Editors note, 4:22 p.m.: This post has been updated with more data and call processing information from CalPERS.
CalPERS announced today that it has received recognitions of excellence for two of its programs, including the my|CalPERS computer system that has a history of glitches and costly overruns.
"Our teams truly embody the CalPERS core value of quality in striving to exceed our customers' needs and expectations through competence, innovation and teamwork," CalPERS' CEO Anne Stausboll said today in a press release. "These honors are well deserved."
Government Computer News recognized the my|CalPERS system for its "Outstanding Information Technology Achievement in Government." A Computer News story last week detailed the herculean task that CalPERS took on when it decided to consolidate dozens of independent information systems into a single Web-based program. The system launched two years late and doubled initial cost estimates.
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers also gave CalPERS an award for "Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology in State Government" for forming the teams of staff employees and contractors that have been working to fix the system.
Several problems surfaced after the system went live in September 2011, including delayed death benefits payments, erroroneous health care coverage cancellation notices to members and caller-on-hold times of up to two hours.
CalPERS spokeswoman Amy Norris said that the system is now up to date with death benefit processing and that average call wait times are down to 18 minutes for members and 2 1/2 minutes for employers.
PHOTO: Anne Stausboll / courtesy CalPERS


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