Discussion on role of cloud connected services to optimise government operations in Oman

Muscat: A workshop was organised on Wednesday aimed at discussing the role of cloud connected services that can empower and optimise government operations and efficiency.
The Information Technology Authority (ITA), in partnership with Microsoft Oman, hosted a session under the theme of "Empowering Digital Government” at the Hormuz Grand Hotel, in Muscat.
More than 100 IT professionals and decision makers from 45 government entities and Microsoft officials took part in the session.
The session introduced government decision makers and professionals to Microsoft’s latest tools and solutions, which aim to advance government priorities, driving good governance and promoting cost efficiencies.
Dr. Ya'qoob Dur Al Balushi, Deputy CEO for Infrastructure and e-Services at ITA and Sheikh Saif Hilal Al Hosni, Microsoft Gulf Public Sector SMSP lead delivered the opening keynote, followed by presentations on Digital Transformation success stories from the government.
The sessions elaborated on the public sector use-case scenarios of advanced technologies and how their adoption can further empower the robust digital transformation strategies and plans of Oman’s Government entities.
"The Sultanate of Oman has been on a journey towards digital transformation for over a decade now by implementing e.oman Strategy which ITA is responsible for implementing in cooperation with the government and private sectors, spurred by the realisation that technology can have a profound effect on all aspects of the society. We at ITA believe that digital and innovative solutions can help in transforming the country into a knowledge-based economy, leveraging technology as a key enabler, and as a means for economic diversification and sustained development. We are pleased to partner with Microsoft and host this event which focuses on showcasing Microsoft’s efforts in offering innovative solutions such as cloud services to empower government and business sector digital
transformation and the delivery of efficient eServices," said Dr. Ya'qoob Dur Al Balushi, Deputy CEO for Infrastructure and e-Services at ITA.
The Microsoft ‘Empowering Digital Government’ event underscored the company’s commitment to deliver trusted cloud and innovative productivity, as well as mobility solutions based on a citizen centric approach that provide a strong foundation for digital governments, and empower public sector employees to achieve more for the institutions, businesses and citizens they serve.
"Technology has continually served as a catalyst for change, progress and growth within many nations. To keep pace, government institutions of all sizes are transforming operations to embrace a changing society, a mobile-first culture, and a data driven economy,” said Sherif Tawfik,
Country General Manager of Microsoft Bahrain and Oman. "Microsoft is committed to partnering with governments around the world to enable them to address societal challenges by harnessing the power of digital technologies in order to empower citizens, businesses and organisations. Our partnership with ITA reflects our ongoing efforts towards supporting the government of Oman in realising its digitisation
goals, steering the country towards becoming a true digital society in line with its vision 2020".
With a primary focus on how technology can optimise
governments, transform services, empower employees and engage citizens; the event agenda also included informative sessions on how Government institutions can optimise their cost and operating efficiency with flexible and trusted cloud services and solutions; that allow them to harness the power of the cloud on their own terms. Microsoft speakers and subject matter experts held engaging discussions on key transformation challenges that governments face from security, mobility, data analytics and IoT, to the cloud infrastructure, and how
Governments can use Microsoft’s secured enterprise-grade, hybrid cloud platform for improved operations, smarter government actions, more connected collaboration amongst citizens and agencies, and deliver improved citizen outcomes.
With leading decision makers and public entities present, the
event provided an ideal opportunity for the country’s government sector to map out areas of concern and take steps towards addressing them by exploring strategies for improving efficiencies, fostering innovation, reducing costs, and increasing business competitiveness.