Government Technology
Government Technology: State & Local Government News Articles

Bloomberg Goes Bold with IT



Print
Comment

Jan 21, 2008, By Tod Newcombe, Editor

Like most large cities, New York gets criticized for hogging the limelight. Hollywood hasn't helped matters by making the Big Apple the location for some of its most recent movies (mostly dealing with disasters of one kind or another).

And it's the same with IT. We've given more than our fair share of coverage to the city's IT program, especially its 311 service, despite the fact that many other cities are doing similar projects.
 
But big IT stories don't happen just because New York is big. Leadership is a significant reason why New York continues to capture our attention. Mayor Michael Bloomberg hasn't just poured lots of tax dollars into flashy IT projects that have a unique scale because they operate in New York City. From the start, the former Wall Street businessman has shown a savvy understanding of IT's capabilities -- and limitations -- building up the city's digital facade through e-government while slowly integrating the back-end systems that make the city work. 

Bloomberg also has shown he has a politician's touch when it comes to getting the public behind expensive IT projects. As any CIO knows, 311/CRM (customer relationship management) systems aren't cheap. Not only do they require a hefty investment in technology, they also require lots of human operators to answer the inevitable increase in hotline calls, as the software and the three-digit number simplify how a citizen can inquire, complain or ask for help.

Under Bloomberg's direction, New York City heavily promoted the use of 311, despite the fact that it must have cost the city several dollars every time an operator answered the phone. And we're talking 30,000 to 40,000 calls per day! But now, the city loves the service so much, they wouldn't dare cut its budget, nor would citizens accept a reduced version of 311.

That brings us to this week's news. Bloomberg presented his State of the City address and outlined nearly 12 major IT projects the city plans to undertake. They range from GPS for school buses to a new wireless platform for wireless, congestion pricing and, yes, more enhancements to the city's 311 program.

Not all these projects will be funded and implemented. But they represent a strikingly overt emphasis by the mayor to align technology with his vision of a safer, more transparent city, with services that are responsive to the needs of its citizens. In other words, the mayor is not afraid to put technology on the same page as the key business and service goals of his administration.

At a time when most government chief executives seem to be backpedaling from the notion that IT is one of the few key drivers that can transform Industrial Age government into 21st-century government, up steps Bloomberg to speak out loudly that the city is going to move ahead -- thanks, in large part, to smart investments in technology. 

We could use a few more leaders like him.


If You Liked This Article, You May Also Like...


Latest Government Technology News


Industry Solutions for Government

Read real world deployments of technology in government from our sponsors.

View All Industry Solutions

Related Products and Services

Marketplace



This section
brought to you by:


Mobile Communications Survey Executive Summary

More than 200 responses were captured to help gauge the effectiveness and types of communications and situational awareness capabilities currently deployed for emergency response. View the Executive Summary Now!

Dispatch Operations and Interoperability

A New Era in Public Safety BlackBerry® smartphones running on Sprint networks deliver a wide range of applications that are transforming public safety operations.


Hurricane Preparedness Tips When a hurricane hits, are you prepared to keep in touch?


Case Study - Morris County, New Jersey The Morris County Communications Center upgraded to a new trunked radio system with the benefits of a cellular network, extending coverage beyond county lines


Case Study - Iredell County, North Carolina Spanning over 570 sq miles, it became imperative that the Iredell County Emergency Communications, Operations and Management extend it's communications systems to enhance reliability, security, and coverage.


Case Study - City of Anaheim, California The City of Anaheim saw an opportunity to leverage existing GST and partner with nearby cities to enhance safety operations through data interoperability.


Case Study - Charlottesville, Virginia Fire Department Taking advantage of a range of interoperability solution, the Charlottesville Fire Department has achieved a network that can serve as backup to their existing public safety network.


Sprint ERT Go-Kit with GST Optima Rapid, interoperable communications for emergencies, drills and field exercises.


Optimal Interoperability Until recently it was not possible to cost effectively connect commercial networks to LMR systems. Improvements in communications technology have resulted in greatly enhanced operational capability and have reduced the log-term cost of communications system ownership.


Multi-agency interoperability for Public Safety Establishing cross-agency, real-time situational awareness is critical to effective incident management as well as daily resource management.


Video


DHS Grant Links

DHS Grants and Assistance Programs Link to overview of available grants administered by The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)


Fact Sheet: Fiscal Year 2008 Preparedness Grants Major changes in funding and focus for 2008 DHS grant programs


Remarks on 2008 Homeland Security Grant Guidance DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and FEMA Administrator David Paulison


$1.8 billion in DHS Homeland Security Grant Program Awards


Funding Public Safety Communications Whether you are a law enforcement agency, looking for funding to support an interoperable communications solution or a school, seeking to improve communications between building administrators, grants may provide the funding you need to implement a robust, scalable communication system.


Yes! I would like more information about Sprint's dispatch operations and interoperability solutions.