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How Tech Leaders Can Drive Legacy Upgrades For Municipal Systems

Mar 24, 2025 - forbes.com
Local governments often rely on outdated technology, such as 1990s mainframes, due to fears of cost, disruption, and the unknown. However, maintaining these legacy systems is costly and risky, as they are vulnerable to cyberattacks and inefficiencies. Modernization is essential for improving security, reducing costs, and enhancing citizen services. Tech leaders play a crucial role in guiding this transformation by addressing fears through pilot projects, clear communication, and user-friendly training.

To overcome budget constraints, agencies can adopt phased rollouts, use middleware solutions, and explore creative funding strategies. Successful modernization examples, like Honolulu's ERP integration, demonstrate the potential benefits, including streamlined workflows and improved transparency. As governments transition to modern platforms, AI can further enhance efficiencies, though it requires proper governance. Ultimately, modernization should be seen as an ongoing investment, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration to ensure long-term progress and better governance.

Key takeaways:

  • Legacy systems in local governments pose security risks, increase maintenance costs, and lead to inefficiencies, making modernization essential.
  • Overcoming resistance to change requires pilot projects, clear communication, and user-friendly training to demonstrate the benefits of new systems.
  • Budget constraints can be addressed through phased rollouts, middleware solutions, and creative funding strategies like grants and SaaS models.
  • Modernization is an ongoing process that requires cross-department collaboration, continuous improvement, and a culture of innovation to ensure long-term success.
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