Government Bits

Tracking how technology is transforming interaction between governments and citizens.

Bell Canada’s Private Cloud
Powers Adobe Connect

- outside of the reach of the US Patriot Act

I spent a few days working in the Bell Canada’s Private Cloud infrastructure, (Infrastructure as a Service from Bell Canada), setting up virtual machines, networks and firewalls. I setup the environment after meeting with some Canadian Government agencies where I quickly learned how important it would be to Adobe Connect available in the private cloud – all in Canada.

Now, the Canadian government will be able to test out this Adobe Connect deployment that is “all in Canada”. I’m pretty sure other governments around the world (and some individuals) will also be very interested in this new deployment option.

You know that feeling you have inside when you are prepping for a virtual meeting and need one last item configured, but you don’t know where to turn?  Well, I’m here to tell you you are in good company.  I’ve done it myself…**blushing**…and I should know better!

I wanted to create a blog with a list of resources you can go to when you are in a jam and need quick assistance.  So, I have put this together below for your viewing pleasure.  I would bookmark this blog so you can quickly access this in the future.

I engage with a variety of civilian agencies as they prepare to rollout their telework program.  Everyone is looking for a tool to support their mobile worker and provide them with an interactive, rich environment that includes video, audio and desktop sharing among many other features.  Multiple device and cross operating system support is also a requirement.  You never know who you will need to collaborate with online!

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The US Army in Afghanistan is using Adobe Connect to provide a place to meet 24/7/365 for the people and organizations involved in trying to keep the peace. This includes 20 or more base clusters and many NATO partners. The main room typically has 20 or more attendees in it at all times of the day – keeping in touch with what is going on. The main focus is sharing a map of current incidents and deployments. Breakout rooms are used when attendance in the main Connect meeting room begins to grow and various side conversations develop.

(The map gives all attendees on the team excellent situational awareness)

Last week, you heard from my colleague, Scott Biegel, about his Adobe Connect roadshow through the states.   If you missed his post, I encourage you to review it and see when the show will be in your area!

As Adobe Connect Solutions Consultants, we have the privilege of hearing from all of you (our customers) about what is working, what’s not and how you are using our technology in amazing and unique ways.   Today, I wanted to share with you a fascinating use case I recently came across from one of my customers.

My customer, a civilian agency in downtown D.C., was asked to administer a timed, written exam to individuals in the U.S. and beyond.  Since they had Adobe Connect, they were able to satisfy this requirement in a timely, cost effective way by moving the exam online.  All participants of the exam were given instructions on how to login to the online Adobe Connect room at their specified time.  Because Adobe Connect allows participants to join from any location all they needed was an Internet connection, a standard web browser and the ubiquitous Flash Player.  It is also important to note that Adobe Connect is supported on all iOS and Android mobile devices via the free Adobe Connect Mobile app.

“Bringing the show to all 50 states!”

You may or may not have heard the “buzz” around your state agency…maybe you just have felt the energy…maybe you just stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night!  Either way, I want to share with you what is coming or has come to your town.