Cloud Computing: Microsoft Announces Global ‘Smart Cities’ Initiative
July 12, 2013
Grazed from Datamation. Author: Cynthia Harvey.
At its Worldwide Partner Conference, Microsoft launched a "smart city" initiative it calls CityNext. The goal is to make cities more efficient and responsive through big data and cloud computing technology provided by Microsoft.
InformationWeek’s Michael Endler reported, "Microsoft on Wednesday announced CityNext, a global initiative intended to develop ‘smart cities’ around the world. Unveiled at the company’s Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston, the plan leverages Microsoft’s Partner Network to help cities become more efficient even as they struggle with austere budgets and decaying urban infrastructure. If CityNext succeeds, cities will improve efficiency by installing Microsoft products that harness the cloud and big data."…
According to the press release, "CityNext customer Barcelona, Spain — long recognized as a digital innovator — has successfully harnessed cloud, data and apps to enhance administrative operations, interact with citizens and make information transparent. For example, Microsoft and CityNext partner BISmart worked with the Barcelona City Council to launch OpenData BCN, an initiative to make data accessible to the public. Using the Windows Azure cloud, the OpenData BCN platform aggregates myriad facts about the city — such as population density and total unemployment — into a central hub with enhanced security."…
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