Socitm magazine now freely available online

30 Jan 2018 03:07 PM

Socitm, the representative body for people in public sector IT, has announced that its In Our View magazine will now be freely available to members and non-members alike.

The tri-annual publication launched in 2014 as a members-only benefit and has proven to be an invaluable source of news and information for IT and digital professionals. 

The move to extend the reach of the magazine will allow the society to communicate key messages to a far greater audience. 

The winter edition of In Our View, published yesterday (30 January), explores how councils can run ‘smart’ projects to support citizens rather than suppliers. It focuses on two innovative projects:  CityVerve, the UK's demonstrator project in Manchester; and Bristol City Council’s integrated operations centre, which brings together traffic management, bus lane enforcement, monitoring of public spaces, and out of hours, concierge and telecare services.

It’s not just the big cities that are using smart technology to improve services and save money. Chris Riley, Socitm vice president and ICT manager at Lancaster City Council, explains how his local authority is working with Vodafone to become a ‘smart district’ which is better connected, more productive and with a higher quality of life.

The issue also includes an interview with Theo Blackwell, London’s first city-wide chief digital officer, who discusses his plans to make it “the data capital of the world”.

Other features include: a letter from Socitm's president, Geoff Connell; an interview with a 'mover and shaker' from the ICT/digital world; and a look at the challenges facing our German counterparts in 'World View'. 

There’s also news on Pepper the ‘carebot’ and a new digital social currency set to be launched in Hull.

Download the winter edition of In Our View.