b'InsightsDriving IT Modernization and Transformation: Insights from Jamie Holcombe, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark OfficeBy Michael J. KeeganThe U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the federal agency that grants U.S. patents and registers trademarks. Under this system of protection, American industry has flourished. New products have been invented, and new uses for old products have been discovered. Given this critical function, USPTO has unique technology needs. Having a consistent, reliable, scalable, innovative ITWhat are the responsibilities and missioninfrastructure is critically important to help the agency betterof USPTO?serve key stakeholders including inventors and entrepreneurs while also deploying state-of-the-art technology throughoutOur agencys funding comes from the fees we collect. its entire enterprise. Therefore, we have a fiduciary responsibility to our stakeholders and to our intellectual property community to In early 2019, Jamie Holcombe became the chief informationregister trademarks and award patents in an efficient and officer at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).effective manner. He came to the agency to modernize and transform how it uses technology to accomplish its constitutionally requiredI came to USPTO to serve and accomplish its powerful mission. I came to help the agency, explains Holcombe, tomission. As outlined in the U.S. Constitution, our mission stabilize and modernize its IT systems and infrastructure, tois to secure for limited times to authors and inventors the move it from a client-server-based system to an internet andexclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries. It cloud-driven one.is a solemn duty. USPTO is Americas Innovation Agency as we award patents and register trademarks for those who have With a mission-first strategy, Holcombe has sought to drivecreated some of the greatest things the world has ever seen. next-generation enterprise information technology (IT) investments, as well as implement better, faster, and cheaperIm proud to support our mission to ensure that the ways to grant patents and register trademarks. This involvesintellectual property system contributes to a strong global maintaining current systems while leveraging advances ineconomy, spurs job growth, encourages investment in technology, such as cloud, to transform how the USPTOinnovation, and fosters our nations entrepreneurial spirit.delivers and uses IT services. I came to help the USPTO stabilize and modernize its IT Jamie Holcombe joined me on The Business of Governmentsystems and infrastructure, to move it from a client-server-Hour to discuss his agencys IT strategy and his efforts to realizebased system to an internet and cloud-driven one. Our its vision. The following is an edited excerpt of our discussion,moves in this arena will mean much more efficiency and complemented with updated and additional research. agility as we deliver business value to our customers. 40 www.businessofgovernment.org The Business of Government'