In an effort to modernize the city of Chicago’s digital infrastructure, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that he has signed a four-year deal with Microsoft to help improve the city’s office operations while saving over $400,000 per year. The newly adopted “cloud strategy” includes email and desktop applications, and over 30,000 employees across the city’s departments are expected to use them.
Previously used email systems posed a few challenges and security risks, so the city is consolidating three of its systems into one. This way, outages will be reduced and security is improved. It will also ensure that all city employees will have access to all email and desktop applications. Although the actual product was not detailed, it is most likely Microsoft’s very own Office 365, which includes Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Lync Online, Office Professional Plus, and Office Web Apps.
“This strategy is an innovative solution for the City, making our operations more effective and secure and saving taxpayer money,” says Mayor Emanuel. “We are leveraging new technologies to streamline and modernize the way we do business in order to provide the residents of Chicago with the best service at the best price, which has been a fundamental part of my approach as Mayor from the moment I took office.”