Microsoft Hosts Government CIOs

REDMOND, WASH. -- At the Microsoft U.S. Public Sector CIO Summit in March, company executives, including CEO Steve Ballmer, were on hand to explain how the software giant could help agencies grapple with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Teresa Carlson, vice president of U.S. federal government business, said Microsoft is counting on its Elevate America program to aid in retraining workers in technology so they can compete for some of the jobs ARRA is designed to create.

In addition to stimulus chatter, content resource management, business intelligence and unified communications were thoroughly discussed. But it was cloud computing that seemed on the mind of Microsoft executives and government attendees. The cloud conversation reached its peak during Ballmer's speech when he announced all Microsoft products would one day be available in the cloud.

Other highlights included how Microsoft's HealthVault might play a role in health IT spending and a rousing demonstration of Microsoft Surface and Silverlight technology. -- Chad Vander Veen, Associate Editor

Video: How a high tech tool helped Tampa Bay public safety officials stay ahead of the game.

Cal/EPA: In a Green Frame of Mind

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. -- Linda Adams, secretary for environmental protection of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA), was a speaker at the Green California Summit and Exposition in March. She spoke of increasing green development during tough economic times.

"‘Green' is a much-used term these days," Adams said. "It's a frame of mind."

She said California is the first state to actively engage the United Nations on the topic of sustainability, and the state's goal is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Adams also said the Cal/EPA headquarters building is the greenest high-rise in the West, earning it a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification -- the highest LEED rating. The 950,000-square-foot, 25-story building features 736 photovoltaic panels on the low-rise roofs that can produce up to 55,180 kilowatt-hours of solar energy, low-flow toilets and high-efficiency/low-mercury lighting tubes, among many environmentally friendly elements. -- Elaine Rundle, Staff Writer

Govtech.com Hot List

Here are the 10 most popular stories on Govtech.com from Feb. 27, 2009 to March 29, 2009.

1. 2009 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers
Government Technology presents its annual salute to public-sector innovators.

2. Site Reveals Salaries of New York State Employees
Conservative think tank launches Web site with comprehensive state financial data.

3. Vivek Kundra Named Federal CIO
Washington, D.C., CTO Vivek Kundra will take newly created federal CIO post.

4. Open Source -- Is It Free?
Number of open source