Cloud computing for government has always been about providing better services and access to information. For citizens utilizing government services, the cloud offers the opportunity for quicker access to information and more reliable, consistent uptime. There is a push toward allowing data to be constantly available not only to government workers but also for citizens, so the ultimate goal is to create something that works seamlessly. In fact, some organizations are beginning to invest in something called seamless computing, which may be the next generation of services for agencies that are currently using cloud computing. Seamless computing would allow video and voice calls to transfer between wireless providers’ networks and Wi-Fi.
It is possible to think of seamless computing as the real-time version of having the same office software suite across a variety of devices. Many organizations currently using the cloud now utilize Windows Office as a part of all of their operations. Employee computers will have the latest version of Windows, of course, but so will their tablets and their phones. This allows them to always be able to view information without worrying about cross-platform compatibility. The simplicity of this design means that employees can focus on the data itself, not on how to move or manipulate it. Ultimately, this will drastically increase individual worker performance.
Further, it allows for easier cross referencing. As more organizations make use of the Apple model of design, in which everything naturally syncs across different devices, more organizations will make use of this style of seamless computing, according to Innovation Excellence. The majority of government agencies in the U.S. are currently pursuing a cloud computing strategy at this point, so it is time for them to decide if cloud computing for local government can be improved by engaging with seamless computing.
Moving forward in the cloud for agencies
One major element that the cloud provides for local government agencies that many other types of IT solutions don’t is scalability. Digitalized data can be held in effectively limitless supply, meaning that various government agencies are no longer bound by hardware limitations when it comes to data storage and retrieval. This provides, most importantly, a mobile, wireless access to information that doesn’t require government workers to take manual control over how their information is stored. Instead, files can automatically become a part of a cloud through being hosted on a cloud server, reducing the amount of user error that can cause documents to be lost.
Police stations, fire departments and emergency rescue teams operating out of federal and local government agencies benefit greatly from the cloud because of this. Advances utilizing tablet computing and other methods of mobile data entry can dramatically cut down on lag time associated with data input, and make the reliability of information acquired much higher. By allowing workers to input information as they need to, organizations cut down on many of the problems associated with delay data entry. In fact, tablets can increase the speed with which information is captured by allowing field agents like police officers to be able to input information about crime scenes or other details form the safety and convenience of their squad car, rather than having to go back to the station. This flexibility is one of the key elements of cloud computing for organizations currently moving to it, according to CSO.
By investing in modern day approaches to data storage like cloud computing, local government can take advantage of big data strategies, mobile information input and seamless computing. This is the next wave of integration with the digital world that these agencies should utilize.