Why state and local governments need a modern network and keys for building one

State and local governments, the frontline delivery services much of the population rely upon every day, face difficult challenges when it comes to the modernization of their IT networks. The pandemic proved just how challenged many of these government agencies are when it comes to widespread disruption of normal operations, which is a serious concern considering that digital destinations are the first point of contact for service delivery to the public. This includes journeys necessary for the public to access municipalities for information pertaining to any number of functional areas, including.

• Transportation
• Emergency services
• Urban planning
• Public health access
• Permitting and licensing

Without question, these are difficult times to be responsible for public sector information technology; however, what follows are some keys for agencies to consider deploying to improve government network performance and ensure continued public confidence and trust.

Embracing digital transformation

Across public sector agencies throughout the country, modernization is becoming increasingly essential — especially for departments attempting to keep pace with the evolving needs of the state. Whether updating policies and procedures or adapting spending and budgets — modernization allows state and local departments to better serve its residents. During the past decade, one of the more significant enhancements government IT networks have instituted is the transition to the cloud. A growing number of government agencies have learned that moving to the cloud can lower costs and improve efficiencies. In a recent survey conducted by the Center for Digital Government (CDG), 37 percent of state and local governments claim that the biggest benefit of cloud services has been lowering total operating costs.¹ In fact, 41% of state and local government CIOs listed migrating their infrastructure to the cloud as a top priority, so its influence on the sector is quite profound.²  Another equally important advancement that is transforming the way in which services are being delivered for state and local governments is the Internet of Things (IoT). Networked cameras and controllers, smart sensors and other IoT devices are transforming the way in which services are delivered, monitored and managed. But like many emerging technologies, IoT adoption places more pressure on government networks. In a recent survey, 59 percent of respondents say their network can’t handle the expected demands of IoT over the next 12 to 18 months.³

Planning for future growth

Strategically planned network modernization makes it possible to achieve agency goals, align them across a multitude of municipalities, optimize budgets and resources, and ultimately meet the demands of residents. By strengthening your technological foundation, you can implement or expand upon the use of advanced analytics, the cloud, virtualization and the IoT.

It’s worth noting that legacy networks aren’t capable of supporting the performance demands of modern applications. Hence, network modernization delivers a much-needed performance boost, creating a better user experience for employees and citizens.

But, planning first for this growth and innovation is critical. Your network bandwidth consumption today is not going to be the same next year. Taking the time to plan for the future can prevent unexpected and inconvenient upgrade costs, minimize speed issues from an over-taxed network, and save you money in the long run. A 3-5 year plan is essential for a good network design plan.

Owned vs. managed services

Public sector agencies no longer have to purchase and manage all their IT infrastructure. Instead, governments can choose solutions that are installed, owned and managed by a service provider. What follows are some factors to consider when making this decision:

• Flexibility: When you buy your own equipment, you’re investing in a specific network infrastructure with a fixed capacity. If your needs change faster than you anticipated, or if you underestimated the demands on your network from the outset, you’ll have to invest more money and time to upgrade. If flexibility is a priority, a managed solution lets you add more capacity as desired.
• Reliability: When you own your network equipment, you’re responsible for all maintenance and repairs. With a managed solution, you have the peace of mind that comes from having a service level agreement (SLA) in place guaranteeing network uptime and issue resolution response times.
• Budgeting: Would you rather incur a large up-front expense or have monthly recurring charges? Some agencies would prefer the single capital outlay that comes from buying and installing their own equipment; for others, a fixed monthly rate for a managed service makes it easier to budget.
• Capacity: A growing number of IT leaders are finding that a managed solution that can deploy technicians 24/7/365 to address problems frees up staff from having to perform routine maintenance tasks, so they can spend more time on strategic initiatives that enhance their municipality’s mission.

One important facet of a modern network is that it’s more scalable, which allows you to add services, applications and resources, as well as the capacity to support increasing traffic and data consumption. Another substantial problem with legacy systems is that they frequently operate in silos and provide limited visibility into both activity and the overall health of the network. Network modernization overcomes these challenges, providing the visibility and transparency IT managers crave to improve application performance, user productivity, and network security.

With respect to security, network modernization typically involves integrating security tools and services into a multi-layer system that protects data on-premise or in a cloud environment. Government agency networks are being increasingly targeted for the wealth of data they store, and network modernization enables you to fortify your defenses with new, emerging solutions.

Choosing the right partner

The challenge for state and local governments is aligning with the right partner to implement the strategy. A strong partner not only has the necessary technical expertise to spur transformation but can also construct effective roll-out strategies specific to the organization or department.  Here are four important qualities to look for in a network service provider:

• Industry leadership. Does the provider have the size, capacity and expertise to serve your needs effectively? Is the company stable and reliable, with a strong reputation in the industry?
• Cutting-edge technology. Does the provider employ the latest standards and technologies? Do the company’s products reflect the latest industry developments?
• Experience in the government market. Does the provider understand the unique needs of government agencies? Does it have a proven track record of success in serving this market?
• Top-notch service. Does the provider value you as a customer? Will you receive prompt answers to your questions? Is someone available at all hours in the event of an emergency?

Simply put, network modernization is a necessity for public sector agencies. Evaluate the role a valued partner can play within your own individual organization and take the necessary steps toward transformation. Start by contacting Spectrum Enterprise, the dedicated public-sector IT experts who serve hundreds of government agencies nationwide with a network engineered for exceptional performance, end-to-end accountability and support.

Learn how to exceed your business goals today and tomorrow with Spectrum Enterprise solutions.

Sources:

1.    “Gaining Steam: Cloud Platform Adoption and Emerging Technologies,” Center for Digital Government, 2019

2.    John Aldecoa, “IT Modernization Survey,” Center for Digital Government, July 8, 2020

3.    “Smart Network Infrastructure: The Backbone of Sustainable IoT Initiatives,” Center for Digital Government and Spectrum Enterprise, 2020.