Hardware/Software
2012 IT outlook in local governments
American City & County and the Public Technology Institute surveyed a broad base of subscribers to determine the state of IT among local governments across the nation. The response rate was healthy, with 68.2 percent coming from municipalities and 25.1 percent from counties. Given the ever-changing IT environment, we asked a series of questions about new trends, including cloud computing, app development, and mobile device ownership and use....
App speeds extrication at MVA scene
Widespread smartphone and tablet adoption continues to drive the demand for mobile applications, for both consumers and first responders in the field who must perform myriad tasks. What’s exciting about the development for the fire service is that firefighters often are the inventors of many apps now available on the market for all-hazards response....
This weekend: Software developers hack for government
At least 50 software developers from the San Francisco Bay area will gather this weekend to develop open government data software applications. The participants, who will compete for cash prizes at the event, will create apps based off of open government data, and the apps will be made available online for anyone to use....
Opinion: eProcurement technology assists public purchasers in helping solve government budget challenges
This fall, the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) and Deltek announced surprising results of a survey that revealed insights into the state of procurement organizations in the public sector. The survey targeted the heads of procurement in city, county and state governments, as well as public universities and K-12 district schools, and found that 22 percent of those surveyed (including larger entities) do not use procurement software of any kind....
Top state IT/digital projects earn honors from NASCIO
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers' (NASCIO) has announced the 10 winners of its 2011 Recognition Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology in State Government. The winners include state initiatives in digital government, data management, interagency collaboration and more....
Engineers use modeling to track energy usage and help reduce energy consumption in schools
Building energy modeling is a powerful tool that predicts a school facility’s energy usage. Different types of energy models are developed at various stages of a project to provide data that can verify or disprove suggested energy-efficiency measures. ...
Procurement survey: Public purchasers still rely on paper rather than automation or software
A poll of almost 500 procurement professionals shows many public organizations still rely on paper and homegrown solutions when it comes to purchasing operations. Under-automation is still prevalent, with 22 percent of purchasers surveyed saying their departments do not use procurement software of any kind. ...
Mayday software tool tracks firefighter’s location in emergencies
After a 90-day field test and more than one year in research and development, the New York City Fire Department has installed the Electronic Fireground Accountability System (EFAS), a citywide, data-based accountability mayday system that more effectively pinpoints the location of firefighters and reduces radio ID confusion....
Government IT trends in 2011
While researching for the Keating Report 2011 forecast on government budgets, spending, construction and technology, it has become clear that governments are upgrading their IT resources, even on tight budgets. ...
New tool for government procurement: construction bid management software
BidSync recently announced the release of BidSync Builder, a software as a service (SaaS) that is designed to help state and local governments quickly create construction project-specific bids, organize contractors’ electronic offers, and award contracts. ...
Nine things a government agency may not be destroying but should be
As computers and other electronic devices become obsolete sooner due to new technology, disposal of sensitive information is of serious concern. A single used hard drive, CD or DVD can contain thousands of files. ...
Cities and counties start to adopt cloud computing
While adoption of efficiency-enhancing, Internet-based computer networks is nothing new in the corporate world, the public sector is only now finding new uses for on-demand networks....
GSA is moving to cloud computing
The General Services Administration has awarded a $6.7 million, five-year contract to Unisys Corp. to provide secure cloud-based e-mail and IT collaboration tools. Unisys will provide transition, data migration, training and cloud-based software as a service for the new environment....
IT pointers for governments in 2011
The following are some end-of-year suggestions from CDW-G to keep IT operations in local and state governments running smoothly and effectively....
Governments implementing IT virtualization at differing rates
States are more likely than local governments to implement virtualization — the division of a server into several subsystems — and are happier with their chief information officers' proficiency with virtualization technology, according to CDW Government....
The Crowley Company celebrates its 30th anniversary in micrographics
The Crowley Company, a micrographics producer, has been in business 30 years. Vice president Pat Crowley and Christopher Crowley, the company's president, are celebrating....
EMTs needed to test out iPad app
PEPID, a developer of clinical decision-support information and technology, is calling for iPad users to help test the latest version of its subscription-based software suite used as a reference tool for point-of-care practitioners....
Retrofit project aims to deliver Texas-sized energy savings
The federal General Services Administration's Region 7 has awarded Schneider Electric an $18.5 million energy savings performance contract to perform energy retrofits to 16 federal buildings in Texas...
IT enhancements in Wisconsin's capital
Madison, Wis., has signed a deal with Tyler Technologies to provide its Incode municipal court and Munis enterprise resource planning (ERP) IT products....
More public-sector IT spending, 2nd half 2010
Governments still see value in investing in IT, according to IT sales executives interviewed for the Keating Report mid-year 2010 forecast on government budgets, spending and technology....
Cobb County, Ga., selects customer contact tool
The contact center software centralizes the non-emergency call intake process, so residents can access a single contact center for service requests or information....
Pasadena Optimizes Conversion to Electronic Payments
A California city's strategic implementation of an electronic payment system lowers costs and improves efficiency....
Ohio fire department deploys fingerprint biometrics service to access patient records
Responders are using BIO-key International's biometric solution to scan program enrollee's fingerprints in order to gain instant access to health records on scene....
Los Angeles Fire Department deploys vehicle locator
The Los Angeles Fire Department recently purchased HP workstations and performance displays for its emergency dispatch center, which helps protect more than 4 million citizens in America's second-largest city....
Another vote in support of veteran-owned businesses
David Heffner, a Vietnam War veteran who is founder of CODY Systems, a Pottstown, Pa.-based developer of public safety software, is yet another vote in support of veteran-owned businesses....
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