Madison firm wins state unemployment system update contract

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has contracted with Flexion, a Madison software company, to update the state’s unemployment system, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report. The 60-year-old system has been blamed for delays in the processing of claims during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting increase in unemployment claims. Flexion has been contracted to modernize the system’s antiquated technology at an expected cost of about $4 million annually over four years. Hardware and software needed to support the new system are not included in the contract, they could cost up to $80 million, and they are expected to be covered by federal funds.