In Bilbao, Spain, at Microsoft's third annual Local and Regional Government Solutions Forum, the Redmond company has introduced its Business Value Framework, an offering aimed at local governments. The Framework is essentially designed to deliver a three-layer model that bridges technology solutions to published government indicators, and is tailored to the United Kingdom, reveals James Brown, an Industry Technology Strategist (ITS) at Microsoft for the World Wide Public Sector Team (WWPS) focusing on Local and Regional Governments.

“It is there to show the business how investments in technology can improve the following business imperatives: National Performance Indicators; Cost Savings; CO2 efficiencies. This two-step assessment tool helps you identify your current maturity level and provides a tailor-made report detailing the benefits that your organisation could expect from moving to the next maturity level,” Brown explains.

Microsoft has already launched a Beta version of the Business Value Framework and has made the solution available for testing. Government members need only to navigate to the BVF Self-assessment webpage and sign in in order to get started on the report. Microsoft advises participants in the Business Value Framework Beta to have the following data “within reach”: number of citizens, number of employees, average hours worked per employee per year, number of desktops, number of laptops, number of Windows-based servers, annual ICT budget and total revenue budget.

“Our annual event brings together thought leaders from around the world in practical innovation for local and regional governments and public sector innovation,” said Gordon McKenzie, director for Worldwide Local and Regional Government at Microsoft, speaking in advance of the forum. “The forum this year will also showcase practical examples as to how local governments can meet the challenges of efficiency savings and a lower environmental footprint through some of the new solutions pioneered by Microsoft and our partners.”