Data Is Your Most Valuable Government Asset

Digitalist

Hello. This is your daily Digitalist insight, brought to you by SAP. Today we’re taking a look at the importance of data in government. Governments at all levels face seemingly overwhelming challenges today—from exploding costs and aging infrastructure to education and healthcare inequities. At the center of these challenges are the citizens they are responsible for. In order to improve their lives and use their tax dollars wisely in the digital age we must put citizens in the middle of a comprehensive data strategy making data a government’s most valuable asset. A recent paper by IDC notes that governments around the world are already finding that “real gains in insights occur when data from multiple agencies can be combined through open platforms and analyzed through advanced analytics to derive new insights and findings.” Let’s explore some of the real world examples they provide. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) built a dashboard that integrates multiple data sets, including safety data received from states. Overlaid with railroad crossings, zip codes, and census data, the dashboard enables DOT to visualize heavy-traffic areas with high numbers of accidents and fatalities, pedestrian accidents, and hazmat spills and to storyboard the causes. The state of Indiana is using big data and analytics to tackle infant mortality and drug abuse. They began gathering data from law enforcement and public health agencies. Now Indiana can visualize data by creating geospatial maps, color-coordinated line graphs with trend data, and even a time-lapse map that shows how the drug epidemic has evolved over time. The team can also identify hotspots and determine the best way to allocate resources to combat the problem. The city of Buenos Aires combines the power of analytics with modern LED fixtures to enable smart street lighting. The system provides the city with real-time insight into power outages, broken lights, and vandalism. The city can also track installation speed and contractor information in real time, saving on maintenance costs and ensuring that issues are fixed quickly. As you can see, the digital age provides opportunity for great advancements in the social sphere. Tune in tomorrow as we discuss how organizations can begin to power similar positive outcomes from data. That’s today’s briefing. For more business insights and ideas on disruptive technology and trends, visit www.Digitalistmag.com from SAP.