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Phoenix Update

BYOD and Sunny Award

If sunlight is the best antiseptic, Phoenix should be totally germ-free. In addition to warm winters and broiling summers , Phoenix has received a "Sunny Award" three years in a row for governmental transparency. The Phoenix website was recognized again this year by Sunshine Review for the city's proactive disclosure of information including budget reports, elected officials, public meeting agendas and minutes, and contracts and public records, as well as for the ease of use and availability of information. The only omission, according to a report, was lack of lobbying disclosure.

“I have made it a priority to bring transparency to city government because openness and accountability is good for taxpayers and for the city,” said Mayor Greg Stanton in a release. “I want our city to be accessible to its residents, and one way to do that is through an easily navigable website that provides point-and-click access to information. I want to thank our Web team for their hard work in making this possible and making the city proud.”

Back in October, Government Technology talked to then-CIO Charles Thompson and Security Officer Randell Smith about integrating personal mobile devices into city operations -- or BYOD -- and Thompson said that a mobile device management platform was being looked at, and policies were being developed. Since then, Thompson moved on to become CIO of Houston, and Rob Sweeney took over in Phoenix as acting CIO.

Phoenix Public Information Specialist Margaret Shalley told GT this week that the city has a new service called Traveler that allows city employees to access email, calendars and contacts using their personal Android and Apple phones and tablets. In addition, she said, standards for use of mobile devices have also been approved.

Wayne E. Hanson served as a writer and editor with e.Republic from 1989 to 2013, having worked for several business units including Government Technology magazine, the Center for Digital Government, Governing, and Digital Communities. Hanson was a juror from 1999 to 2004 with the Stockholm Challenge and Global Junior Challenge competitions in information technology and education.