http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/Subscribe to this RSS feed to get the latest information on Microsoft products and technologies for government© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.en-usFri, 25 May 2012 -08:00 GMThttp://m.webtrends.com/dcsjwb9vb00000c932fd0rjc7_5p3t/dcs.gif?dcsdat=00041820080900&dcssip=www.microsoft.com&dcsuri=/industry/government/news/NewsRSS.xml&WT.sp= _industry_government_&WT.ti=Microsoft%20Government%20RSS&source=rss&WT.dl=0Federal agencies, Congress and the White House have talked for years about the necessity of cutting wasteful IT spending and squeezing all the value they can out of existing IT assets. Now, agencies have a new challenge: mandated procedures and deadlines to start putting IT consolidation into practice.http://www.microsoft.com/government/en-us/federal/futurefed/pages/details.aspx?PortfolioStat-Sessions-Set-Deadlines-for-Agency-IT-Consolidation&blogid=154SubmittedThu, 24 May 2012 -08:00 GMTFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsOver the last year, we’ve seen a number of state and local governments using the cloud to make big impacts within their organizations and for their citizens.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Not_All_Clouds_are_Created_Equal?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 23 May 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsA smaller government agency needs the same world-class solution capabilities as a larger agency but often doesn’t have the staff, budget, and other resources required to purchase and support one.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Safer_Children_through_the_Cloud?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 18 May 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsOn May 2, 2012, Steven VanRoekel, the U.S. Chief Information Officer, released the Federal Information Technology Shared Services Strategy, which is a critical component of the OMB’s 25-Point Implementation Plan to Reform Federal IT Management.http://www.microsoft.com/government/en-us/federal/futurefed/pages/details.aspx?Maximizing-Value-from-a-“Shared-First”-Approach&blogid=151 SubmittedWed, 16 May 2012 -08:00 GMTFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsMicrosoft Public Sector DPE launched a nationwide mobile application development campaign today to bring citizens and developers together to build MOBILE AMERICA. Mobile America – the people hackathon is inspired by America itself – an event for the people, by the people.http://www.microsoft.com/government/en-us/federal/futurefed/pages/details.aspx?ANNOUNCING-MOBILE-AMERICA---THE-PEOPLE-HACKATHON&blogid=150SubmittedMon, 14 May 2012 -08:00 GMTFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsToday Microsoft is launching a nationwide mobile application development campaign to bring citizens and developers together to build apps that can solve national or local problems.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Build_a_Mobile_App_for_America_announcing_MOBILE_AMERICA_the_people_hackathon_?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 14 May 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsToday’s budget realities are forcing the military to find new ways to improve mission performance while spending less.http://www.microsoft.com/government/en-us/federal/futurefed/pages/details.aspx?U.S.-Army-Looking-to-the-Future-with-Kinect-Based-Helicopter-HUDs&blogid=147SubmittedFri, 11 May 2012 -08:00 GMTFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsRecently, we had the chance to discuss with editors at American City & County some of the great examples of how cloud computing is impacting IT in governments across the country.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Making_Strides_in_the_Private_Cloud?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 11 May 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsLast week, Office 365 blog shared an important milestone with its readers, announcing that Office 365 had been granted the Authority to Operate under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) by the Broadcasting Board of Governors.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Office_365_Adds_FISMA_to_Certification_List?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 07 May 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsReaching a global audience of 187 million people across 100 countries, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) informs, engages, and connects people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. Through networks like Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, BBG offers an objective information resource for citizens living in countries that lack a free press.http://www.microsoft.com/government/en-us/federal/futurefed/pages/details.aspx?Broadcasting-Board-of-Governors-Turns-to-the-Cloud-to-Spread-Democracy&blogid=146SubmittedThu, 03 May 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsIn 2010, the State of Georgia Department of Administrative Services launched a solution to improve the State’s understanding of spending across all departments and elements of the government; I wrote about this during an August 2010 blog entry.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Better_Solutions_for_Spending_Analysis?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 03 May 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsOver the last year, countless organizations and government agencies have made the switch to Office 365 and realized the benefits of operating in the cloud.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Fly_Free_in_the_Cloud_for_30_days?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 01 May 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsOne of the many perks of my job is regularly chatting with leaders at federal agencies, the White House and on Capitol Hill. It’s so valuable to get perspectives on government-wide challenges from so many different angles.http://www.microsoft.com/government/en-us/federal/futurefed/pages/details.aspx?You-already-own-that!-Waging-war-on-IT-redundancy&blogid=145SubmittedTue, 01 May 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageThe increased federal focus on critical infrastructure protection in recent years is a welcome development. Essential national assets such as power grids, water treatment plants and traffic control systems are beginning to realize the need for IT security improvements.http://www.microsoft.com/government/en-us/federal/futurefed/pages/details.aspx?Microsoft-Hosting-Inaugural-Security-Development-Conference-May-15-16&blogid=144SubmittedThu, 26 Apr 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsAs my Microsoft colleagues Kim Nelson and Stan Freck have written recently in this blog, Microsoft and its partners are active in the elections space, helping to improve campaigns while also enabling overseas military voters and providing other elections-related functions to include those based on Microsoft’s cloud computing environment, Windows Azure.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Elections_Related_Hackathon_Opportunity?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 26 Apr 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsWe always enjoy posting a variety of perspectives on the blog, especially from those who are leading innovation in the public sector.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Making_the_most_out_of_SharePoint_and_Fusion_Core_in_Public_Safety?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 23 Apr 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsIf you thought technology in the 2008 presidential race was a big deal, wait until you see what’s gearing up for 2012.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Meet_the_latest_2012_Election_Technologies?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 19 Apr 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsEach day, organizations at all levels of government are working hard to streamline their operations and improve their interactions with their citizens.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Commonwealth_of_Virginia_Wins_Real_Impact_Solution_Award_with_Dynamics_CRM?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 16 Apr 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsLast week, the Bright Side team told you about a number of great upcoming webinars focused on what SQL Server can do to help customers in the public sector manage data. Mentioned in the blog post was the upcoming SLG Summit, being held on the 26th and 27th of this month.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Join_Us_for_Game_Changing_Decisions_in_Government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 12 Apr 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsOne of the great things about the Microsoft State and Local site is that it is filled with free webinars and podcasts aimed at helping our customers serve their constituents better. And this month we’re introducing the new “Your Questions Answered” webcast series with a free session on managing a government private cloud.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Join_us_at_the_Your_Questions_Answered_Webcast_Managing_a_Government_Private_Cloud?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 09 Apr 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBack in February, I wrote a blog post about the importance of public-private collaboration in disaster response planning. Today I’d like to dive a little deeper into citizen service and talk about the new challenges faced by firefighters as they serve the citizens in their communities.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Fire_simulation_training_can_help_drive_safer_communities?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 05 Apr 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBack in March, Microsoft announced the availability of SQL Server 2012 to help customers manage "any data, any size, anywhere." The announcement showcased SQL Server’s proven capabilities in the public sector and, using the City of Virginia Beach as an example, the announcement also highlighted SQL Server’s ability to create solutions for the most unique and demanding data management needs.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Save_the_Dates_SQL_Server_2012_Events_this_April?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 02 Apr 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsAccording to a report issued recently by the National Governor’s Association (NGA), the nation’s governors are increasingly looking to Information Technology (IT) to help address the many challenges facing states.