The cloud as an economic development tool

Economic prosperity is a major goal for governments around the world. It means more jobs, an improved standard of living, and the revenue required to build and maintain infrastructure.

Most government leaders we talk to have a strategic plan in place to spur economic development. And technologies such as high-speed networking are opening up opportunities by allowing local businesses and residents to work from anywhere. Cloud computing can move the bar even further, fostering economic prosperity while creating the means for local talent to solve important public sector challenges.

The cloud levels the playing field by making it possible for businesses to get started without a lot of capital. By developing their businesses in the cloud, companies can bypass the cost of building and maintaining their own IT infrastructure, and instead pay as they go for the computing power and storage they actually use. Governments are already harnessing this trend to drive new economic activity, fostering the creation of start-ups focused on solving local problems. At the same time, innovation and procurement policies need to ensure that government projects are open to small firms.

Thanks to the cloud, local businesses are already starting to pop up in many parts of the world—and they are developing creative solutions to the problems governments face. A few examples:

• Australian start-up GIS People created Gruntify, a data collection and collaboration suite built on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. With its real-time data sharing capability, and by leveraging mobile, cloud and geospatial technologies, Gruntify can aid organizations across many sectors, from smart cities, to public safety, to conservation management. The solution is currently helping the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads in its fight against graffiti, by tracking and managing removal of graffiti throughout a state that spans more than 1.7 million square kilometers. Using Gruntify, Queensland officials can also create reports detailing where the graffiti hotspots are and then take preventive measures such as installing security cameras and fences. The solution resulted from an Open Innovation Challenge sponsored by the Queensland government and PwC. GIS People retained full rights to the software it developed, so the company can now offer its enterprise solution to other customers worldwide.

• Singapore-based S3 Innovate is using building sensors, Microsoft Azure IoT Suite, and advanced analytics to develop products aimed at helping the Republic of Singapore achieve its goal of “greening” 80 percent of its buildings by 2030. A Microsoft BizSpark Plus partner, S3 Innovate developed a solution that continuously monitors building cooling systems, which makes it possible for owners to perform preventive maintenance and save on energy costs.

• New Zealand IT service provider LeapThought developed Fulcrum, a smart construction management solution that is helping the city of Auckland better manage transportation projects. Based on SharePoint and other Microsoft technologies, the solution makes it easy for Auckland Transport to track and manage all phases of transportation projects including property acquisitions, contract management, and communication with interested parties. The agency estimates it will save $3 million in the first 10 years, and it expects the savings to grow as Fulcrum is rolled out for use on more than 200 capital projects.

Tony Newling

Microsoft Senior Director, Government, Public Sector Asia

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