Relatively mundane city management issues, from parking to water use, are going high-tech as cities seek to use analytics and information to improve their operations.
Companies are pushing this kind of work, arguing it can improve city services and operations while lowering costs or even producing new revenue.
In Dubuque, Iowa, for instance, the city government hired IBM to pilot new technology for the water system. The city has equipped homes with automated water meters and, with the help of IBM, delivered consumption information to residents, resulting in greater conservation and quicker response to leaks.