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Governors_Look_to_Microsoft_IT_Often_for_Cost_Saving_Measures?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 29 Mar 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBack in October 2010, I wrote a blog entry regarding the State of Georgia Archives pilot project for making legislative session recordings more accessible via search. Since then, Microsoft Research has refined its MAVIS (Microsoft Research Audio and Video Indexing System) technology, and it’s now commercially available.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=State_of_Georgia_Makes_Audio_and_Video_Recordings_Accessible_and_Searchable_Online?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 26 Mar 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsYesterday, Microsoft Dynamics released its 2012 Financial System Survey entitled "The Challenge of Change." Conducted alongside NASACT, the survey looks at the expectations, strategies, and practices used by states implementing or updating a government-wide or statewide financial system. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Microsoft_Dynamics_Releases_The_Challenge_of_Change_Survey?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedSat, 24 Mar 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsAccording to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, state governments will face a combined $47 billion deficit between projected revenue and costs for the new fiscal year that begins in July 2012.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=More_public_sector_organizations_turning_to_Microsoft_Dynamics_to_improve_citizen_experience?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 19 Mar 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsIt’s always rewarding to see Microsoft’s initiatives and innovations highlighted, but last month’s The Leader magazine showcased a cover story that hit particularly close to home – because it was our home.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Energy_Smart_Buildings_Reduce_Carbon_Footprints_and_Costs?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 16 Mar 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsAs I talk with CIO’s across State & Local Government, one of the recurring themes I’ve noticed is how cloud computing helps big governments act more like smaller ones, and the smaller ones to act like their larger colleagues - in all the best ways.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Small_Organizations_Doing_Big_Things_with_the_Cloud?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 13 Mar 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsEarlier this week, Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner gave audience members at his CeBIT keynote address a look at how Windows 8 will bring together the potential of a tablet with the power of a PC.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Windows_8_Consumer_Preview_Is_Ready_for_Business?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 08 Mar 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsTalk of the cloud is everywhere these days, and you’d be hard-pressed to find an IT executive who isn’t considering the strategic benefits and cost savings of cloud computing.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Cloud_The_Enterprise_A_Q_A_with_author_Pankaj_Arora?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 06 Mar 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsIt’s no secret that agencies are seeking to do more with less these days. It’s something we’ve been discussing a lot recently, especially in the context of how cloud-based applications like Office 365 and the Windows Azure platform are helping government organizations thrive even with budget constraints.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Cloud_Computing_s_Role_in_Job_Creation?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 01 Mar 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsIt’s always an exciting time at CIO Summit, but with 2012 being an election year, the atmosphere is that much more enriching. A lot has changed over the last four years, not just from an economic standpoint, but also from a technological one.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Revolutionizing_the_Vote_with_the_Power_of_the_Cloud?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 29 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsGovernment workers can find a wealth of information on how to deploy Windows 7, Microsoft Office 2010, and Windows Internet Explorer on the Microsoft in Government website’s How to deploy page.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Where_do_I_find_information_about_how_to_deploy_Windows_7_and_other_Microsoft_technology_on_my_desktop?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 28 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTIt is important to redefine digital access in the United States because it is critical to increase access to education and training.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Why_is_it_important_to_redefine_digital_access?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 28 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTWhen it comes to disaster relief, public-private collaborations can be both a challenge and tremendous opportunity to better serve citizens at a time of need.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Disaster_Response_Citizens_Are_Customers_Too?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 27 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBack in November, we were excited to provide you with a consolidated version of a 10 in 10 series for our government users working with Office 365, which we Tweeted for 10 days across our Microsoft_Gov Twitter handle.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=10_in_10_Tips_Tricks_for_Microsoft_Lync?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 24 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThe Digital Alliance program is a wide-ranging strategic partnership between Washington, DC, and Microsoft.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_the_Digital_Alliance_program?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 22 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTNoneWith Microsoft unified communications, it’s easy to have a conversation without the phone. You can have an online chat, make a call on your computer, or share your desktop with a colleague.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=How_can_I_have_a_conversation_without_the_phone?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 22 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTNoneYou can easily manage communications from your Inbox with Microsoft Outlook 2010. Check voicemail in your Inbox, find correspondence from a colleague, and apply Information Rights Protection to maintain confidentiality of certain communications.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=How_can_I_manage_communications_from_my_Inbox?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 22 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTNoneWith Microsoft Outlook 2010, you can get control of your email Inbox in just minutes a day. You can archive old messages, ignore unnecessary email conversations, or use Outlook Clean Up to consolidate replies.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=How_do_I_take_control_of_my_Inbox?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 22 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTNoneOne of the things we’re really proud of here at Microsoft is the emphasis our employees put on giving back to the community around us. We recently released the results of our 2011 Giving Campaign and were thrilled to report a record-breaking $100.5 million from Microsoft employees and the company match through Employee Giving Programs.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Microsoft_Employees_Break_Record_Giving_Back_to_the_Community?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 22 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsIn the past three posts in this series, we have explored redefining our nation’s access to education and training in the 21st century. In this post, we wrap things up by peering into our crystal ball and taking a stab at how today’s technologies and trends might evolve in the near future. http://www.futurefed.com/blog/77/overcome-the-digital-divide-and-unleash-the-future.aspxSubmittedTue, 21 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsIn the past three posts in this series, we have explored redefining our nation’s access to education and training in the 21st century. In this post, we look at how today’s technologies and trends might evolve in the near future.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Overcome_the_digital_divide_and_unleash_the_future?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 21 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThe U.S. Government Configuration Baseline (USGCB), which evolved from the Federal Desktop Core Configuration mandate (FDCC), provides guidance to federal agencies to help improve security configurations for government IT.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_U_S_Government_Configuration_Baseline_Initiative?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 14 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTThe Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–282), also known as FFATA, was signed on September 26, 2001.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Federal_Funding_Accountability_and_Transparency_Act_of_2006?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 14 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTThis Policy mandates equal access to information for people with disabilities. The program encourages establishment of an agency-wide information technology policy and includes accessibility guidelines around policy development.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Agency_wide_Section_508_Policy?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 14 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTThis Executive Order, which aims to reduce federal government spending, was signed on June 13, 2011. Its goals include: save taxpayer money by cutting waste, curb spending, increase efficiency, and improve accountability.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Executive_Order_Delivering_an_Efficient_Effective_and_Accountable_Government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 14 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTThis Executive Order (EO 13423), signed on January 24, 2007, guides federal government agencies toward more environmentally responsible practices, also known as green IT.