Cloud computing offers state and local governments a real opportunity to meet many technical and budgetary challenges by delivering applications, platforms and infrastructure without ownership or capital investment. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a central place to learn more about the technology, outstanding issues, implementation requirements and real-life, working examples in this sector? Fortunately, now there is.

State and local governments can turn to a new report by the TechAmerica Foundation’s State and Local Government Cloud Commission (SLG-CC). The Commission engaged both government leaders and cloud providers to develop a one-stop resource for any government leader charged with evaluating and planning cloud solutions and strategies.

I was honored and enthusiastic to participate on the Commission and as a vendor panelist at the launch event on February 16, 2012, and am extremely proud of the work that’s been done. There was a great deal of time devoted to ensure that unique issues that applied to state and local government were uncovered and discussed. As a former CIO in the private and public sector, I was very pleased to participate in these discussions.

CGI was also an active participant in sharing insights from developing our cloud solutions for public sector clients, such as the State of Wyoming, Wake County, NC, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. General Services Administration.

By sharing best practices and success stories, and creating a new web portal, the SLG-CC is promoting an ongoing dialogue between industry and state and local governments. I encourage you to join the conversation.