By John McPhaul
jpmcphaul@gmail.com
Nannette Martínez Ortiz, the interim director of the Office of Innovation and Technology Services (PRITS by its Spanish acronym), announced on Monday the Online Access Electronic Identification (IDEAL) platform, which streamlines government procedures for citizens and merchants when submitting applications for certifications, services, contracts and even permits.
“Definitely, this is one of the most relevant initiatives when we talk about agility, transformation and centralization of services,” Martínez Ortiz said in a written statement. “IDEAL is a tool used by the employees of the agencies of the Government of Puerto Rico to provide a world-class service to the citizen.”
“IDEAL complies with the strictest cyber security measures and promotes an immediate digital government operation,” she added. “This is a project that improves the services that the people receive, and facilitates and speeds up the work of public servants while positioning the island in a competitive place in the digital age.”
Martínez made her statements within the framework of the 2022 Industrial Association Convention, in which she said “the user experience becomes more important for the granting of permits and the digital services offered by the Government, because unlike other industries, in the citizen consideration process there are not so many alternatives.”
“For example, for any transaction related to a driver’s license, the only option was to visit a CESCO office,” the PRITS director said. “By digitizing government services, we have to make sure that online services always offer a faster and easier way to resolve new government paperwork.”
“Technology allows us to offer government services at the convenience and time of the citizen,” Martínez continued. “That is our main focus, ensuring that people receive immediate service and promoting digitization as a vehicle for modernization and agility in the Government of Puerto Rico.”