Enabling Cloud in Government Organizations
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Enabling Cloud in Government Organizations

Government CIO Outlook | Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Cloud can help break down data silos, connect stakeholders, drive AI implementation, and connect various stakeholders, thereby enabling potential innovations.

FREMONT, CA: Traditionally, cloud computing was cherished for its enablement of cost savings. Today, the government is progressively looking at the higher value the cloud can deliver; particularly on how it can enable future innovation. For the past decade, the model was seen as a less expensive means of storing data and running applications. In both the private and public sectors, the cloud has been a vital part of most digital transformations. In the present day, the focus on the cloud is becoming, even more, pressing across the globe.

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Cloud is a foundational setting for emerging technologies that government organizations are increasingly using like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics. Cloud can further help break down data silos, connect stakeholders, drive AI implementation, and connect various stakeholders, thereby enabling potential innovations.

Impart Data Silos

The government often has data that goes underutilized due to siloed data sets. Breaking down the data silos can create new opportunities for modernization in most government domains: anticipating crime and reducing congestion, reducing fraud, waste, and abuse. For instance, transportation agencies can deploy a cloud-based AI platform to gather data from connected cars, road cameras, road conditions, and weather patterns. Additionally, some applications can predict high-risk corridors in accident-prone areas. The tools help in reduction in crashes along the highways, and consequently also prevent any secondary collisions. Cloud also offers more than just a link to diverse sources of data. 

One of the critical advantages of the cloud is the flexibility that it facilitates in setting up innovative and complex environments like deep learning. The deep learning system can be considered a smart recommender system as it studies from the preferences of employers and job seekers. Embedded deep learning enables the organization to take an extensive set of data into account and widen the data set. A significant benefit of the learning is that by retraining the model, the instruction automatically takes into account evolutions in the job market. 

Drive AI Implementation

An area of cloud technology that is driving remarkable growth is Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). With viable solutions already on the cloud, government agencies no longer have to create their solutions. The employment of SaaS applications, where cognitive technologies are assembled into the software, has the potential to boost the uptake of AI and other budding technologies in government.

A cloud-based, AI-powered SaaS tool can assist organizations in analyzing grant applications. In terms, the device can analyze data to recognize patterns that can help foresee the outcome of a grant. Additionally, the tool can also sum up hundreds of pages of information into a paragraph that agency analysts can swiftly review and then come to a decision whether or not to award a grant.

To Connect Stakeholders

When it comes to making advancements in technology, connecting people is as essential as connecting data. The cloud’s ability to bring on innovation is its capability to connect a broader ecosystem of associates that comprise designers, developers, researchers, and other government agencies. In the past, solutions were just available to stakeholders, but with cloud, innovations are open to all, allowing the participants to collaborate proactively.

For instance, a company can have thousands of employees spread across the state in remote locations. But the lack of ability to share essential information quickly with colleagues in different divisions or cities can slow down the work. A move to cloud-based tools can assist enterprises to promptly facilitate information sharing, thereby increasing productivity and reducing the need for in-person travel. Furthermore, the process helps the organization with reduced travel costs.

Check out: Top Cloud Solution Companies

Changes to Optimize Cloud Usage

To unlock the cloud’s full potential can need significant organizational changes. The managerial transition can be a remarkable advantage because it makes sure that the whole association adopts leading practices such as DevOps and Agile. Besides, the method can also pose significant challenges, often requiring an entire revamp of an organization’s operating model.

Most government agencies aim to use the cloud to leverage technologies such as blockchain, AI, and quantum computing. To achieve the goal, the government investments and policies can help encourage cloud adoption. But eventually, using the cloud for novelty will require a mindset shift in government: from measuring cost savings from the cloud to developing pioneering facilities.

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