Cloud-based solutions are becoming commonplace. Chances are you use several of them yourself for work, or in your personal life. There’s a clear reason for that: they’re convenient. 

As the public sector faces the worst hiring and retention crisis we’ve seen in decades, the benefits of “the cloud” matter more and more. Due to limited staffing and burnout, many government agencies have had to limit services (or service quality) to the community.

Has your department struggled with limited staffing, outdated equipment and lack of funding? Cloud-based solutions can help your department accomplish more with limited resources, while saving money. Learn why local governments are trading traditional systems for cloud-based systems, as well as the benefits you can expect from community development software.

Community Development Challenges in Local Government

Most government jobs exist because there’s a problem that needs to be solved. Community development is no exception.

As a community developer, you oversee land use and property development. Your goal is to create a safe and attractive environment for the community and businesses. And as purposeful as your job is, it also comes with many challenges.

As populations grow and housing costs rise, local governments struggle to keep housing affordable for low- and middle-income families. Community growth also leads to more building and development – good for the local economy but tough on your department. 

Building codes need to be enforced. Permits need to be reviewed and processed. And as the community develops, infrastructure (roads, utilities, public transportation) needs to be upgraded and maintained more frequently to keep pace.

All of this, and more, needs to be done with limited department resources. Many community development departments operate with insufficient funding, staffing, and equipment. Despite this, you often have to make tough decisions as you decide how to allocate resources. 

How do you prioritize the need for infrastructure improvements, community services, and economic development? How do you allocate resources efficiently and equitably while gathering feedback from all citizens, including marginalized and underrepresented groups?

Without community development software, these challenges can be overwhelming, time-consuming and expensive. Many agencies still rely on traditional workflows and outdated technology solutions, like rigid on-prem systems that require extensive hardware and software installations. Or maybe you’re relying on a combination of paper-based systems, Excel spreadsheets and project management tools. Either way, there is a better solution available.

Shift from Traditional to Cloud-Based Solutions

Traditionally, local governments have managed land use, zoning, permitting, etc. with on-prem systems that require extensive IT infrastructure (i.e. servers, IT staff). They also require regular maintenance, limit access to data, and hinder collaboration.

Cloud-based solutions have revolutionized community development by hosting software and data on remote servers. This reduces the IT burden on local governments, cutting down on hardware costs and the need for a large IT staff. 

Moreover, cloud solutions provide high levels of accessibility. They allow city planners, inspectors and other stakeholders to access data and systems from anywhere, at any time, using any device with internet connectivity. With this kind of flexibility, stakeholders can collaborate across departments and locations in real time for faster and more informed decision-making.

Cloud-based community development systems also improve data security and backup procedures. Providers typically offer advanced security features and redundancy to protect data – a level of security that can be costly to achieve with on-premises solutions.

Overall, this transition represents a move towards more efficient, secure and collaborative community planning. The benefits of cloud-based software align too well with the goals of local government to ignore.

Benefits of Cloud-Based Community Development Solutions

Scalability

As your community grows, so does its needs. With cloud-based software, you can easily scale to accommodate increased demand without the need for physical hardware upgrades. That means you can add more users, manage larger datasets, and integrate more services. Plus, cloud systems quickly adapt to changing regulations and policies, allowing you to keep pace with the rate of development without worrying about system constraints.

Flexibility

Cloud-based software is advantageous for community developers who need to access and update data from various locations, including remote sites or while in the field. You can access the system with any internet-connected device, be it a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. This lets you conduct on-site inspections and update planning documents in real-time. Cloud-based software also integrates more easily with other tools and systems, which improves workflows and data integrity across departments.

Cost Savings

Cloud-based software can help local governments save money. By moving to the cloud, the need for on-premise servers, IT infrastructure, IT staff, and specialized maintenance is greatly reduced. Not only does this lower your initial capital expenditure, it also decreases ongoing operational costs like energy consumption, system upgrades and hardware maintenance. Cloud solutions typically offer subscription-based models that allow for predictable budgeting, as well as the flexibility to adjust services based on the current budget and project demands.

Efficiency

Typical land management and building permit processes often involve manual tasks that drain time and resources. Community development software can reduce the burden on your staff. How so?

Cloud-based solutions automate project workflows so you can save time on administrative tasks and focus your attention elsewhere, like strategic planning and service delivery. 

Automation mitigates the risk of human error while handling data, which can lead to costly delays and compliance issues. By standardizing workflows and integrating checks and balances within the system, you can feel confident that every step is completed accurately.

Cloud solutions also centralize data in a single, convenient location so all stakeholders have access to the most current information. With access to real-time information and data analytics, your team can make informed decisions quickly. During busy construction seasons, you can monitor permit applications, approvals, and inspections in real-time. You can even identify bottlenecks to keep the project running smoothly.

How to Get Started

Everyone wants to maximize resources and time to the best of their ability. Community development software can help you do exactly that.

There’s a reason community development departments are trading out their traditional processes for a cloud-based solution. It automates project workflows to save time. It offers a subscription-based model for predictable budgeting, including the ability to adjust plans as needed. And it lets you access the real-time data you need anytime, anywhere.

Community Development, powered by CentralSquare, was designed for the needs of community development departments in local government. It gives you each of the benefits above, and much more. Schedule a discovery call today to learn how our software can help your team save time and money.