Why you might ask? There are actually 8 reasons. You ready to take a look

1. Versatile - According to Wikipedia, ” Google Apps is a service from Google providing independently customizable versions of several Google products under a custom domain name. It features several Web applications with similar functionality.”
2. Secure – Google data centers have been engineered by top-notch security experts & FISMA certified. Added in at no extra cost is best-in-class disaster recovery
3. Gmail – What could be easier for your agency than having 25GB storage for your Gmail, less spam, and 99.9% uptime. Email security is powered by Postini. In addition, Gmail has been designed to be a powerhouse resource for convenience and user-friendliness allowing you to work from wherever you are, work faster, and use text, voice and video chat to connect with those people you need to connect with.
4. Google Calendar - Your calendar is equipped to handle agenda management, scheduling, shared online calendars and mobile calendar syncing capabilities.
5. Google Docs – Do you need to work on a document or spreadsheet in partnership with someone in your agency? No problem. Work in real time without having to deal with attachments.
6. Google Sites - Would you like to have an intranet or team-managed site for your local government agency? Google Sites is secure AND it allows you to set up sites easily without having to deal with special coding.
7. Video – Using Google Apps Video gives you the freedom and ease of use to share your videos — securely. Provide support to agency training programs or use videos to add a personal touch to staff communications.
8. Open Records Compliance – In Tennessee (where we are) all levels of government are required to retain certain electronic communications as part of the Tennessee Open Records Act. If your local government is archiving e-mails, it should be, and Google Apps has easy and affordable options that comply with the Open Records Act.

Google Apps for Government provides reliability in cloud-based apps — AND it is certified by the U.S. government. Want to customize by adding more apps? Just check out the Google Apps Marketplace.

Google Apps for Government has every app to make your agency run like a lean, mean machine — cost effectively. Need further proof  as to why Google Apps is an excellent collaboration tool for local governments? Check out Google Apps for Government and see the case studies, FAQ, the section on what voters have to say and more for yourself.

Twelve Oaks Group specializes in developing easy to manage online resources for Local Government and has multiple web services that may be of interest to you — or if you think of any questions about Google Apps for Government that you don’t have answers for, give us a call at (731) 337-4330. We’ll be glad to help you out.

Twelve Oaks Group

Tennessee-based Twelve Oak Group is unique in its approach to its customers. Each team member is committed to helping grow small business, making local government more accessible, and enhancing communities with their web design and consulting services expertise. We will not deviate from this approach!

More Posts – Website

Follow Me:

As we look at local government, there are usually 3 types of functions that local government has a prime opportunity to communicate and interact with the public — using, believe it or not, a website. It does not have to be some big, elaborate website either.

Let’s take a closer look at how local government can be behind the 8 ball when it comes to performing their functions effectively

1.      Local governments provide services.

You know the services I’m speaking of — government roles can include providing the community’s water supply, fire protection, schools, parks, and libraries — and even services to help individuals that have special needs, physically or in times of crisis. Is your entity using a website to spread the word about what you are doing or offering as local government services or about updates that each person needs to be aware of? If not, you are behind the 8 ball.

2.      Local governments encourage community improvement.

For example, if a department or agency sponsors community events such as clean-up days that will make neighborhoods more attractive and safer, help the homeless programs or senior programs, those types of local government services should be publicized. Agencies can do this by publishing a community calendar for the current month or future months. Set up sections that are specific to residents or businesses and keep each group appraised of vital information.

3.      Local governments protect people from harm.

Local government is key in making sure that their constituents are safe from harm. I mean, think about it. Government agencies are responsible for making and investigating criminal laws, as well as incarcerating those individuals that insist on breaking the laws. A local government can make good use of a website to ensure people know what the laws are and the penalties that can be imposed for breaking those laws.

Let’s take a look at some of the areas where you can use your local government website to educate, inform, and increase awareness for a variety of subjects as seen through the eyes of the City of Dyer, Tennessee.

Beginning with the layout of the Dyer site, readers can get a quick overview of the City of Dyer itself. From there, you have links to critical departments (fire, police, public works, certain boards and more). A constituent can be brought up to speed on the latest news that the City of Dyer wants people to see, as well as gain instant access to upcoming events like board meetings.

So often, people view their local government as this big, unfriendly bureau set apart from them who that doesn’t care about them. That does not — and should not — be the case. By having a website, local governments can interact with the people and keep them up to date on what’s happening. Is your local government doing this? If not, your local government is behind the 8 ball.

Twelve Oaks Group specializes in developing easy to manage online resources for local government and can help you. Contact us today for more information on how you can show your constituents that you really do care. Get your information out in front of them. There are lots of possibilities and the sky’s the limit.

Pam

Pam Lokker is a master writer and proficient virtual assistant, as well as being Co-owner of Borlok Virtual Assistants.

In addition, Pam is Customer Service and Content Manager for the Twelve Oaks Group.

More Posts – Website

Follow Me: