Muniwireless supports Intel’s Digital Communities initiative
Intel has launched its “Digital Communities” initiative to help communities around the world deploy city- and region-wide wireless networks. In addition to helping communities design and deploy wireless infrastructure, Intel is focusing as well on applications that will help local governments save money, improve efficiency and service, and provide free or cheap access for low-income families. Intel has launched its “Digital Communities” initiative to help communities around the world deploy city- and region-wide wireless networks. In addition to helping communities design and deploy wireless infrastructure, Intel is focusing as well on applications that will help local governments save money, improve efficiency and service, and provide free or cheap access for low-income families.
These applications range from automating mobile workers such as meter readers and building inspectors to increasing the safety and enhancing resource management of first responders by remotely monitoring vehicle location to enhancing parent, teacher collaboration for improved student success.
Indeed, I am very pleased to inform everyone who has not noticed it yet (the Intel logo on the right side of the Applications section with links to their white papers) that Intel has been a supporter of Muniwireless and has helped me in getting the Applications section up and running. I am working closely with Intel on their Digital Communities initiative.
Listen to an interview with Paul Butcher (Intel).
Why I started the Applications section
The purpose of the Applications section is to show people how they can use these networks in innovative ways. Too often the discussion, especially in the mainstream press, has centered around infrastructure, the controversy around anti-municipal bills and the endless private versus public debate. Among many cities and counties, discussions are often too abstract and focused on the infrastructure itself. There is no clear picture of how life could be so different with these networks up and running. We need more imagination!
I want to show people what they can use these networks for — how local governments can save money AND provide better service, how residents and visitors can have fun using these networks, how people can improve their lives — so that when our cities and regions think about deploying the networks, they can plan better, they can include their residents in the discussions, they can decide how much to spend on the networks, what kind of business model to pursue and how to partner with private companies. Unless you know what you will be using the network for, it’s really difficult to deploy a good one.
You have already been reading articles I posted about how cities and regions are using these networks and how much ROI they are realizing. Recently I decided to include applications used by people like you and me. You have seen the story on Meetro, a new location-based community building software that helps locate users in an area covered by a Wi-Fi network. That is just one example of the community-friendly apps I will be profiling on this section. I invited Paul Bragiel, CEO of Meetro, to speak at my September conference in San Francisco on his vision of social networking when we have very large metro and region wireless broadband networks. Expect to see more of this on the site and in future conferences.
I urge people to send me information (case studies, white papers, etc.) about applications designed to take advantage of city and regionwide wireless broadband networks – not just applications to be used by local governments, but consumer apps as well.
My seminar on Applications and ROI
But this is just the start. I included a three-hour intensive seminar called Applications and ROI in my upcoming conference in San Francisco. The three-hour seminar itself takes place on September 28 and the conference runs through September 29. I have chosen speakers who have hands-on experience in deploying city and countywide networks. Please sign up right away because space is limited. There is also a $100 early bird discount for people who register before August 25. Go to http://www.mw05sf.com to register and view the agenda.
Examples of applications used in various cities
Corpus Christi: building inspection and police
Corpus Christi is deploying solutions under a large wireless network that will soon span 147 square miles. This “multi-use” network, consisting of Tropos’ mesh technology and Pronto Networks’ security and management software, allows private and public users to securely share the same infrastructure, accessing only authorized applications and services. The city expects to significantly benefit from mobile solutions, given 70 percent of its employees work in the field. Three of the solutions deployed focus on building inspection, video surveillance and vehicle location. Dell outfitted the city’s Construction and Permits Department with a mobile solution to re-engineer building inspectors’ work processes with the ability to update permit data from a construction site, improving accuracy and reducing the inspection cycle by up to six days. IBM equipped police cars with the capability for streaming video, providing insight and the tools for better decision making regarding incident response and documentation of violators at a crime scene. SAP developed a vehicle asset location tool that allows the city to track vehicles more affordably, dispatch work crews more efficiently and ensure the safety of its first responders.
Taipei: education and local government
With a population of 2.63 million, Taipei is utilizing its extensive wireless infrastructure to enhance education and government services. The city created an online e-University program which offers citizens almost 700 classes covering topics such as management, language and humanities. Government efficiencies are being realized in a number of diverse areas including paperless administration, security surveillance and automated transportation systems. Utilized citywide by 500 agencies, including land registration and building management, the administrative e-paper exchange system handles 400,000 documents every month, eliminating the need to have physical certificates. Taipei’s transportation information system can quickly collect traffic information and help plan traffic control strategies.
Cleveland: mobile office and first responders
Mobile workers and first responders are the initial focus of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio’s Digital Communities effort, which is powered by OneCleveland, the region’s nonprofit broadband and applications delivery network. The first solution deployed by the City of Cleveland is an enterprise e-permitting application that utilizes mobile and wireless technology from Cisco Systems, IBM and Accela.
The e-permitting application, which transforms the outdated paper-based system, integrates the workflow activities of 11 departments and impacts 500 employees, giving them the ability to file reports, schedule inspections and issue permits from the field. Inspectors, such as building, housing and water department representatives, accomplish more in a day by reducing the inspection cycle, automating the review process and downloading new assignments from remote locations. Cleveland is expecting to broaden the use of the wireless network in the future to include applications that enhance public safety, improve access to health care information and services and expand distance learning.
Digital Communities pilot cities
Intel is working with several communities around the world. In addition to Philadelphia, Corpus Christi, Cleveland and Taipei, other participating cities include Portland (Oregon), Mangaratiba (Brazil), Dusseldorf (Germany), Gyor (Hungary), Jerusalem (Israel), Monaco, Seoul (South Korea), Osaka (Japan) and Westminster (United Kingdom).
The Digital Communities Consortium
Intel is working with several partners in Digital Cities consortium: Cisco, Dell, IBM, SAP Accela, Airpath Wireless, Alvarion, British Telecom, CapGemini, CDW Government, Inc., Check Point, Civitium, EarthLink, iMove, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, Pronto Networks, Szintezis Rt., Telindus, Tropos and Vertex.
Additional information on Intel’s Digital Communities initiative and pilot communities is available at www.intel.com/go/digitalcommunities.
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