footer of the mobile site, which you can view from any browser:
http://www.arkansas.gov/m
They also mention it on their Help Center page (http://portal.arkansas.gov/government/Pages/governmentHelpCenter.aspx) but I agree it should be much easier to find more info, instructions, etc. Will ping the team.
-Hillary, NIC Inc. (parent company of the biz that runs Arkansas.gov)