By Stephanie Baskerville on February 13, 2018

5 Key Public Sector Technology Trends in 2018

 

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Technology trends are rapidly changing, and the public sector is set to experience a more disruptive future. Along with many other high priority items, such as repairing or replacing infrastructure, new housing developments to meet the need of the growing population, and first responder initiatives, technology trends should be on your list of priorities in order to save money, secure data, and improve productivity. Here is a quick summary of 5 key public sector technology trends in 2018:

Public Sector Tech Trend #1 – Embrace the Cloud to Increase Efficiency

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The Cloud has the potential to address major inefficiencies in the public sector, such as time-consuming procurement processes, low asset utilization, duplications in various IT systems, and a growing demand for resources. Switching to a model that embraces the Cloud, and implementing Cloud-enabled systems, like Office 365, can significantly help those agencies who may be struggling to provide innovative and highly reliable services because of resource or budgeting constraints.


The #Cloud is not only for your office workers but also for your firstline workers, including clerks, emergency response teams, police officers, and parks and recreation workers.


The Cloud is not only for your office workers but also for your firstline workers, including clerks, emergency response teams, police officers, and parks and recreation workers. With a Cloud-enabled system that is designed for them (who mainly work out in the field, rather than in the office), you can easily on-board, train, and up-skill them, digitize business process, and effectively manage risk and cost. See details, including plans and pricing >>

 

Public Sector Tech Trend #2 - Modernize Legacy Systems

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In keeping with the trend of switching to Cloud, another technology trend that the public sector will see in 2018 is the modernization of various legacy systems that are currently running in on-premise server environments. The Cloud gives the public sector an opportunity to keep up with those they’re serving because it’s simpler and more user-friendly than having to sift through legacy technology.

Before modernizing any legacy systems, however, the public sector will need to be aware of their current IT capabilities, where there are any gaps, and if there are significant weaknesses that might hinder their goals for modernization. An IT Roadmap, therefore, is the perfect first step in modernizing a legacy system. Engaging in an IT Roadmap discussion will help to point out the key areas where public sector organizations can increase productivity by implementing the right technology that meets their needs, save costs by removing unnecessary, inefficient applications and technology, and improve their overall IT security in the process.

 

Public Sector Tech Trend #3 – Utilize Advanced Data and Analytics

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There is always pressure for the public sector to make smarter decisions, deliver more results, and demonstrate that they can be held accountable. Thus, public sector IT departments need to be continually increasing the volume of data that they can handle and improving the fact-based decisions they make from that data. Data needs to be processed efficiently to be of any use. Think of data as an uncut diamond – there’s plenty of potential there, but until it’s refined, it’s not as useful to the end user. Implementing a Business Intelligence tool, like Power BI, provides you with the tools needed to refine that data.


Think of #data as an uncut diamond. Plenty of potential there. But until it’s refined, it’s not as useful to the end user.


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Related:
Power BI, Your Business Intelligence Tool – Features & Benefits

Public Sector Tech Trend #4 – Take Cybersecurity Seriously

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2017 saw dozens of major cyberbreaches, with millions of people affected by them. 14 million of Verizon’s subscribers were exposed in a sloppy security lapse. The Equifax data breach exposed highly sensitive and personal information of 143 million of their consumers. The WannaCry Ransomware attack affected millions of computers, infiltrated several UK-based National Health Services locations, and spread to over 200 countries.

It’s no wonder, therefore, that cybersecurity will continue to be a trend going into 2018. Although 100% security can’t be guaranteed, there is a great need to mitigate as much risk as possible. Active monitoring and a need for additional personnel are just two ways that the public sector will need to change their security stance. Do you know your IT infrastructure enough to implement the right cybersecurity tools and practices? Talk to us about our Cybersecurity Assessment.

 

Public Sector Tech Trend #5 – Implement a No-Collar Workforce

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With the introduction of cognitive technologies, automation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the public sector will see a major change in the way that work gets done in 2018. By programming AI-driven technology (a.k.a. the “no-collar workforce”) as an augmented workforce, public sector organizations can allow these AI bots to take on any repetitive administrative tasks. This allows other staff members time to devote their brainpower to more strategic activities.


#AI takes on repetitive tasks. Human staff devotes more of their brainpower to more strategic activities.


 

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Published by Stephanie Baskerville February 13, 2018