Cloud Computing in Local Government

Abstract

Although there is no precise definition, cloud computing refers to a scalable network infrastructure where consumers receive IT services such as software and data storage through the Internet on a subscription basis, like traditional utilities. Potential benefits include cost savings, simpler IT, and reduced energy consumption. The UK government and local authorities, like commercial organisations, are considering cloud-based services. However, concerns have been raised over issues such as security, access, data protection, and ownership. This paper investigates the likely impact of cloud computing on local government based on a conceptual framework and case studies of four London borough councils. It reveals that the concept of cloud computing is new and not clearly understood. Local authorities, who in the current economic downturn face further cuts in government funding, welcome a cloud-based IT infrastructure which may lead to considerable savings. Yet with their risk-adverse attitude local authorities are more likely to adopt a hybrid approach to implementation. Concerns over data security and privacy may be overcome if relevant laws and standards are complied with.

Understanding Local Government Digital Technology Adoption Strategies: A PRISMA Review

“…Cloud computing is "a mechanism or model for enabling easy, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of devices such as server, network, storage services, application, service and other advanced computing devices which are configurable" [41]. Cloud-based delivery models are quickly grabbing the attention of IT government leaders due to limited budgets, a lack of adequate skills, and as part of the e-Government agenda [42].…”

“…Cost-effective finance management Budget and time, cost serving, expectation of reduced costs, funding, goal to improve service despite the increased cost, reduction in electricity and natural resource consumption. [22,40,42,44,56,57,60] Enhance the quality-of-service delivery Anticipated benefits, appropriate system design, business operation, clear implementation plan, data governance, effort expectancy, goal clarity, improvement in government activity, organizational resource, organizational efficiency, performance measures, phased implementation, professional project management, strategic focus, transparency, and uncertainty. [1,4,11,39,40,42,57,[60][61][62][63] 3.…”

“…Cost-Effective Finance Management Previous research emphasized that cost-effective finance management is the primary opportunity that comes from adopting digital technologies as it is the local government's economic sustainability and primary function [40,56,61]. Local governments are trying to devise cost-efficient ways to restructure their IT infrastructure to cut expenses [42]. Electronic document delivery to the stakeholders and the adoption of energy-efficient technology are basic finance management methods adopted by most local governments [22].…”

“…Electronic document delivery to the stakeholders and the adoption of energy-efficient technology are basic finance management methods adopted by most local governments [22]. Meanwhile, as an advanced method, local governments adopt cloud computing as it shares a common platform and networks, decreasing hardware expenditure, maintenance expenses, and energy consumption [42]. Additionally, [25] identified several benefits of utilizing AI in local governments.…”

Cloud Computing SaaS Paradigm for Efficient Modelling of Solar Features and Activities

“…The customer has no control neither over network, storage, servers, infrastructure, platform, application; only limited preferences are allowed for the customer. ("DropBox," 2008;"FaceBook," 2004;"SalesForce," 1999) These advantages and the different configurations makes the Cloud a fertilized environment for hundreds of application and business models such as local government (Chang & Johnston, 2012), e-Governance(Sasikala, 2012), Education (Ercan, 2010), mobile e-Learning (Ferzli & Khalife, 2011), e-Commerce (Yang, Pan, & Shen, 2010), mobile healthcare (Doukas, Pliakas, & Maglogiannis, 2010;Varshney, 2007) and mobile gaming (S. Wang & Dey, 2009).…”