Because the cases we examined involved such a wide variety of integration initiatives, implemented over disparate time periods and circumstances, the cost estimates and reports provide only a very rough guide for planning. The consensus among those who participated in the study was that integration initiative are potentially expensive, but still clearly cost-effective overall. This consensus is based in part on the partial but impressive kinds of cost savings estimates described. Estimates of total development costs for integrated systems, however, were not widely available because the few existing implementations were developed over extended time periods (multiple budget cycles) and used a mix of new and previously-installed components. The available examples do give a rough indication of the range of costs involved. The strategic plan for Alaska’s integration initiative includes a budget estimate of $84 million over four years. Sarasota County (Florida) recently implemented an integrated system at approximately $5.9 million for hardware, software, and services, but not all infrastructure costs. It is estimated to save $2-3 million per year. The Harris County JIMS has an operating budget of $2.2 million per year, and is estimated to save considerably more than that in overall time and operational costs. A preliminary study for North Carolina estimated that the planned integration initiative would cost approximately $91 million statewide plus an additional $300 million for an 800 MHz mobile communication network. Much of that system has been implemented, but over an extended time period, so the accuracy of the initial estimates is in doubt. A cost-benefit study was done for Los Angeles County CCHRS in its early years (1993-94), showing comparable savings, but it has not been updated and may no longer apply.

Mobile data networks and systems have been installed or upgraded as separate projects in a number of jurisdictions, yielding some overall cost figures. A survey of 39 states in 1997 (done for the Indiana SAFE-T project) reported costs of mobile voice and data systems. The costs per voice radio unit varied widely, from less than $2,000 per unit to over $60,000; mobile data units ranged from $3,500 to over $60,000. These variations are a result of different features in the systems and great differences in the cost of infrastructure (i.e., towers, networks) due to the size and topography of the states.

Full analysis of the costs of integration would have to include more than just the investment in information technology. Training of personnel will be a major component of any integration initiative. These can approach the cost of hardware and software in many instances. Maintaining the overall coordination and control structure involves maintenance as well. This would include salary and staff support for those who serve on governing and coordinating boards or commissions. Most importantly, the overall cost of any system would include ongoing maintenance, improvement, and expansion.

A number of creative approaches to funding and supporting integrated systems were encountered during the study. California funds a portion of the maintenance and development of its LiveScan fingerprint system by performing fee-for-service background checks for employers. Another state used excess capacity in a statewide health network to support integration of criminal justice information flows. North Carolina persuaded local jurisdictions to provide space on their towers for a mobile data network, rather than having to build new towers for the state system. As a result, only two new towers were required for the statewide system. Harris County also provides fee-for-service functions for other agencies in its jurisdictions that require access to information in the JIMS databases. With such creative approaches, the overall cost of integration can be reduced and the benefits made available to a wider array of participants.