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As public funds continue to shrivel, state and local governments are increasingly turning to the Internet to trim technology costs and better manage information services. Cloud computing not only makes it possible to access information from anywhere at any time, but also to shed internal IT infrastructure in favor of renting software applications from remote providers. There are essentially three types of cloud computing services: Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). All three provide computer servers, data storage and communications capabilities at a central location, allowing clients to access software applications remotely. However, each is designed for a specific business need. Which type of service an organization needs comes down to two basic questions: How much internal technical expertise will be supported by the department? Is the department prepared to invest in ongoing maintenance of software? Often, government agencies benefit by freeing up these resources to address greater needs.

Agile development is no longer an alternative way to develop software. With the pace of technology adoption accelerating at a frenetic pace, agile is increasingly the only way to develop software. That is, if you want to stay in business.

Each year, public safety professionals learn more about the complexities of firefighting. Technology has advanced with that knowledge, allowing first responders to capture critical data and use it to inform future calls. Faced with budgetary and personnel shortages that hamper management of that data, however, fire departments stand to benefit from adoption of cloud-based solutions. Taking on the burden of hardware and software maintenance, Software as a Service (SaaS) greatly mitigates the technical overhead for a firehouse. Cloud computing improves performance, increases access to important information, and lowers the total cost of ownership for software. For fire departments, that efficiency translates into more effective emergency response.

Have you ever tried to use your computer with your eyes closed? Even with a screen reader, it's incredibly challenging. The fact is, most computer applications are not designed with disabled users in mind. Trying to navigate the web using a screen reader gave me a new level of appreciation for the amount of effort Envisage Technologies, the company for which I work, has put into improving the overall 508 compliance of the Acadis® Readiness Suite. Section 508 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs run by federal agencies, programs that receive federal assistance, in federal employment, and in the employment practices of federal contractors. An amendment to Section 508 requires federal agencies to make electronic and information technology accessible in order to eliminate barriers in information technology and create new opportunities for people with disabilities. The Acadis Readiness Suite is an enterprise software application designed to streamline training management for first responders and other federal, state and local government agencies. While 508 compliance is a requirement for several of our customers, Customs and Border Protection made compliance a priority for this software suite. Their intent was to perform 508 compliance checks on Acadis, and our intent was to be prepared.

Envisage Technologies, the leading software company for the public safety training and compliance industry, announced that it received a major investment led by Armory Capital, a family investment office. Financial terms were not disclosed. Envisage will use the new capital to solidify the company's position as the dominant training and compliance software platform in the law enforcement and public safety sector. Envisage Technologies is the developer of the Acadis Readiness Suite®; the only training ecosystem platform focused on the needs of public safety. The new funding also will enable Envisage to accelerate its rollout of FirstForward, the Nation's first secure professional learning network for first responders.

Driven by shrinking public coffers, state and local governments face a growing number of challenges. Law enforcement organizations are particularly at risk due to legacy technologies that compound costs through implementation expenses, maintenance fees, software upgrades and hardware purchases. More and more, this hidden price is motivating law enforcement departments to try cloud computing-Software as a Service (SaaS), in particular-to bring down costs and increase flexibility. To gain those benefits, however, departments must be able to overcome new issues involving information security, data management, and protecting confidentiality.

This month, Envisage Technologies will host a live webinar entitled, "Months to Minutes," at 2 pm ET/ 11 am PT on Tuesday, July 28. This session will give participants the opportunity to learn how Utah's Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) streamlined their training and compliance process from 12 months to 5 minutes. Scott Stephenson, Director of Utah POST, will describe how he transformed the compliance process using software specifically designed for law enforcement.

Envisage Technologies, a Bloomington-based software company, has signed on as an official collaborator with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. For each fire and rescue employee who signs up for access to the company's free online training network, FirstForward®, between April 15 and April 30, 2016, Envisage has pledged to donate one dollar to the Foundation. FirstForward is the nation's first Professional Training Network for first responders. It aggregates training programs and resources, making them more readily accessible to first responders across all disciplines. The FirstForward platform includes a private online community in which first responders can share insights, best practices and personal experiences. Envisage donations will be directed to Foundation programs that honor the fallen, assist their survivors, and help prevent future line-of-duty deaths and injuries.

