New site provides transparency in state government spending; is revolutionary in content and search offerings

Westbrook, ME; August 20, 2008 – Winxnet, a leading provider of software development solutions and systems management, announced today that it has completed the first phase of a transparency in government project for The Empire Center, a part of the Manhattan Institute of Policy Research.  In the week following the launch, www.seethroughny.net, the website received approximately 750,000 page loads and generated significant discussion about the release and availability of this data.

All information on the site, which includes state payroll, contracts, expenditures, and pork barrel spending, is of public record and legally available through FOIL, the Freedom of Information Law.  However, prior to the website’s launch, this information has been difficult – and even costly – to find. 

Winxnet advised The Empire Center on the best method to compile the data into an easy-to-use site that exposes pertinent information to taxpayers; this information is critical as the state of New York projects its staggering deficit to be $6.4 billion next year.

"Taxpayers have a fundamental right to know how their tax money is being spent,” said E.J. McMahon, the center’s director.  “SeeThroughNY is designed to become the hub of a statewide network through which taxpayers can share, analyze and compare data from local governments and school districts throughout New York.”

The SeeThroughNY website was built using the Microsoft platform from start to finish.  The Winxnet development team built the web application using Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2005 using the latest in ASP.NET and AJAX technology.  In addition, the hosting platform is utilizing the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V. 

Winxnet will continue to work with The Empire Center to expand upon the data currently offered by the site and to develop more sophisticated search capabilities.  With a dozen more FOIL requests in the works, the current site is only a framework, Mr. McMahon said.  The additional phase is slated to be completed by this fall.

About Winxnet

A Premier Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Winxnet provides complete IT solutions for businesses, with a focus on Unified Communications (VoIP), .NET application design and development, SharePoint consulting and customization, and Systems Management (managed services), to over 1,000 customers in New England and the southeast.  Winxnet has offices in Westbrook, ME; Chattanooga, TN; New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  For additional information, visit www.winxnet.com. 

Contact:
Gloria White
Winxnet
(866) 946-9638
gwhite@winxnet.com

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