Digital transformation for local government

Digital transformation is a hot topic across virtually every industry. By 2030, the market for technologies that enable digital transformation is projected to grow to $8.92 trillion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.6%. 

Government is no exception: The US federal government has been working toward improving its digital services since 2012. With recent technological advancements, this initiative has expanded to include investments in cybersecurity enhancements and stable internet for all US citizens. 

The same is true at the local level, where agencies manage processes with careful attention to detail. In local government, digital transformation helps improve internal workflows and serve constituents better. Incorporating digital technology into local and state government organizations will be critical for improving citizen services moving forward.

Understanding the importance of digital transformation for local governments

Legacy IT systems have had their day in the public sector. Digital transformation makes governance significantly easier for local authorities by: 

• Improving cybersecurity: Technological advancements have led to incredible innovations in cybersecurity, such as AI-powered threat detection and multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Eliminating data silos: Employees from every department can access files, edit documents, and make decisions based on the most current data
• Enabling hybrid workplaces: Cloud-based technologies enable people to work from anywhere, on any device — which means agencies reap the benefits of hybrid and remote work
• Saving money: The cloud provides secure, accessible storage for all agency content, which eliminates the need to maintain costly, inefficient hardware that takes up space and IT’s time
• Improving sustainability: Digital transformation enables agencies to go paperless, eliminating unnecessary waste and creating a more sustainable government

For local governments, digital transformation prepares organizations to better serve an increasingly tech-savvy society.

Digital transformation use cases in local government

Digital transformation has the power to radically change how governments operate moving forward. Here are some of the most beneficial use cases for digital technologies in modern government organizations.

Procurement

Manual procurement processes are slow, inefficient, and complex, consuming valuable time and sometimes causing agencies to make late payments to vendors. Digital transformation and new technologies make purchasing significantly more efficient and less resource-intensive by moving these processes online, saving agencies valuable time and money. It also makes keeping up with tasks much easier by providing easy document storage.

Smart city initiatives

Smart cities use advanced technologies to improve the quality of life for their citizens. The smart cities market is projected to grow rapidly over the coming years, and cloud services are essential to smart city infrastructure.

Smart infrastructure collects enormous amounts of data from security cameras, motion sensors, and similar devices — but how does all that data get organized? Migrating to the cloud makes storing, organizing, accessing, and analyzing lots of data simple and cost-effective. And now, with the power of AI, organizations can do more than ever with this kind of data.

Case management

Legal departments in local governments handle all sorts of tasks, from directing council employees to representing people in high-profile court cases. It goes without saying that a lot of data flows through these departments daily.

Adopting new digital technologies helps agencies accelerate claims intake, processing, and archiving, reducing the burden on employees and moving investigations forward faster. For example, public attorneys use cloud services to securely store and manage case files, permit applications, and other important documents to ensure they’re ready for trial.

Interagency collaboration

Government agencies often need to work together to achieve their shared goals. Due to the lack of integrations, legacy applications often create roadblocks for collaboration between government agencies. For example, sending different versions of the same document back and forth over email often results in confusion and drawn-out conversations.

The cloud provides a centralized digital place for a government’s entire document library, eliminating the hassle of accessing and editing documents between agencies. Seamless integration between government applications also reduces friction, providing a better user experience for both employees and citizens.

Plus, employees can collaborate on the same document and see each other’s edits in real time. Everyone easily stays on the same page with cloud-based collaboration tools.

Leveraging cloud storage solutions for digital transformation

Local government cloud solutions often include the following features, which help create a smooth digital transformation.

• Advanced cybersecurity features: Top-tier cloud providers include proactive cybersecurity tools and technologies, such as AES-256 encryption and AI-driven threat detection 
• Automation: Intelligent automation features take over repetitive tasks, streamlining workflows and freeing staff to do more meaningful work
• Real-time collaboration: Employees can edit the same documents simultaneously and see everyone’s changes in real time, enabling more efficient and effective work
• Remote access: The cloud enables agencies to build mobile applications that allow employees to access documents in the field and streamline information exchange with the public
• Citizen engagement: Cloud storage tools for local governments help agencies deliver seamless online and mobile services with modern, streamlined experiences

Before implementing new digital technology, it’s important to plan for the roadblocks your agency will encounter along the way.

Getting buy-in for digital transformation in local government

Digital tools are key to improving citizen services, but there are some common roadblocks agencies face when embarking on their digital transformation journeys. A clear, well-defined roadmap helps your agency navigate these challenges confidently.

Perhaps the most significant challenge to digital transformation in the public sector is a lack of engagement and buy-in within the agency — specifically, among agency leadership. It’s difficult for any organization to successfully adopt new technologies when its people push back. 

Getting buy-in from your most important stakeholders is the best way to move forward. When you have influential people who believe in your digital transformation, they demonstrate the value of your investment and convince the rest of your people to give it a fair shot.

Discover the power of the Content Cloud

With a single secure platform for all your content, Box enables you to manage the entire content lifecycle: file creation, co-editing, sharing, e-signature, classification, retention, and so much more. We make it easy for you to collaborate on content with anyone, both inside and outside your organization. Frictionless, enterprise-grade security and compliance are built into our DNA, so you get total peace of mind that your content is protected. And with 1,500+ seamless integrations — as well as a range of native capabilities, like e-signatures and AI, the Content Cloud provides a single content layer that ensures your teams can work the way they want.

The Content Cloud is a game changer for the entire organization, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity across every team. Contact us today, and explore what you can do with Box.

While we maintain our steadfast commitment to offering products and services with best-in-class privacy, security, and compliance, the information provided in this blog post is not intended to constitute legal advice. We strongly encourage prospective and current customers to perform their own due diligence when assessing compliance with applicable laws.