July 15, 2009 By Steve Towns, Editor
Growing adoption of cloud computing could improve data sharing and promote collaboration among federal, state and local governments, according to federal CIO Vivek Kundra.
In an interview Tuesday with Government Technology, Kundra called cloud computing a "huge opportunity" to remake intergovernmental IT relationships.
"For far too long we've been thinking very much vertically and making sure things are separated," he said. "Now we have an opportunity to lead with solutions that by nature encourage collaboration both horizontally and vertically."
Kundra also said he's re-examining federal funding rules that state and local officials say promote poor IT system design and inefficient use of scarce dollars. Shortly after last November's election, representatives from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) met with President Barack Obama's transition team about modifying rules for spending money given to states for operating federal health care, transportation, social services and public safety programs. NASCIO contends that cost-allocation guidelines and technology requirements tied to these funds often clash with state data-sharing and enterprise architecture initiatives.
"That's an issue we are actively looking at right now," Kundra said. "From my experience with the commonwealth of Virginia [as assistant secretary of commerce and trade] and also the District of Columbia [as chief technology officer], that's an issue that we dealt with and we're actually working with NASCIO to figure out what will be the best path forward."
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Based off of discussions of the Digital Communities Large Jurisdiction Chief Information Officer (CIO) Working Group, this white paper aims to answer the question, "In today's economic, political and business environment, what constitutes a successful relationship between government and industry?" Cause for Optimism identifies and clarifies the issues that separate government and industry, and begins to find an answer to the question necessary for both to enjoy a successful and prosperous future.
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