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Executive_Order_Federal_Leadership_In_Environmental_Energy_and_Economic_Performance?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 14 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTThese Standards, also known as FIPS, are developed and issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for federal computer systems. The authority was granted under the Information Technology Management Reform act.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Federal_Information_Processing_Standards?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 14 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTThe Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP), updated December 1, 2006, govern the processes that courts follow when hearing civil cases—how a lawsuit may be commenced, what kind of service process is required, and how the courts and clerks must function.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Federal_Rules_of_Civil_Procedure?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 14 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTUnder the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Security Agency (NSA) established the Common Criteria Evaluation and Validation Scheme for IT Security (CCEVS).http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Common_Criteria_Evaluation_and_Validation_Scheme_for_IT_Security?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 14 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTIn the past two posts in this series, we’ve touched on the challenges our nation faces in bridging the “Digital Gap” and why those problems are difficult to solve. Today, we’d like to talk about where we are seeing progress.http://www.futurefed.com/blog/76/new-programs-data-show-progress-in-bridging-the-digital-divide.aspxSubmittedMon, 13 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsIn the past two posts in this series, we’ve touched on the challenges our nation faces in bridging the “Digital Gap” and why those problems are difficult to solve. Today, we’d like to talk about where we are seeing progress.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=New_Programs_Data_Show_Progress_in_Bridging_the_Digital_Divide?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 13 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBack in November, we announced a series of Office 365 Tips & Tricks to get end users familiar with the benefits of using Office 365.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Don_t_Miss_Out_on_Free_Training_for_Office_365?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 09 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsAs I reflect on this week’s Winter Conference of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and last week’s Overseas Vote Foundation Summit, the 2012 Presidential Election is already off to a roaring start.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Tech_allows_campaigns_to_reach_voters_everywhere?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 06 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsCities and counties realize the benefits, privacy, and security of cloud computing.http://americancityandcounty.com/white-papers/cloud-computing-benefitsSubmittedMon, 06 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsLast week we discussed the role of technology access and education in economic development and the future of U.S. innovation. This week we’d like to dive deeper into what is holding us back.http://www.futurefed.com/blog/75/building-the-case-providing-access-for-economic-growth-.aspxSubmittedThu, 02 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsLast week we discussed the role of technology access and education in economic development and the future of U.S. innovation. This week we’d like to dive deeper into what is holding us back.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Building_the_Case_Providing_Access_for_Economic_Growth?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 02 Feb 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThe rough economic seas we’re sailing these days can make anyone queasy about our nation’s future. Longstanding concerns about U.S. competitiveness in the global economy are accelerating these concerns.http://www.futurefed.com/blog/74/redefining-access-to-education-and-training-is-crucial-to-economic-recovery-.aspxSubmittedThu, 26 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsWith the U.S. unemployment rate holding steady around 9 percent, job creation and education are top of mind as many fellow citizens are missing out on the economic recovery, and inadequate education is hampering many workers’ ability to obtain available jobs.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Redefining_Access_to_Education_and_Training?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 26 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsIn these times of economic downturn and budget cuts, the importance of public-private partnerships has become more apparent than ever.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Microsoft_D_C_Alliance_Highlights_Value_of_Public_Private_Partnerships?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 25 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsIt’s an unfortunate irony that many U.S. military personnel stationed overseas – nearly 300,000 in 2010 – have difficulty voting in elections back home.http://www.futurefed.com/blog/73/ballots-in-the-cloud-improving-absentee-voting-for-our-military-personnel--.aspxSubmittedTue, 24 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsDemocracy Live is making it easier for American military personnel stationed overseas and other citizens living abroad to vote in this year’s U.S. elections.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Ballots_in_the_Cloud_Improving_Absentee_Voting_for_Our_Military_Personnel?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 24 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThe combination of looming healthcare costs and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA) security and privacy concerns has left many state and local governments wondering how to best operate efficiently and effectively.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Office_365_and_the_Cloud_Make_HIPAA_Easy?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 20 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThe belt-tightening across state and local governments has already started for 2012 and that means IT departments are already scrambling to find ways to squeeze the most from existing IT investments while meeting mandates to move to cloud and mobile computing.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Transform_Agency_Communications_While_Saving_Money?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 19 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsMicrosoft software and solutions for government agencies can help support Federal Mandates, including the 25-Point Implementation Plan to Reform Federal Information Technology Management and the 2010 Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative, among many others.SubmittedMon, 16 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTThe E-Government Act, enacted December 17, 2002, recognizes that the Internet is changing the way people, businesses, and government agencies interact.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_E_Government_Act_of_2002?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 16 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTDepartment of Defense Directive 5015.2 (DoD 5015.2), issued March 6, 2000, establishes responsibility for the Department of Defense Records Management Program and updates policies for life-cycle management for information records.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Department_of_Defense_Directive_5015_2_Department_of_Defense_Records_Management_Program?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 16 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTThis Initiative, issued February 26, 2010, aims to help government agencies formulate consolidation plans for their data centers.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_2010_Federal_Data_Center_Consolidation_Initiative?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 16 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTThis Directive, issued May 9, 2007, established comprehensive national guidelines for implementing continuity policies for federal government agencies, including continuity of operations (COOP) plans.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Homeland_Security_Presidential_Directive_20_National_Continuity_Policy?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 16 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTWindows 7, the latest Windows operating system, helps provide government agencies with greater security and manageability for local and remote computers.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_Windows_7_for_government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 12 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTBeginning this month and continuing through May, Microsoft Local Government will be hosting a series of Virtual Briefings designed to give you a taste of how government technology experts are leveraging the power of technology to meet local government challenges.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Sign_up_for_Microsoft_Local_Government_Virtual_Briefings?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 06 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsHappy New Year! We’d like to welcome you back for another incredible year of exciting innovations and technologies serving state and local governments across the country.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Klamath_County_Reduces_Obstacles_with_Office_365?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 05 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsA Voluntary Product Accessibility Template, or VPAT, is a standard form developed by the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) to show how a product meets key regulations of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_a_Section_508_VPAT?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 04 Jan 2012 -08:00 GMTEarlier this week, we decided to do some reflection here at Bright Side and look back at our most popular blog posts from 2011. What we found was that many of them had to do with the Cloud.