Microsoft announces Smart Cities for All involvement

Microsoft today announced Smart Cities for All involvement during Smart Cities NYC ’17, a first of its kind conference which explores the merging of technology and urban life. Microsoft’s announcement comes as the world is undergoing an urban renaissance, where more people are moving to cities to build their lives.

With Smart Cities for All, resources developed by Microsoft partners, Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict) and World ENABLED, help cities becoming inclusive and smarter. Tools are provided to city leaders, to help them to align technology initiatives and smart cities programs, including the following.

• ICT accessibility standards that city governments can readily adopt
• Model procurement policy for accessible ICT
• Communication guide on the advantages of incorporating ICT accessibility into a city’s digital services
• Database (alpha) of accessible smart city solutions

Microsoft is also helping city leaders deepen their innovation and deliver faster, smarter, and safer government operating through the cloud. Examples include.

• The City of Los Angeles is using Microsoft cloud technology to power an A.I. virtual assistant – “Chip” – the city’s new digital ambassador, responding to citizen & business requests 24/7.
• The New York City Department of Education is using a GPS bus monitoring system built on Microsoft Azure and Power BI to manage vehicle maintenance, provide improved student location services, and ensure greater safety for students.

It is because of these commitments that the IDC recently identified Microsoft as the number one trusted vendor for US Smart City Transformation.

The Keynote for the event, led by Toni Townes Whitley, CVP of Microsoft Worldwide Public Sector and Industry, also discussed how business and government leaders can embrace the cloud to create new experiences in the digital economy through digital leadership. You can learn more about this initiative visiting www.smartcities4all.org.