Under the "Digital Communities" initiative, Intel is leading a diverse group of high-tech companies to help 13 "pilot" communities design, develop and deploy comprehensive solutions and services to enhance government efficiency, promote economic growth, foster greater community satisfaction and bridge the digital divide. The applications range from automating mobile workers such as meter readers and building inspectors to increasing the safety and enhancing resource management of first responders by remotely monitoring vehicle location to enhancing parent, teacher collaboration for improved student success.

Cleveland; Corpus Christi, Texas; Philadelphia; and Taipei, Taiwan are among the worldwide pilot communities using technology industriously today.

"As wireless technology continues to evolve, local governments are seizing the opportunity to address critical issues in their community including equal and affordable access to broadband and more efficient and effective government services," said Anand Chandrasekher, vice president and director, Intel Sales and Marketing Group. "We are working closely with these communities to help them take the next step and harness the benefits of wireless technology. The benefits include lower cost of operations, enhanced public safety and security, and a foundation for growth and competitiveness."

"Philadelphia is working closely with Intel on the Digital Communities initiative, which has helped advance the concept that wireless networks deliver multitudes of benefits beyond broadband access," said Dianah Neff, Philadelphia's chief information officer. "We believe our wireless network will ensure efficiencies for government, business and citizens in the areas of reducing processing time by as much as two hours per day for field operations staff; lowering cost of high-speed Internet access for small and disadvantaged businesses to help them grow or create new companies; connecting parents with schools to access homework, tutorials and advanced classes, ensuring a successful future for all children; and providing computers, training and affordable connectivity to all people regardless of their economic status."

Digital Communities Worldwide
The Digital Communities pilots span major geographies including the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. In addition to the four pilot communities previously mentioned, other participating cities include Portland, Ore. in the United States, along with Mangaratiba, Brazil; Dusseldorf, Germany; Gyor, Hungary; Jerusalem, Israel; Principality of Monaco; Seoul, South Korea; Osaka, Japan; and Westminster, United Kingdom.

Intel is working closely with Cisco, Dell, IBM, and SAP to help communities around the world replicate the successful installments in the pilot communities, which span from small cities to major metropolitan areas.

Corpus Christi, for example, is deploying solutions under a large wireless network that will soon span 147 square miles. This "multi-use" network, consisting of Tropos' mesh technology and Pronto Networks' security and management software, allows private and public users to securely share the same infrastructure, accessing only authorized applications and services. The city expects to significantly benefit from mobile solutions, given 70 percent of its employees work in the field. Three of the solutions deployed focus on building inspection, video surveillance and vehicle location. Dell outfitted the city's Construction and Permits Department with a mobile solution to re-engineer building inspectors' work processes with the ability to update permit data from a construction site, improving accuracy and reducing the inspection cycle by up to six days. IBM equipped police cars with the capability for streaming video, providing insight and the tools for better decision making regarding incident response and documentation of violators at a crime scene. SAP developed a vehicle asset location tool that allows the city to track vehicles more affordably, dispatch work crews more efficiently and ensure the safety of its first responders.

With a population of 2.63 million, Taipei is utilizing its extensive wireless infrastructure to enhance education and government services. The city created an online e-University program which offers citizens almost 700 classes covering topics such as management, language and humanities. Government efficiencies are being realized in a number of diverse areas including paperless administration, security surveillance and automated transportation systems. Utilized citywide by 500 agencies, including land registration and building management, the administrative e-paper exchange system handles 400,000 documents every month, eliminating the need to have physical certificates. Taipei's transportation information system can quickly collect traffic information and help plan traffic control strategies.

Mobile workers and first responders are the initial focus of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio's Digital Communities effort, which is powered by OneCleveland, the region's nonprofit ultra broadband and applications delivery network. The first solution deployed by the City of Cleveland is an enterprise e-permitting application that utilizes mobile and wireless technology from Cisco Systems, IBM and Accela. The e-permitting application, which transforms the outdated paper-based system, integrates the workflow activities of 11 departments and impacts 500 employees, giving them the ability to file reports, schedule inspections and issue permits from the field. Inspectors, such as building, housing and water department representatives, accomplish more in a day by reducing the inspection cycle, automating the review process and downloading new assignments from remote locations. Cleveland is expecting to broaden the use of the wireless network in the future to include applications that enhance public safety, improve access to health care information and services and expand distance learning.

The Digital Communities Consortium
Cisco, Dell, IBM and SAP are joined in the Digital Communities program by Accela, Airpath Wireless, Alvarion, British Telecom, CapGemini, CDW Government, Inc (CDW-G), Check Point, Civitium, EarthLink, iMove, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, Pronto Networks, Szintezis Rt., Telindus, Tropos and Vertex.

Intel is also working closely with Muniwireless.com, an online site devoted to municipal wireless broadband, detailing the return on investment that local governments can realize from technology deployment. In conjunction with the Intel Digital Communities initiative, Muniwireless created a solutions library with case studies that highlights how applications can help governments increase productivity, save money and improve services.

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