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Our_Head_in_the_Cloud_Looking_Forward_to_2012?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 29 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBelieve it or not, our month-long “Day in the Life” series is coming to an end. We’ve spend the last four weeks providing tips and helping users be even more productive with their Microsoft tools.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=A_Day_in_the_Life_Story_Make_Short_Work_of_Your_Email?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 27 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBack in September, I wrote an article about a great company, Democracy Live, that makes election materials available electronically to citizens across the country and abroad.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=First_Ballots_Cast_for_2012_Presidential_Election?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 21 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsWe’re more than halfway through our month-long “Day in the Life” series, which is aimed at providing tips and helping users be even more productive with their Microsoft tools.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=A_Day_in_the_Life_Story_Have_a_Conversation_without_the_Phone?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 20 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThis week, our very own Kim Nelson, executive director for e-government at Microsoft, was published in Publicyte, a popular Microsoft site that looks at American Progress through Technological Innovation.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Ask_What_Technology_You_Can_Buy_for_Your_Country_Kim_Nelson_Shines_on_Publicyte?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 16 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThis strategy, announced on February 8, 2011, can help government agencies to provide highly reliable and innovative services quickly, despite resource constraints.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Federal_Cloud_Computing_Strategy?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 15 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTThis action plan, released December 9, 2010, aims to help agencies leverage information technology to create more efficient and effective government services and to deliver better value to taxpayers.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_25_Point_Implementation_Plan_to_Reform_Federal_Information_Technology_Management?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 15 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTYes! Better together means that when your government agency uses Microsoft Office 2010 and Windows 7 together, your staff can work better, find information faster, and manage files more easily.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Are_Windows_7_and_Microsoft_Office_2010_better_together_for_government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 14 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTUSFederal360, from Engage, Inc., provides your government agency with a framework to manage congressional, governmental, and constituent relationships easily and effectively, with detailed correspondence and records management, while addressing operational and archival requirements. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_USFederal360?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 14 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTLast week, we kicked off our month-long series of tips aimed at helping users be even more productive with their Microsoft tools.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=A_Day_in_the_Life_Story_Manage_Communications_from_Your_Inbox?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 13 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThese days, anything related to healthcare can not only be confusing, but also quite stressful―especially if you work in government.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=An_Hour_with_the_Experts_Key_Learnings_for_Implementing_a_State_HIX?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 09 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThis morning, the Commonwealth of Virginia launched the Advance Health Care Directive Registry, an online portal that is truly the first of its kind.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Q_A_with_Delegate_David_Englin_as_Virginia_launches_first_of_its_kind_online_Advance_Health_Care_Directive_Registry?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 07 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsToday the Bright Side team is excited to kick off a month-long series of tips to help users be even more productive with your Microsoft tools.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=A_Day_in_the_Life_Story_Taking_Control_of_Your_Inbox?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 06 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageWith December officially here, many government employees are concerned about what winter weather will mean for their commute and their ability to do their job effectively.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Survey_Identifies_Telework_Momentum_Challenges_and_Technology_within_Government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 05 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageThis Presidential Memorandum, issued November 28, 2011, aims to reform records management policies and practices. Its goal is to better document executive agency actions, to improve agency performance, and to promote openness and accountability.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Presidential_Memorandum_Managing_Government_Records?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 01 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTThis Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 9, 2010, defines training, monitoring, policy, and support for government agencies which are required to follow executive telework requirements.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Telework_Enhancement_Act_of_2010?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 01 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTThis Executive Order, issued April 27, 2011, acknowledges the responsibility of government agencies to streamline services and to deliver them faster and at a lower cost.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Federal_Mandate_Executive_Order_Streamlining_Service_Delivery_and_Improving_Customer_Service?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 01 Dec 2011 -08:00 GMTFind out how easy it can be to deploy Office 365 in your agency. Watch a helpful video, download an FAQ, review a checklist, and get started.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/products/office/365/how_to/default.aspx?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 30 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsGovernment agencies today are under ever-growing pressure to improve management—with increased transparency—across all project portfolios, even with tightening budgets.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_earned_value_management?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 29 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageAs a government agency, cybersecurity should be incorporated into everything you do, from online to offline, from development to applications to deployment.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_cybersecurity_in_government_cybersecurity_government_?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 29 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageWe’ve been talking a lot lately about the benefits of Office 365 for state and local governments, and I’m happy to announce yet another way you can take the Office 365 experience to another level.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Free_Technical_Training_Series_Provides_Office_365_Insight?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 29 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsToday we’d like to extend big congratulations to the Montana All Threat Intelligence Center (MATIC), an organization under the Montana Department of Justice, for their recent Government Security News (GSN) Homeland Security Award.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Montana_All_Threat_Intelligence_Center_Recognized_at_2011_GSN_Homeland_Security_Awards?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 28 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsDescription Today’s work styles are becoming increasingly mobile, and with the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, government agencies at all levels need integrated productivity tools that help people communicate and collaborate, in real time, no matter where they are. Microsoft Lync Server 2010 converges your organization’s communications channels to create a rich, interactive environment that unifies enterprise voice, presence, instant messaging, and multimedia conferencing into a new, more connected experience.https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/InviteOnly.aspx?EventID=81-00-7A-78-0C-75-C2-67-4F-60-6F-D7-96-29-AE-69&Culture=en-USSubmittedWed, 23 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageDescription Today’s work styles are becoming increasingly mobile, and with the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, government agencies at all levels need integrated productivity tools that help people communicate and collaborate, in real time, no matter where they are. Microsoft Lync Server 2010 converges your organization’s communications channels to create a rich, interactive environment that unifies enterprise voice, presence, instant messaging, and multimedia conferencing into a new, more connected experience.https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/InviteOnly.aspx?EventID=81-00-7A-78-0C-75-C2-67-82-83-CE-EC-BF-C4-87-E6&Culture=en-USSubmittedWed, 23 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageToday’s work styles are becoming increasingly mobile, and with the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, government agencies at all levels need integrated productivity tools that help people communicate and collaborate, in real time, no matter where they are. Microsoft Lync Server 2010 converges your organization’s communications channels to create a rich, interactive environment that unifies enterprise voice, presence, instant messaging, and multimedia conferencing into a new, more connected experience.https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032498587&Culture=en-USSubmittedWed, 23 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageToday’s work styles are becoming increasingly mobile, and with the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, government agencies at all levels need integrated productivity tools that help people communicate and collaborate, in real time, no matter where they are. Microsoft Lync Server 2010 converges your organization’s communications channels to create a rich, interactive environment that unifies enterprise voice, presence, instant messaging, and multimedia conferencing into a new, more connected experience.https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032499057&Culture=en-USSubmittedWed, 23 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageOffice 365 has been generating a lot of excitement lately and with both new and existing users wanting to learn more about how they can use the cloud and telework features to do their job better, the team at Microsoft thought it might be beneficial to generate some tips and tricks for our government users.