Connect 2021: Virtually Possible Begins
April 27, 2021 by Meredith Trimble
This morning, we welcomed more than 5,000 energized public sector practitioners and leaders to Tyler Connect 2021: Virtually Possible. This first-ever virtual user conference kicked off with an opening session that celebrated attendees and their inspiring creativity, collaboration, and work ethic over the past year. These public sector innovators demonstrated over and over again what was “virtually possible” in a tumultuous time. Their accomplishments – and the indispensable work of their colleagues – showed us hope, progress, and adaptability.
Client Innovators
Lynn Moore, president & CEO, Tyler Technologies and Jeff Puckett, chief operating officer, Tyler Technologies celebrate client innovation.
From the City of Orlando Police Department to the Saratoga Springs City School District in New York; the City of Santa Monica, California; Olathe, Kansas; the Superior Court of San Luis Obispo, California; and so many more, Tyler clients highlighted in the session shifted to remote operations, increased virtual services, enhanced citizen engagement, and otherwise accelerated technology innovations to meet new and urgent constituent needs.
As Lynn Moore, Tyler’s president & CEO, noted, “These innovations and investments are paving the way for the public sector to emerge from the pandemic transformed and in a stronger position.” Moore’s remarks included Tyler’s own pandemic shifts, including virtual implementations and an acceleration of cloud development to provide clients with the agility necessary to help them overcome evolving challenges quickly.
Cloud Journey
Jeff Puckett talks about the public sector’s cloud journey.
Tyler’s Chief Operating Officer Jeff Puckett was on hand to talk in more detail about the public sector’s move to the cloud, noting something that became apparent at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic: “Organizations that were already in the cloud had an advantage. Cloud technology provided seamless remote access to data and systems the minute buildings were closed.” Puckett’s remarks about Tyler’s own cloud journey – which has been in progress for more than 15 years – demonstrated how the cloud helps government software users in any role, as well as the communities they serve. Cloud benefits include more predictable budgets, reduced IT infrastructure expenses, enhanced security and disaster recovery, and easier compliance with federal standards like CJIS. “Cloud solutions,” noted Puckett, “also enable departments to use data as a strategic asset in the design, management, and delivery of innovative programs and services. These solutions create better connections between departments, across agencies and jurisdictions, and with citizens.”
GovTech Stack and Connected Communities
Moore contextualized the cloud as an important component of a complete, modern government technology stack, which is simply a government’s digital foundation that agencies can build over time. “The GovTech Stack is the technical blueprint for how to get to Connected Communities,” Moore said. “Its components meet the needs of an evolving digital world, but, equally important, they support you by reducing complexity and making your jobs easier.”
Cybersecurity
Jeff Puckett, chief operating officer
Cybersecurity is another component of a complete GovTech Stack. A recent security report noted that cyberattacks on state and local governments are up 50% in the last three years. Extended work from home has increased cybersecurity risks. To stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape, Moore noted upcoming Connect cybersecurity sessions led by Matt O’Neill, U.S. Secret Service special agent and Dan Lohrmann, chief security officer at Security Mentor, Inc.
Data and the Future
Lynn Moore, president & CEO
In looking ahead to the future, Moore focused on data and what it can do. “During the pandemic,” he noted, “Buffalo, New York’s centralized COVID-19 hub for decision-makers and the public became an example to follow. The City of Los Angeles used data to fuel a food access map to serve increased need. Moving forward, data must be an integral part of all of a government’s operations.”
Breaking down silos and surfacing relevant data supports smarter decisions and better department and community outcomes. Whether it's finance, tax, permitting and licensing, or public safety, courts, justice partners and school systems, data ties it all together and creates the connections that solve problems.
In closing, Moore noted that, “Together, we can transform operations to solve problems and enhance performance, service, and growth. We can, together, reinforce more fair and equitable procedures. These things are ambitious and exciting. And they lead me to firmly believe that they best days are ahead of us.”
These three days of Connect will offer in-depth training sessions, high-profile industry and celebrity speakers, unique networking experiences, and some well-deserved opportunities for attendees to focus on their own health and wellness. Check back in this space daily during the event for more highlights.