| What is an e-Community? | Company News |

A decade ago, strategic technology planning was a novelty for local governments and the communities they serve. In most places, it still is. But increasingly, the viability of a community is linked to its access and use of information and communications technologies. Technology today is as vital to economic growth as transportation and utility systems were in the past.

Technology infrastructure and the transportation and economic development policies created to take advantage of it will determine a region's future. Communities that integrate technology into their strategies and plans will have a distinct edge over those that play catch-up.

A comprehensive approach to envisioning future utilization, needs and benefits would look beyond the specific "nuts and bolts" of infrastructure planning in planning for future needs. Indeed, a solid approach considers several interrelated aspects of the digitized future:

Proactively planning for the use of digital technologies can bring immense benefits to all communities including:

• Stimulating business formation and supporting existing small businesses by sharing resources they may not be able to afford individually;
• Lowering the cost for providing government services (e-government) by providing the means for customers to help themselves to what was previously bureaucratically produced and delivered;
• Improving marketing of local communities by clearly publishing information and trends on-line;
• Providing tools for low-income communities to improve education and job skills;
• Integrating the often fragmented workforce service delivery system to fill gaps and avoid duplication;
• Facilitating the modernization of existing industries and businesses;
• Reducing traffic congestion by moving some services to digital networks and minimizing the need to accomplish all tasks through physical travel;
• Enabling stronger participation and collaboration by the public in planning initiatives;
• Facilitating local networks of organizations to collaboratively plan around specific issues; and
• Reinforcing other planning efforts and objectives.

The PSI Group takes a "fact-based" approach to assisting clients attempting to address these challenges, based on research into the latest in technology-led change and development.

PSI's services in addressing the needs of e-communities include:

• Telecommunications Assessment & Planning
• E-Government Business & Strategic Planning
• Public Participation Via Technology
• Land Use & Telecommunications Policy
• Telecommunications GIS Mapping
• Intelligent Transportation Services Mapping
• Management Consulting
• Business/Strategic Planning
• Asset Management
• Competitive Assessments/Productivity Improvements