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=10_in_10_Office_2010_Tips_Tricks_for_Government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 23 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThis year’s election season is behind us and now we’re less than a year away from the 2012 presidential elections.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=From_Technology_to_Democracy_How_Advancements_Make_Government_Work_Better?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 21 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsIn 2010, the Telework Enhancement Act required government agencies to integrate telework capabilities and tools into their day-to-day functionalities.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Unified_Communications_Voice_Summit_Real_Impact_for_Government_Communications?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 17 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThis week, the National League of Cities held their annual Congress of Cities conference in Phoenix, bringing together city officials and stakeholders to discuss some of the most important issues and challenges facing cities today.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Microsoft_311_Service_Center_Accelerator_Showcased_at_National_League_of_Cities?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 16 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsIt’s no secret that public safety agencies aren’t immune to the budget pressures faced by other state and local government agencies.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Taking_public_safety_intelligence_sharing_analysis_to_the_cloud?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 15 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsIt looks like things in the Sunshine State just got a little brighter. With the implementation of Cloud-Based Email in September, the City of St. Augustine Beach, Florida has been able to see the benefits of better connectivity and increased productivity through the new capabilities supported by Office 365.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=City_of_St_Augustine_Beach_Shines_with_Migration_to_Office_365_and_Cloud_Based_Email?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 14 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsMicrosoft Corp. today announced the availability of new resources for veterans as part of its Elevate America veterans initiative to help veterans and their spouses get the technology skills and certifications they need to be successful in today's civilian workforce.http://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-extends-elevate-america-veterans-initiative-2011-11-09 SubmittedFri, 11 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThe nation's military veterans have long been lauded as America's heroes, deserving the utmost respect, admiration and support from fellow citizens.http://gov.aol.com/2011/11/09/feds-strive-to-boost-job-opportunities-for-veterans-brace-for-i#photo-1?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl3|sec1_lnk3|111736SubmittedFri, 11 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsAs we celebrate Veteran’s Day, Microsoft is proud to be able to honor the brave men and women who have served our country and made great sacrifices to keep us safe here at home.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Microsoft_Celebrates_Veteran_s_Day_with_Elevate_America_Extension?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 10 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementshttp://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/solutions/customer_service/default.aspx?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 04 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageHalloween may have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean Microsoft isn’t full of tips & tricks for its State and Local Government customers! In fact, we’re pleased to announce a series of free training sessions to get end users familiar with the benefits of using Office 365.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Good_Tips_Great_Tricks_Microsoft_Office_365_Training_Series_for_SLG_Customers?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 01 Nov 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsLast week, Microsoft held its fourth annual State and Local Government Virtual Summit, bringing together more than 800 public sector practitioners to participate in The Real Impact of Lean Government: Proven Approaches to Delivering Services without Compromise.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=The_Real_Impact_of_Lean_Government_State_Local_Government_Virtual_Summit_in_Review?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 28 Oct 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsEarlier this month, the President’s Council on Jobs and Competiveness released its interim report entitled Taking Action, Building Confidence: Five Common Sense Initiatives to Boost Jobs and Competitiveness.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Smarter_Energy_Job_Creation_How_Software_Can_Lead_the_Charge?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 25 Oct 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThere has been a lot of really great dialogue recently about the benefits of migrating over to cloud computing, and this month Office 365 received some great recognition in some important publications about its leadership in the cloud.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Office_365_Shines_in_October?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 18 Oct 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsGiven today’s economic climate, leaders and policymakers need to find smart, strategic ways to maximize dollar savings and continue to drive forward a growth agenda.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Making_a_Real_Impact_in_Government_IT?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 17 Oct 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsLast week I had the pleasure of attending the NASCIO 2011 Annual Conference, where many of the sessions were focused on very practical steps that state and local governments can take to move government forward using technology.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=How_the_Cloud_is_Changing_Everything_Smarter_Cities_Counties?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 13 Oct 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsOne of the great things about providing solutions for state and local governments is being able to see the tangible, measurable differences that customers have made.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Measurable_Success_How_San_Diego_LA_are_Adding_Value_Not_Cost_with_Technology?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 11 Oct 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsTomorrow marks Microsoft's fourth annual State & Local Government Summit virtual conference and expo, The Real Impact of Lean Government - Proven Approaches to Delivering Services Without Compromise.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=See_You_at_the_State_Local_Government_Virtual_Summit?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 10 Oct 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThis past week I had the exciting opportunity to head to the Mile High City for the Annual NASCIO Conference.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Moving_the_Government_Forward_Praise_from_NASCIO?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 07 Oct 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThe need for social services and improved care is increasing as deficits grow and governments grapple with shrinking budgets.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_care_coordination_in_healthcare?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 03 Oct 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageOctober is almost here and that means we’re getting very close to Microsoft’s fourth annual State & Local Government Summit virtual conference and expo, The Real Impact of Lean Government - Proven Approaches to Delivering Services Without Compromise, which is happening October 11.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Know_Your_Cloud_State_Local_Government_Virtual_Summit_Sessions?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 29 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsToday at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, Microsoft Corp. launched its three-year program ensuring that 1 million students from low-income families in the United States receive technological benefits from hardware, software and Internet service.http://www.govconexecutive.com/2011/09/microsoft-to-bring-technology-access-to-1-million-low-income-youth/SubmittedMon, 26 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsLast week, Microsoft was honored to announce a continued commitment to our Shape the Future program by pledging to provide the benefits of software, hardware, and discounted broadband Internet service to 1 million students from low-income families from around the United States.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Shape_the_Future_Program_Extension_Well_Received_at_Clinton_Global_Initiative_Annual_Meeting?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 26 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsFind out how Microsoft care coordination solutions can help health and human services organizations increase efficiency, collaboration, and visibility and can enable improved care. