Context
It is not an exaggeration to say that Technology and Information permeates almost every aspect of life in the Buffalo Niagara region. Information technology erases borders to bring people, organizations, industries, communities and the world closer together. Technology applications have introduced efficiencies into businesses and government operations, and have improved quality of life for those with disabilities. Indeed, it is in many ways the foundation for today’s new information economy.
What Technology & Information Measures
The State Region bases its analysis of Buffalo Niagara’s performance in this area on several prerequisite characteristics for competitiveness in the new information economy: Infrastructure, or the telecommunications infrastructure needed to connect people and businesses to the global network; People, or the availability of a workforce adequately trained in new technologies; and Support, including such factors as the extent of the region's technological literacy, access to IT, public sector commitment, and IT firms’ access to venture capital.
The Road Ahead
In that information technology has only recently emerged as a major economic sector, and few data sets are keyed specifically to this industry, a lack of reliable data has been a consistent problem. Data lags are also especially prevalent in this rapidly changing field.
Technology & Information Indicators - (Latest Indicator Updates)
5.1 Internet Infrastructure — 
(Nov 1999 )
Number of different types of Internet Service Providers in Western New York; availability of high-speed Internet access
5.2 Computer Use — (Jun 2006 )
Computer use in the Buffalo Designated Market Area (DMA), as determined by the Standard Rate and Data Service’s annual market survey; computer use by income level; use rates compared to other regions across New York State and the U.S.
5.3 Library Circulation — (Nov 1999 )
Per capita number of items from library collections circulated each year in Western New York; per capita circulation rates for children’s library materials
5.4 Public Internet Connections — (Dec 2002 )
Presence of Internet-connected libraries among members of the Western New York Library Resources Council, with further categorization based on level and sophistication of the Internet service. [Note: This indicator reflects the merging of the former 5.4 Library Internet Connections and 4.6 Student Internet Connections.]
5.5 Municipal Technology Use — (Nov 2000 )
Computer and advanced technology use by municipal officials and staff in Western New York. [Note: Indicator replaced 5.5 Regional Internet Presence in 2000.]
5.6 Technology-Based Businesses — (Nov 2000 )
Proportion of high-tech and technology-related businesses in Western New York, with comparisons to nine national benchmark regions as well as other New York State areas; number of employees in selected high-tech businesses in Western New York
5.7 Technology Workforce — (Nov 1999 )
Western New York’s availability of workers and average wages in two key technology areas – computer programming and systems analysis
5.8 Venture Capital — (Nov 1999 )
Venture capital invested in Western New York overall and in the technology and information industry, with comparisons to other U.S. areas
5.9 Digital Divide — (Dec 2002 )
Level of Internet use in the binational Buffalo Niagara region and barriers to Internet use in the area, including household income level and Internet perceptions
Progress Over Time