January 16, 2014 - Envisage Technologies, a Bloomington, Indiana-based high-technology firm, announced today that it was awarded a contract by the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Based on evaluation of competitive bids, Colorado POST chose the Acadis® Readiness Suite to replace its legacy system with a modern, modular software solution.

Advancements in technology are drastically changing the way public safety agencies carry out their missions. Whether it is employing readiness software to keep better records or using the latest mobile devices to bring critical information to the field, officers must adapt their training and procedures-sometimes radically-to benefit from cutting-edge gadgets.

One of the basic technologies that enables what we often refer to as the Internet of Things is embedded Linux, a version of Linux that runs on machines that aren't computers in the traditional sense. A lot of the new "smart" devices joining Wi-Fi networks in the home and office are running some variant of it, as do a lot of those home-Wi-Fi routers themselves. Researchers at security-software company Symantec say they've found a worm that proves that, eventually, these devices may be ripe for attack. It's called Linux.Darlloz, and it appears to have been built to infect versions of Linux found in home routers, TV set-top boxes and security cameras, and also some industrial-control systems.

Heartbleed exposes the need for proactive cybersecurity Share this story: Despite the growing importance of cybersecurity to law enforcement, many agencies were left vulnerable to attack due to a weakness known as Heartbleed. This vulnerability was found in software used to secure a variety of websites and online applications. After the bug was disclosed, government agencies scrambled to plug the leak, just like everyone else

Military leaders, government workers and industry professionals recognize that cybersecurity cannot be understated. Last month, many of these minds-including leaders from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR)-gathered in San Diego at the C4ISR Symposium to discuss how to improve cybersecurity for the fleet. Personnel on board U.S. Navy ships must work hard to overcome technical limitations. With a significant number of older vessels failing cybersecurity checks due to outdated software, onboard systems are susceptible to a data breach-an event that could put lives and military operations at risk.

BLOOMINGTON, IN, August 20, 2015 - Envisage Technologies, a Bloomington, Indiana-based high-technology firm, announced today it has been awarded a multi-year contract by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service (FPS). FPS chose the Acadis® Readiness Suite to replace its legacy systems with a modern, modular software solution.

Envisage Technologies, a Bloomington, Indiana-based software company, announced today that it is a member of the Capstone Corporation Team that was one of seven companies presented an award of the Joint Force Development Services (JFDSS) indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract valued at $877 million. This contract allows Team Capstone to compete for task orders requiring training, education and exercise solutions and services in support of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, Combatant Commanders, the Military Services, U.S. Government Federal agencies, and multinational partners.

Community policing is a widely-adopted model put into practice for nearly 40 years. The concept stemmed from a desire to address community concerns about rising crime rates through increased citizen involvement. To strengthen relationships with their constituents and improve their own reputations, police officers asked for assistance in solving and preventing crimes in the area. Recent advancements in technology are altering the ways in which law enforcement agencies can incorporate community policing into their operations. By providing an easier and more efficient way for people to report crime and share information, social networks like Facebook and Twitter significantly impact how well police connect with people. Software for mobile devices facilitates and eases communication both internal and external to a department. Officers who master these digital tools may increase the effectiveness of community policing in their jurisdictions.

This past year brought about many triumphs for Envisage Technologies. The company continued to expand its partnerships and product features, further establishing itself as the leading software company for the public safety training and compliance industry. As we gear up for another successful year in 2015, Envisage takes a look back at three noteworthy milestones in 2014:

Envisage Technologies, a technology firm based in Bloomington, Indiana, announced today that the State of Tennessee has awarded them a pro-forma contract that adds the Acadis® Readiness Suite to the statewide software and services catalog. The Acadis Readiness Suite is Envisage's web-based training and compliance solution, purpose-built for public safety and government training organizations.

Are these 'expert' users at higher risk because of a false sense of security, or because they are naturally curious and therefore more risk-tolerant? Two Polytechnique academics apply clinical trial method to the design of a first-of-its-kind study on computer security.

Several months ago I taught a class on successful strategies and tactics for implementing on-line training and education. The class curriculum required a "status report" on the state of computer based training in public safety. In preparation for the class I conducted a web based survey of public safety trainers and senior staff officers. The reason for this specific group was to better understand and hear from trainers in the classroom and those in budget decision positions.