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/health/care_coordination/default.aspx?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 23 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTThis week I had the privilege of speaking to the MIX 2011 Annual Conference, a members-only gathering of CIOs and other senior tech executives from cities and counties with over 100,000 citizens.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=MIX_Annual_Conference_How_the_Cloud_is_Driving_Datacenter_Evolution?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 22 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsState and local governments across the U.S. are all challenged with the difficult task of keeping up with technology to make critical processes more efficient and reduce costs.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=East_Hampton_moves_dispatch_system_to_the_cloud_to_cut_costs?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 19 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsYour organization’s IT manager should have access to this information in their license and benefits records. You can also visit the Home Use Program (HUP) page and click the How do I buy? tab.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=How_do_I_purchase_through_the_Home_Use_Program?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 19 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTYour organization’s IT manager should have access to this information in their license and benefits records. You can also visit the Home Use Program (HUP) page and click the Am I eligible? tab.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=How_do_I_know_if_I_have_access_to_the_Home_Use_Program?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 19 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTMicrosoft customer service solution: Provides citizens with more streamlined and responsive service while addressing government mandates.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/solutions/customer_service/default.aspx ?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 16 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsMicrosoft solutions can help your agency streamline service delivery and help improve customer service. Many agencies are seeing an increased need for more responsive service, which can be difficult to support on aging technological infrastructures.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Can_Microsoft_technology_help_government_agencies_improve_customer_service?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 16 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTYour organization’s IT manager should have access to this information in their license and benefits records. You can also visit the Home Use Program (HUP) page and click the Am I eligible? tab.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=How_do_I_know_if_my_company_has_the_Home_Use_Program?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 15 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTThe list of products varies by region, offering, application, version, and language, and the Home Use Program (HUP) typically offers your qualifying employees the most popular and newest Microsoft Office products at a lower cost.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Does_the_Home_Use_Program_also_offer_Windows_7?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 15 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTWith election season right around the corner, it’s exciting to be able to point out how technology is increasingly playing an important role in the democratic system.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Democracy_Live_and_Windows_Azure_Make_Election_Efficiency_the_Way_of_the_Future?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 14 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsAs we mentioned last month, Microsoft is hosting the fourth annual State & Local Government Summit virtual conference and expo in partnership with American City and County on October 11.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=State_Local_Government_Virtual_Summit_Sessions_Announced?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 09 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsMicrosoft changed the world of personal computing with its software, but even as it continues to improve its Windows offerings, Bill Gates’ brainchild has moved into search engines, mobile platforms and the government arena. Lewis Shepherd, director of Microsoft’s Institute for Advanced Technology in Governments, explains that industry is spending much more on research and development than the government. http://www.afcea.org/signal/articles/templates/SIGNAL_Article_Template.asp?articleid=2722&zoneid=60CloudApplicationsSubmittedThu, 01 Sep 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageDoDHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsArmy researchers have linked tactical radios and military chat systems with cell phones, instant messaging and other commercial communications technologies as part of a wide-ranging effort to streamline collaboration across the force. The development effort leverages a new Microsoft collaboration product, Lync 2010, and could be extended to other collaborative software tools.http://www.army.mil/article/63135/Army_links_tactical_radios__chat_services_with_commercial_communications/SubmittedWed, 31 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTFederalHomepageDoDHomepageState and local technology officials are counting on virtualization and cloud computing to help meet their consolidation and cost reduction goals, so VMware’s recent licensing changes have potentially huge ramifications for government organizations that are virtualizing their servers with the company.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=What_VMware_licensing_changes_really_mean_for_government?WT.mc_id=RSSVirtualizationSubmittedTue, 30 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageIt’s no secret that these days, government organizations are expected to do more with less. In April 2011, President Obama issued the “Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service” Executive Order, making customer service a priority.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Accelerating_Citizen_Services_with_Microsoft_311_Service_Center?WT.mc_id=RSS311solutionSubmittedMon, 29 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageMicrosoft software helps Montana employees work without walls. State employees who telework can use a variety of mobile devices to receive email messages, calendar information, and contact and task data.http://americancityandcounty.com/technology/telecommunications/unified-communications-telework-201107/index.html?qstr=CR_CC=&CR_IDSubmittedFri, 26 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageYour Microsoft account representative can find this information for you. For the answer to this or other questions, including those about licensing, pricing, and technical specifications, call us anytime from Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Do_you_know_who_we_bought_Microsoft_technology_from_in_the_past?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 25 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTTo find out the name of your account territory manager or for answers to licensing, pricing, or technical specifications questions, call us. A representative is available from Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 6 P.M.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=Who_is_my_Microsoft_representative_or_partner?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 25 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMT Microsoft is hosting the fourth annual State & Local Government Summit virtual conference and expo in partnership with American City and County next month. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Don_t_Miss_the_State_Local_Government_Virtual_Summit_October_11 ?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 25 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsIt’s no secret that state and local governments are facing economic uncertainty, and as a result many are working to identify ways to make their business processes more efficient and simplify operations.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=When_process_meets_public_sector_join_us_for_the_launch_of_Dynamics_AX_2012?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 18 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsMicrosoft has been operating data centers since 1989, and it’s an area in which we continue to make significant strategic investments.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Where_is_the_cloud_Find_out_in_our_data_center_video_tour?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 11 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThe U.S. Government Configuration Baseline (USGCB) mandate (formerly known as the Federal Desktop Core Configuration [FDCC]), issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), requires federal agencies to standardize and maintain desktop configurations in accordance with documented benchmarks.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_U_S_Government_Configuration_Baseline?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 09 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTUC stands for unified communications--the streamlining of internal and external communications technologies.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_UC_for_government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 09 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTTelework, also known as telecommuting, is becoming an increasingly viable option for many government employees.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_telework_for_government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 08 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTFDCC stands for Federal Desktop Core Configuration. FDCC is now known as U.S. Government Configuration Baseline (USGCB). http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_FDCC?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 05 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTSince the dawn of the information age, new concepts, such as e-commerce, e-learning, and e-mail are a helpful part of daily life. E-government, or "electronic government," is another such concept.