WHEREAS, Testimony during this year's budget hearings highlighted potential areas for increased efficiency and cost-savings in the operation of City government, including through the implementation of technology; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia plans to invest $125 million in technology over the course of the FY11-15 five-year plan; and
WHEREAS, These investments are critical for improving the efficiency of City operations, including by streamlining antiquated workflow processes; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, the use and development of internet-based cloud computing has improved the efficiency of computer applications by allowing users to access common software applications over the internet; and
WHEREAS, Under a cloud computing model, customers pay only for services used and, as a result, may avoid certain capital expenditures for hardware, software, and underutilized services; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia should, whenever feasible and cost-effective, implement internet-based computing technology to enable the City's workforce to perform its duties with greater flexibility, efficiency, and productivity while minimizing the need for expensive capital expenditures and software licensing agreements; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to the Rules of Council, the Committee on Labor and Civil Service shall hear, inter alia, [a]ll matters relating to labor relations, work flow processes, reinventing government, efficiency and productivity of the labor force, customer service, [and] the Civil Service Commission; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,
That the City Council Committee on Labor and Civil Service is authorized to hold hearings to explore the implementation of internet-based cloud computing technology to enable the City and its workforce to provide better services to its citizens more efficiently.
End