Accelerating the Shift to Digital

A Pragmatic Approach for Smart Councils

Accelerating the Shift to Digital

A Pragmatic Approach for Smart Councils

Research commissioned by 8x8 in the United Kingdom reveals that smart councils have a better understanding of digital tools and technologies. Smart councils are forward-thinking local government organisations using digital technologies to enhance public services, save money and improve citizens' quality of life.

Explore our findings:

Of local government staff are confident that new digital technologies support improved public services.

Are optimistic that senior management understands the importance of digital tools to redesign public services.

Feel senior management are investing in technology to improve citizen outcomes at lower costs.

Accelerating digital services

Have allocated budgets for digital investments.

Are confidently embracing new technology with relevant privacy and information security safeguards.

Say digital technology makes their organisation more efficient and improves the citizen experience.

Top 5 digital technologies in local councils

59%Instant messaging:Provides real-time, cost effective communications securely with citizens, increasing satisfaction and responsiveness to queries.53%Video conferencing:Promotes desk compression through flexible working, greater workforce efficiency with minimal time spent travelling and support a green agenda with reduced carbon emissions.38%Cloud computing:Enables faster access to innovation and improved citizen services, by quickly spinning up virtual machines to test ideas and rollout new services rapidly.23%Call analytics:Offers real-time insights that improve decision making and responsiveness of frontline staff based on call activity, real-time call queues, call quality and individual end-point devices.17%Cloud telephony:Eliminates the need for expensive on-site PBX equipment and costly maintenance contracts.

Five steps to create a smart council

Set a clear digital strategy with defined targets
Identify core applications/services to be replaced with digital technologies
Evaluate new cloud technologies to support key scenarios using pilot projects
Test and validate use cases and build-up internal IT skills
Select an optimal solution and drive council wide adoption of digital technology

Find out more

To learn how you can accelerate the shift to digital and better serve your constituents through cloud communications, contact our dedicated public sector team at uk-publicsector@8x8.com

For more information call 0333 043 8888 or visit 8x8.com/uk-public-sector