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_e_government_software?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 05 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTBy Curt Kolcun, Vice President, U.S. Public Sector, Microsoft. Today, I had the honor of representing Microsoft as President Barack Obama discussed the administration’s ongoing commitment to fostering opportunities to help prepare the nation’s veterans for their transition to the civilian workforce.http://www.futurefed.com/blog/48/extending-microsoft's-support-for-veterans-entering-the-workforce.aspxSubmittedFri, 05 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsBy Curt Kolcun, Vice President, U.S. Public Sector, Microsoft. Today, I had the honor of representing Microsoft as President Barack Obama discussed the administration’s ongoing commitment to fostering opportunities to help prepare the nation’s veterans for their transition to the civilian workforce.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Extending_Microsoft_s_Support_for_Veterans_Entering_the_Workforce?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 05 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsAs is the case with many American cities, the face of Milwaukee has changed over the years. Long known mainly as the beer-brewing capital of the United States, the city now views additional industries as major drivers of growth.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=City_of_Milwaukee_moves_from_VMware_to_Hyper_V_to_save_money_enhance_productivity?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 04 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsState of California improves response times by 66 percent by using cloud-based CRM solutionhttp://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Microsoft-Dynamics-CRM/California-Department-of-Financial-Institutions/State-Regulator-Improves-Response-Times-by-66-Percent-by-Using-Cloud-Based-CRM-Solution/4000010420SubmittedTue, 02 Aug 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageStateHomepageTo purchase software through the Home Use Program (HUP), your agency’s Software Assurance (SA) Manager will need to log into Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center and activate the organization’s Home Use Program benefits.SubmittedSat, 30 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTCPIC stands for Capital Planning and Investment Control. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_CPIC_for_government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 29 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTCOOP stands for Continuity of Operations, and it refers to a plan to keep your government agency running and providing essential services even in a disaster or emergency. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_COOP_for_government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 29 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTThe Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is the largest county government in the U.S., responsible for public safety, property and municipal services, family and social services, and health services for roughly 12 million residents.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Los_Angeles_County_Board_of_Supervisors_Boosts_Citizen_Services_to_Constituents_with_Dynamics_CRM?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 29 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsCloud-based technology helps city of Baldwin, KS do more with lesshttp://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/-/Baldwin-City-Kansas/Cloud-Based-Technology-Helps-City-of-Baldwin-Do-More-With-Less/4000010783SubmittedFri, 29 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsFusion Framework is a Microsoft solution that helps government agencies take proactive action to prevent, prepare for, and respond to crises. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_Fusion_Framework?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 27 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTMicrosoft SharePoint is a web application platform that helps organizations to build intranet portals, extranets, and internal and Internet-facing websites. SharePoint is used by many government organizations to manage documents and files, and it provides a foundation for collaboration spaces, social networking tools, enterprise search, and business intelligence. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_Microsoft_SharePoint_for_government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 22 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageGov 2.0, also known as "open government," brings the best qualities of Web 2.0 to government. It is the next generation of government technology and supports an unprecedented exchange of information between government and citizens.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_Gov_2_0?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 22 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageGovernment agencies need consistent capabilities for accessing, analyzing, and sharing data. Business intelligence (BI) solutions help them collect and present information in its most useful format. Microsoft BI solutions complement your agency's existing systems with the tools and technologies you need for critical data monitoring and reporting.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_business_intelligence_for_government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 22 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageWhat is ERP for government? ERP stands for "enterprise resource planning"-a solution to integrate various departments and functions from a government agency into a single computer system to serve all of the agency's needs. ERP solutions enable organizations to provide more efficient citizen service and information sharing. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_ERP_for_government?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 22 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFrequently asked questions (FAQ) that pertain to Microsoft products and services for government. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/default.aspx?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 20 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageApplications and services that are accessed over the Internet, rather than installed on a local computer. Cloud computing can offer an easy, cost-effective way to deliver productivity applications to users, so they can collaborate from anywhere they have an Internet connection, anytime, and on any device.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_cloud_computing?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 20 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTThe Home Use Program is a benefit of Software Assurance, one of Microsoft's Volume Licensing programs. It provides a simple way for government agencies to enable employees to work at home with the same Microsoft products they use at work. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/FAQ/detailFAQ.aspx?title=What_is_Microsoft_Home_Use?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 20 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageWith county officials still facing shrinking budgets and an uncertain economy, the National Association of Counties (NACO) aptly chose “County Survival Strategies in Tough Economic Times” as the theme for its 2011 Technology Summit.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=The_keys_to_cloud_success_Five_Questions_with_San_Francisco_CIO_Jon_Walton?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 15 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsToday at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), we announced the beta availability of the next release of Windows Intune, our cloud-based PC management and security service that includes the benefit of upgrade rights.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Big_Windows_News_at_Worldwide_Partner_Conference?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 11 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsThe Imagine Cup is the world’s premier student technology competition. It was launched by Microsoft nine years ago to engage young technologists around the world to address some of the world's toughest problems.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Outstanding_Solutions_for_Justice_and_Public_Safety_Featured_in_the_Imagine_Cup_2011?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 08 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsLike virtually every city and county across the US, Salt Lake City was hit hard by the recent financial crisis and recession that followed.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Salt_Lake_City_Encourages_Growth_by_Moving_Building_Permit_Process_Online?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 08 Jul 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsFrom www.futurefed.com. By Chris Cortez, MajGen, USMC (Ret.), General Manager, Microsoft Strategic Operations, Americas and Asia Pacific. Today, I was proud to represent both my country and my employer, Microsoft, by standing in support of military families at “Joining Forces: Launching the Military Spouse Employment Partnership” in Washington, D.C.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=FutureFed_Joining_Forces_to_Increase_Job_Opportunities_for_Military_Spouses?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 30 Jun 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsFrom www.futurefed.com. Yesterday, Chris Cortez – MajGen, USMC (Ret.) and General Manager, Microsoft Strategic Operations, Americas and Asia Pacific – represented both the country and Microsoft by standing in support of military families at “Joining Forces: Launching the Military Spouse Employment Partnership,” at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Joining_Forces_to_Increase_Job_Opportunities_for_Military_Spouses?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 30 Jun 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBy Gail Thomas-Flynn, Microsoft US State & Local Government Vice President. Starting today, state and local government organizations will have access to a powerful new set of productivity tools designed to help meet their mission requirements more efficiently and cost-effectively.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Office_365_Brings_Enterprise_Ready_Cloud_Productivity_to_State_and_Local_Governments?