News & Events

Q: Do you see more differences or similarities among the local governments you visit throughout the US and abroad?

• A: Similarities for sure, in terms of the challenges that all local governments and their leaders face. Everyone has had to cut budgets and is looking for how to maintain quality services with the resources that are left. The differences we see are the approaches and solutions that are applied to such challenges. And that is where each agency can benefit from the example and lessons learned that others can offer.

Q: Can you provide an example?

•  A: One of our clients, Abu Dhabi, experienced tremendous growth a few years ago and there was valuable insight that California municipal managers were able to pass along, given the growth they had been managing for years. When Abu Dhabi then launched a policy requiring all building permits to be managed via an e-government web portal, U.S. agencies benefited from the tremendous leap forward that was made in the e-government online permits arena. Even if U.S. agencies will not go as far as requiring the entire community development process to be conducted online, they can utilize the tools and experience to benefit their customers that have been waiting for this type of innovation.

Q: Speaking specifically of software, are there any developments that stand out as notable for all governments? 

• A: Well we have always focused on offering one core software code set to avoid the pitfalls that come with multiple, singular solutions. That in itself is a development that is valued worldwide. But there are still specific customizations and features that clients need, and those are added via custom levers or options to the core code. Some of these that were key for one client or region and that we now see being adopted elsewhere are: escrow or deposit account management features to capture and track revenue at the beginning of a project; localization to offer systems in any language; and features for quick inspections or faster loading of GIS application layers.

Q: What are the top e-Government trends you see in the next few years? 

• A: Integration, Self-Directed Customizations, GIS-Driven Tools, Outsourcing and Partnerships. I'm authoring a piece right now for a national magazine to further expand on these trends and I look forward to sharing that in depth piece in the fall.