Stop me if you've heard this before. The Michigan Secretary of State says a computer upgrade will make service, better, faster, more emotionally satisfying.

“For too long, Secretary of State service upgrades have been hampered by an antiquated system that badly needs to be replaced. “That ends this coming February. I’m pleased to say that our extensive computer upgrade project is on time and on budget, and will revolutionize Secretary of State customer service.” - Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson

Fighting the urge to say "I'll believe it when I see it", let's just say these are lofty goals, and having been stuck at the Stadium Drive facility at 9am and being told that state computers are down, indefinitely, makes me a tad leery.

According to a release sent out Monday, "the first phase of the Customer and Automotive Records System project launches in February". In practical terms, what this means is "ordering or replacing specialty license plates, ordering duplicate plate tabs and renewing snowmobile registrations will be possible for the first time by smartphone, tablet or computer. Existing online services, such as convenient license plate tab renewals, also will be made more customer-friendly".

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says “For too long, Secretary of State service upgrades have been hampered by an antiquated system that badly needs to be replaced,”

Mandatory Credit: Simon P. Barnett/Allsport Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Simon P. Barnett/Allsport Getty Images
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That's all fine and good, but there are still things you have to go to the facility to do; like taking a driver's test. And all the computers in the world won't clear those offices out, because there enough people, who for whatever reason, refuse to use, or don't have, a computer. But we'll see.

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