During lockdowns, states made tech investments that still pay dividends.
State governments made many investments during the pandemic lockdown that are still paying dividends, fueling continued digital transformation efforts. The National Association of State Technology Directors highlights many of these successful efforts in a report recapping 2021 investments made by state IT agencies.
Central IT agencies strengthened virtual private network connections, accelerated the availability of online collaborative tools, purchased laptops for remote workers, increased their already vigilant security efforts, boosted call center support and made network adjustments to accommodate the sudden shift to a remote workforce, among other investments. Many government organizations more widely adopted communications tools such as videoconferencing, webinars and online communities.
Read more: US: States Embraced Digital Transformation During Pandemic Response
Berkeley officials are rolling out their plans for where 22 new touch-screen information and advertising kiosks could go.
Some residents have vocally opposed the devices, a product of an Ohio advertising firm, because they display ads when people aren’t using them. Critics say that makes the kiosks, nine of which have been installed around Berkeley so far, effectively pedestrian-scale electronic billboards that don’t belong on public sidewalks.
Read more: US: California: Here's where the next round of 'smart kiosks' could go in Berkeley
Clay Connected, a recently launched mobile app and platform, is offering residents in the county new access to service requests across county departments, timely information and a route to report problems.
A new mobile app launched in Clay County, Fla., offers constituents an improved digital government experience.
The app, called Clay Connected, was launched at the end of November to provide residents with an efficient way to get information, request services and report problems.
Read more: US: Clay County, Fla., Consolidates Services to a Single Touchpoint
Waste collection is an often-underutilized source of municipal data, and in Columbus, integration with city GIS tools help trash pickup not only clean city streets, but enhance customer service.
In the smart city world, the often-overlooked trash truck and its humble sanitation worker are emerging as prime sources of data collection, application and insight. Data-driven enhancements can range from better trash pickup itself to a set of ancillary services that include snow removal, recycling and inspections. If one considers sanitation workers as the collectors of not just trash, but also of data, one can see even more opportunity.
Read more: US: Columbus, Ohio, Garbage Trucks Collect Critical City Data
The New York state city wants to keep residents and visitors up-to-date on city news and municipal services as well as combat misinformation on social media.
Buffalo in New York state is partnering with the Simplicity App to provide residents with a single destination to receive notifications and information from the City.
Read more: US: New York: Buffalo partners with Simplicity App to inform citizens