https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Subscribe to GovPro
    • Manage GovPro Subscription
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
acc.com

Smart Cities & Technology


GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY/BI softwae posts visual results

GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY/BI softwae posts visual results

Last November, for the first time, Philadelphia used business intelligence software and visualization tools to track and tally mayoral election results.
  • Written by Larry Lennon
  • 1st February 2000

Last November, for the first time, Philadelphia used business intelligence software and visualization tools to track and tally mayoral election results. Detailed election data was analyzed and presented in a timely and accurate way that could be easily displayed for and understood by the candidates, city officials and the media.

Business intelligence software uses internet technology to make information accessible to employees via the Web. The visualization techniques employed in business intelligence software help governments evaluate budget alternatives, identify trends, and report and analyze their operations and data, such as crime patterns and criminal statistics, financial information and other records.

“This was the first time such sophisticated software had been used by the city to track election results,” says Brian Anderson, chief information officer for Philadelphia. “We could immediately see what districts were voting for which candidate by mapping the data to a color-coded graphic. This greatly improved the speed and accuracy of the reporting we saw during the election.”

Philadelphia collected polling information and entered it into a mainframe computer database. Throughout election night, the city’s IT department extracted data from the mainframe, then loaded and stored the information in an Oracle database. A minute-by-minute report was created to track voting. The report — much like a tabular spreadsheet of information — was then transformed into a visual presentation.

The visual report allowed the city staff to track voting data using advanced geographical and statistical charting. For example, a map of the voting regions was shaded red (Democrat) or blue (Republican), depending on which candidate was winning that region. The color’s hue represented the percentage lead. For example, dark blue showed that the Republican candidate had a large lead, whereas light blue meant a small lead.

The charts also showed the number of polls reporting; a pie chart showed the percentage lead in numerals. All of the election information was then displayed in the mayor’s office of information services on a large television screen for the media and election officials.

Anderson says the use of business intelligence software during the election was an indication of things to come. He plans to roll out the software to every agency and department across the city to help officials run the city more efficiently. The visualization techniques allow decision-makers to rapidly see the things that most affect their organizations and assists them in tasks like performance measurement, purchasing and planning.

“My job is to give city officials, such as the mayor or the police commissioner, the tools that can present a complete and comprehensive picture of their organization so they can spend more time managing issues rather than piles of paper,” Anderson says. “We are already using business intelligence for financial analysis at city hall and have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by using fewer resources to achieve better results in less time.”

Business intelligence software also is being used in 34 school districts across Massachusetts to analyze standardized test results. Through multidimensional assessment, the school districts can incorporate demographic data with test results and analyze individual student performances. Schools also can determine areas for improvement in the curriculum, comparing results from different schools within one district. That can help determine if staff changes need to be made as well.

Tags: Smart Cities & Technology

Related


  • COVID-19 and pivoting into a new year: It may be 2021, but did we really leave 2020?
    As we continue to navigate 2021, many issues will require continued tech leadership and support to carry everyone through
  • Artificial cities could pave the way to driverless adoption
    Connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) have a future. That is without doubt but there is still a need to ensure that they will be safe on our highways and to ease the public’s safety concerns to increase their adoption over the next few years. CAVs need to be able to react to unforeseen events – […]
  • Buffalo, N.Y.'s 48 hours to navigate a mission-critical transition to remote work
    In Buffalo, N.Y., 311 is a vital lifeline for the city, providing an always-on call resource for the city’s 250,000 residents to reach city government. When the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a stay-at-home order, city officials knew a surge of calls was coming, and they needed to act fast to keep their front-line communications channel open. […]
  • Hi-tech sewers can help safeguard public health, environment and economies
    In the wake of the coronavirus, economic recovery is top of mind for all city leaders, the majority of whom believe that investing in infrastructure and technology can spur a rebound. Yet current analyses indicate that we only have funding available to cover approximately 57 percent of infrastructure system improvements through 2029, leaving an investment gap […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Bridging the digital divide by fostering digital inclusion and economic recovery
  • Amazon Web Services unveils program to help government technology startups
  • AT&T unveils FirstNet innovations, including HPUE, vertical location, deployable offerings
  • As cities praise America’s return to Paris agreement, many have remained on course with climate actions and goals

White papers


Discover How Public Sector Officials are Monitoring and Managing Overtime in This New White Paper

22nd February 2021

How to Assemble a Successful Government Grant Proposal

5th February 2021

The Rise of Procurement’s Next Normal

5th February 2021
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

Using data to improve emergency response resources dlvr.it/RtVSc0

25th February 2021
AmerCityCounty

How small cities are tackling lead service line replacement dlvr.it/RtV9G8

25th February 2021
AmerCityCounty

COVID-19 and pivoting into a new year: It may be 2021, but did we really leave 2020? dlvr.it/RtQRcr

24th February 2021
AmerCityCounty

Six tips for making sure your dispatch is doing all the right moves dlvr.it/RtQBvl

24th February 2021
AmerCityCounty

New pandemic recovery tools for public transit dlvr.it/RtLJ61

23rd February 2021
AmerCityCounty

Artificial cities could pave the way to driverless adoption dlvr.it/RtJGZZ

23rd February 2021
AmerCityCounty

How city leaders can develop, manage and maintain strategic partnerships dlvr.it/RtGGYy

22nd February 2021
AmerCityCounty

Baltimore will distribute recycling carts to residents to encourage recycling dlvr.it/RtGB6n

22nd February 2021

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X