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 28 Jun 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBy Stuart McKee, Microsoft State & Local Government National Technology Officer. In this Cloud Basics series, we’ve walked through some budgetary considerations to keep in mind when evaluating your savings. But with the recent debate over the true costs of implementing cloud services, it’s time for a cloud reality check. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Cloud_Basics_The_Economics_of_the_Cloud?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 23 Jun 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBy Richard McKinney, Microsoft State & Local Government Technology Advisor. Even for the technology-savvy among us, choosing the correct cloud type can be a daunting task. From SaaS to PaaS to IaaS, this “alphabet soup” of cloud services options leaves many scratching their heads as they try to decipher acronyms. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Cloud_Basics_Which_Cloud_is_right_for_your_agency?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 16 Jun 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBy Gail Thomas-Flynn, Microsoft US State & Local Government Vice President. When government agencies weigh the risks associated with moving to the cloud, they usually think of security and regulatory compliance needs, but another risk for decision-makers is the challenge of entering the cloud without a clear strategy. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Cloud_Basics_Before_You_Enter_the_Cloud?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedThu, 09 Jun 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsTalking Telework | nextgov.comhttp://wiredworkplace.nextgov.com/2011/06/talking_telework_1.php?oref=latest_postsSubmittedThu, 09 Jun 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageStateHomepageMicrosoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 (OCS 2007 R2) has passed two major milestones in providing unified communications to our U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal customers.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Microsoft_Office_Communications_Server_R2_Earns_DoD_JITC_PBX_2_Certification?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 08 Jun 2011 -08:00 GMTDoDHomepageDoDNewsandAnnouncementsBy Kim Nelson, Microsoft US Public Sector executive director, eGovernment; Doug Chapin, director, Election Initiatives at the Pew Center on the States. In the run-up to the 2008 elections, approximately 120 million people sought information online about the general election, and four out of five Americans visited a government website.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Pew_and_Microsoft_Partner_to_Help_Provide_Timely_Accurate_Election_Day_Information_to_Voters?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 06 Jun 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBy Staff. The path to the cloud can be daunting. The sheer amount of information about cloud computing grows by the minute and those seeking information are easily overcome by “cloud-phoria” before learning what the cloud can really do for them.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Discovering_Your_Path_to_the_Cloud?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 27 May 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBy Gail Thomas-Flynn, Microsoft US State & Local Government Vice President. As the birthplace of the tech industry and home to some of the world's largest technology companies, San Francisco is at the nexis of so many exciting opportunities and continues to foster entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the region. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=San_Francisco_and_Microsoft_ink_transformative_cloud_agreement?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 18 May 2011 -08:00 GMTThe Brookings Institution and Microsoft have teamed up to develop a new online data visualization tool that is designed to help cities and counties align public transportation resources to job creation goals.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Brookings_Microsoft_team_up_to_make_data_actionable_with_cloud_based_interactive_transit_tool?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 13 May 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsFrom YouTube videos, smart phone apps, and blogs to GovLoop, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, we’ve been helping governments and citizens embrace Gov 2.0 and integrate social tools to engage with one another. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Like_Bright_Side_of_Government_on_Facebook_join_the_conversation?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedMon, 09 May 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBy Dean Iacovelli, Director of Collaboration Solutions for Microsoft State & Local Government “The word…” It would be an understatement to say that cloud computing is a hot topic in the public sector these days - seems like you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a free webinar promising to unlock the secrets of the cloud for your government agency. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=The_cloud_is_not_a_destination?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 03 May 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsDeveloping SharePoint 2010 Solutions Using External Data and Serviceshttps://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032485732&Culture=en-USSubmittedTue, 03 May 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsMicrosoft Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2008 SP2 now certified as Common Criteria Validated productshttp://www.futurefed.com/blog/29/microsoft-windows-7-windows-server-2008-r2-and-sql-server-2008-sp2-now-certified-as-common-criteria-validated-products.aspxSubmittedThu, 28 Apr 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageDoDHomepageBy Steve Lipner, Senior Director, Security Engineering Strategy, Trustworthy Computing Security at Microsoft At Microsoft we are constantly striving to make the computing environment as secure as possible. Part of our commitment to security involves providing products that meet widely-recognized certification requirements.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Microsoft_Windows_7_Windows_Server_2008_R2_and_SQL_Server_2008_Now_Certified_as_Common_Criteria_Validated_Products?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 27 Apr 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBy Kim Nelson, Microsoft US Public Sector executive director of eGovernment. Last week I had the pleasure of serving on a panel at the Brookings Institution as part of the Metropolitan Policy Program to discuss the need for innovations to address future economic and environmental challenges. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Addressing_urban_environmental_challenges_with_information_technology?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedFri, 22 Apr 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsFutureFed blog: USDA awards FISMA certification for Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suitehttp://www.futurefed.com/blog/28/usda-awards-fisma-certification-for-microsoft’s-business-productivity-online-suite-bpos).aspxSubmittedWed, 20 Apr 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageDoDHomepageBy Susie Adams, Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Federal. Security is more like a marathon than a sprint. It takes time, planning, and strategy.  It requires ongoing diligence and the flexibility to evolve to meet new challenges.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=USDA_Awards_FISMA_Certification_for_Microsoft_s_Business_Productivity_Online_Suite_Federal?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 20 Apr 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsOpen government strategies may want to consider security, governance...Sharepoint?http://www.fiercecontentmanagement.com/story/open-government-strategies-may-want-consider-security-governanceSharepoint/2011-03-07SubmittedTue, 19 Apr 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageDoDHomepageStateHomepageBy Stuart McKee, Government National Technology Officer. Yesterday I had the privilege of testifying on behalf of Microsoft before the US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on federal policies affecting high tech growth and adoption of industry best practices.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Why_an_updated_policy_framework_is_needed_to_ensure_cloud_responsibility?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedTue, 19 Apr 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageFederalHomepageFederalNewsandAnnouncementsPlease join us for this exciting, free event where will explore the Scrum methodology, real-world examples and how you can adopt a more Agile approach to software projects leveraging Microsoft Team Foundation Sever for development projects on any platform.https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032483434&Culture=en-USSubmittedWed, 13 Apr 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageBy Stuart McKee, Microsoft State & Local Government National Technology Officer. There is currently a lot of buzz about cloud computing and the potential to save state and local   government money - but too often the cloud is presented as an easy button.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Putting_a_value_on_the_cloud?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 13 Apr 2011 -08:00 GMTStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsBy Gail Thomas-Flynn Today, Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel visited Microsoft's Chicago offices to discuss how his incoming administration plans to increase transparency by publishing more city data online. http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/state/brightside/detailBlog.aspx?title=Mayor_Elect_Rahm_Emanuel_talks_transparency_open_data_at_Microsoft_Chicago?WT.mc_id=RSSGov2.0SubmittedWed, 06 Apr 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsMicrosoft Guide to Public Safety technology gives insights into public safety solutions to help meet your agency and community needs.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/guides/publicsafety/default.aspx?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 06 Apr 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepageStateHomepageStateNewsandAnnouncementsMicrosoft Office 2010 can help government agencies be more productive, work in the cloud, and collaborate on mission-critical documents.http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/products/office/2010/default.aspx ?WT.mc_id=RSSSubmittedWed, 23 Mar 2011 -08:00 GMTGovernmentHomepage