Ten years of Technet

New Mexico Business Journal, Sept, 1995 by Terry Boulanger

In a state that has grown used to innovation and high technology spawned by its national laboratories and supporting high-tech companies, the introduction of New Mexico Technet in 1985 did little to spur the imagination of the population. In fact, with the exception of Senator Pete Domenici and Governor Jack Campbell, the visionaries who created the company, there was little understanding of just what this fiber optic network that Technet installed and ran would do for the people and businesses of the state. In fact, even the staff knew that the success of this unique experiment that would blaze a trail for the future of information access was in no way guaranteed. "Cyberspace" hadn't been invented yet.

The original concept for the implementation of a fiber optic network linking national labs, government, universities and businesses was to promote the transfer of commercially viable research out of the public research facilities and into the hands of entrepreneurs who would create new companies and jobs. Established as a non-profit corporation, Technet's mission was to promote economic development and support education through the use of this new networking technology. With $2 million from the state to install the fiber optics and equipment, and $1 million from the Department of Energy, Technet began its journey with a commitment to be self-supporting within three years.

While the concept of technology transfer held great hope throughout the country, it quickly became evident that it was to be a long and tedious process. For Technet, that meant that alternate ways to generate revenue would be necessary to meet its commitment of self sufficiency. Since its network was connected to so many sites rich with information, it began to experiment with providing electronic access to public information. Acceptance of this new concept was not immediate, however it was sufficient to move the company's balance sheet into the black in just 16 months.

In fact, Technet has been so successful in using technology to provide this type of connection between government and the public that we're constantly asked to speak before groups around the country. The system has served as a model for development of networks in Ohio, Kansas, Nevada, New York, West Virginia, Mississippi, Florida and Nebraska.

By allying itself with professional associations such as the New Mexico State Bar Assn., The Real Estate Assn. of New Mexico, The Big I Insurance Assn. and others, Technet has been able to identify and connect a vast number of information resources used every day by businesses around the state. This is an example of how technology can be used to improve productivity in a business by speeding access to vital information and reducing the need for time-consuming visits to government offices. Accessible today are databases including motor vehicle records, corporate records, UCC filings with the Secretary of State, district court dockets and records, U.S. District and Bankruptcy Court Records, property tax records, business and financial information, federal government regulations, procurement Information and opportunities, foreign trade leads and hundreds more. New information sources are added almost daily, insuring that this remains a constantly reliable source of information for the businesses of the state.

In addition, Technet works with the state government to improve efficiency there as well. In operation today are programs allowing electronic filing of state income taxes and electronic registration of motor vehicles directly from auto dealerships. And new electronic filing programs are in the development stages that will make many of the annoying government regulations much easier for the public to deal with.

With all of this going on, Technet still finds time to support community needs. A statewide educational network provides free Internet access to all schools in the state. Involvement in other educational programs insures that this technology truly serves the state. A program for the Organ Donors Assn., for example, has increased organ donation in the state by over 75 percent.

It hardly seems possible that ten years have gone by, since each day brings a new challenge and a new set of opportunities. We've just introduced new menus with an incredible array of information on personal and business finance, we have expanded information on trade with Mexico, and will be shortly adding medical information and news services. Next month Technet will move into a new building with expanded training facilities and customer support operations.

Knowing that New Mexico has had all of this for the last decade makes all the hype about the future of the "Information Superhighway" seem somehow anticlimactic. Our own version of that highway will continue to lead the way and perhaps someday the rest of the country will catch on.

Terry Boulanger is Technet's marketing director.