Auditor Says Technology Initiative Mismanaged
KEWES expensive, its future in doubt



See the audit report for Full Details

Edward B. Hatchett, Jr.
Auditor of Public Accounts
144 Capitol Annex
Frankfort, KY 40601

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(Frankfort - October 22, 2003) A six-year technology initiative of the Department for Employment Services, so far costing $15 million, is not fully operational and suffers from mismanagement, according to an assessment by State Auditor Ed Hatchett.

According to Hatchett, KEWES, Kentucky's Electronic Workplace for Employment Services, was poorly planned; cost too much, is hampered by obsolete hardware and software, and was misrepresented to the Legislature.

As evidence of the initiative's weaknesses, the assessment lists the following issues:

  • DES is paying the Governor's Office for Technology to maintain KEWES components even though such maintenance was required of the developer
  • KEWES primary applications server platform, Windows NT 4, becomes officially obsolete on January 1, 2004
  • DES has paid hosting fees of $369,000 since October of 2002 for a KEWES component that has never been operational
  • KEWES Interactive Voice Response feature is costing 10 cents per minute, while other states pay from 3 to 5 cents
  • KEWES provides inadequate audit features despite development contract requirements

By letter, Hatchett informed the co-chairs of the Legislature's Interim Joint Committee on Labor and Industry of his findings.

Copies of the exhibits are available upon request to the Open Records Administrator

 

Edward B. Hatchett Jr.
Auditor of Public Accounts
144 Capitol Annex
Frankfort, KY 40601
WEB: www.auditor.ky.gov/