As 2015 progressed it became clear that there is a significant technology movement taking place in local governments across North America. Citizens have become increasingly more aware and opinionated as to how government services should be delivered. Constituents these days expect a convenient and transparent view into local government while demanding services be delivered consistently and efficiently at all times.
Combining the rise in expectations with the fact governments are constantly challenged with decreasing budgets, leaders in government have almost no choice but to turn to new civic technologies.
Throughout 2016 and beyond local governments will need to utilize technology as a means to ultimately reduce costs and increase efficiencies, but what are some actual outcomes we can expect to see from this evolution?
Top 3 Predicted Technology Trends in Local Government for 2016
- Connected Governments
Governments will need to examine the plethora of wirelessly connected devices that can be utilized to better serve their citizens. “Smart-city” plans in several US jurisdictions are exploring ways to process large amounts of data coming from devices such as phones, video cameras, parking sensors, air quality monitors, etc. to help local governments achieve such goals as increased public safety, improved environment and better quality of life.
Examples of such initiatives are already on their way, “smart-parking” can help commuters find spots and “smart-waste” are Internet-connected trash bins that communicate their status to help optimize collection routes. Some major cities are even transforming public pay phones into Internet-connected pylons with the potential to eventually broadcast emergency messages.
Connected devices of all sorts are already entrenched throughout the infrastructure of our communities, it is exciting to contemplate all the unique ideas technology pioneers within government will develop throughout 2016 from the increased accessibility of information.
- Transparent Governments
In this modern-era, citizens believe that all data concerning civic matters should be readily accessible and consumable, the growing expectation is that local governments take proactive measures to share such information with the public.
In 2016, more governments will attempt to keep their citizens consistently up to date and involved by pushing new engagement boundaries and embracing an entrepreneurial spirit instead of waiting for citizens to come to them. Conducting online surveys, interacting through social media, streaming video of public meetings on the Internet and publishing relevant documents or meeting minutes on an online portal are examples of how governments will improve citizen trust and transparency.
There are obvious benefits that can be gained by governments becoming more comfortable communicating transparently with its constituents. Governments are already starting to turn to their best and brightest minds within their communities to help develop new solutions in solving old problems, as transparency in government increases throughout 2016 expect more and more citizens to take up the challenge of solving a problem rather than simply complaining about one.
- Cloud Governments
Cloud technology is not only saving tax-payer dollars, it is enabling governments to move faster and be more flexible. Government agencies will shift from reactive and responsive to proactive and predictive. Communities of all sizes are embarking on a multi-year push to modernize their IT infrastructure.
Moving into 2016, more and more governments will introduce a cloud-based digital strategy while moving away from the traditional approach to IT as another means to generate increased efficiency and effectiveness.
In conclusion, it is clear the role technology plays in governments has been rapidly evolving in recent years. Solutions that were once perceived as offering a better and faster way of doing something, but were still simply labelled as “nice-to-haves” are now being viewed as a necessary means to increase efficiencies while also helping to reduce costs. It is hard to deny that the future of technology in government certainly looks bright when you combine the shift in perception with the increased collaboration between governments and its constituents to develop new ways of solving old problems.
Derek is a Public Sector Account Manager working for zedIT Solutions Inc., an IT professional services firm with offices and customers across the Globe. Derek’s primary objective is to help government agencies realize the promise of technology by taking the time to understand his client’ needs and collaborate with zedIT consultants to deliver meaningful solutions that align with each customers’ definition of value.