SMARTER STRATEGIES

Institute for Electronic Government Adds Clouds, Analytics

R. Colin Johnson | Date: 03-09-11 | Comments

Adding cloud computing and analytics to its technology mix gives the Institute for Electronic Government more tools to help public-sector IT improve efficiencies, reduce costs and tackle energy and budget challenges.

The Institute for Electronic Government embraced a major face lift recently by adding cloud computing and business analytics to the roster of technologies about which it educates public-sector IT.

For 15 years, IBM has hosted more than 52,000 visitors from 120 countries at the IEG Briefing Center where IT leaders receive updates on the latest advancements and advise on how best to implement effective strategies for change. The addition of cloud computing and business analytics, according to IEG, is a result of surveys showing that 91 percent of technology leaders worldwide expect cloud computing to surpass in-house data centers as the primary IT delivery model by 2015. An overwhelming majority of 83 percent also identified business analytics, defined as the ability to detect patterns and extract actionable insights from vast databases, as a top priority for IT planners.

IEG presents expert analyses in all aspects of emerging IT technologies, including advanced software design, to IT leaders in government, health care, transportation, social services, public safety, customs/border management, revenue management, defense, logistics, and education. Adding cloud computing and business analytics to IEG's technology mix "illustrates the importance public sector leaders place on understanding new technologies and collaborating with peers to better serve their constituents through innovation," said general manager of IBM Global Public Sector, Anne Altman, about the announcement.

Using a Virtual Collaboratory, an online resource for exchanging information, data and ideas using documents and VOIP, will enable thousands of IT professionals worldwide--including federal, state and local government leaders, as well as health care, education and academic institutions--to collaborate on the development of cloud computing and business analytic assets, whether they are on-site or remotely connected.

One IEG imperative for using IT for strategic innovation, rather than just tactical automation, is to build an organizational culture that supports participatory and evolutionary innovation. (SOURCE: IBM)

As a primer, IBM offers eLearning virtual classroom experiences on cloud computing and business analytic concepts in various formats, from self-paced courses you can take online anytime to live-teacher courses delivered either by satellite or to the desktop using two-way audio/video communications and hands-on labs.

The new emphasis of cloud computing and business analytics is also affecting IEG's cooperation with IBM's co-located Center for The Business of Government, which sponsors independent research into how to improve the effectiveness of government and public IT services. The center entertains proposals for research reports submitted by public-sector executives and managers in areas that boost government performance, including cloud computing, business analytics and other emerging IT capabilities.