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title: Public Sector Pulse | How AI is Revolutionizing Digital Transformation in the SLED Sector
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Your Guide to Public Sector Insights on State, Local, and Education

| View in browser Public Sector Pulse Dear Public Sector Colleagues, Happy New Year and welcome to 2025! This year is a pivotal moment for SLED IT. With leadership changes at the National and State levels, expect shifts in policy, funding, and priorities like Data Centers and Gen AI. My two suggested resolutions for the year: (1) 2025 will be a year of disruption—stay calm and embrace it. (2) Improve your professional demeanor by understanding others' perspectives, even if you disagree. - Nelson Moe, Director of SLED Strategy, Iron Bow Technologies Solutions Spotlight What is Digital Transformation and How Does AI Play a Role? At Iron Bow, Digital Transformation (DT) leverages technology to improve operations, deliver value, and address pain points with outcome-driven solutions. In the SLED sector, DT enhances decision-making and services, with AI playing a pivotal role in tackling challenges and streamlining operations. Key technologies transforming the operations of SLED organizations include: Agentic AI enables proactive operations, such as using sensors to detect road damage and dispatch repair crews automatically, improving safety and trust. Generative AI (GenAI) is revolutionizing communication. It automates tasks like responding to permit applications, reducing delays and freeing staff for complex work, boosting efficiency and satisfaction. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) integrates AI with real-time data, enabling quick analysis of student performance and budgets for faster decisions. Let Iron Bow support your organization in achieving measurable results with AI-driven solutions. We help streamline operations, enhance communication, and make data-driven decisions—all while minimizing disruption and maximizing impact.   - Nicholas Serapiglia, Director, Digital Transformation, Iron Bow Technologies Let's Talk About Digital Transformation Trends to Watch Emerging Trends in State and Local Education & Government Cyber CMMC Requirements Hit the Street! \| Federal Register Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards \| NIST State CIO Priorities 2025 State CIO TOP 10 Priorities \| NASCIO AI Manhattan Project for AI? \| Reuters Free AI Training to Maryland State Employees \| MD DOIT What Is Retrieval-Augmented Generation, aka RAG? \| NVIDIA Upcoming Events Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo & Conference (PETE&C) Proud Exhibitor February 9-12, 2025 MTC's Technology Transformation Conference Proud Sponsor, Exhibitor, & Speaker February 13, 2025 Virginia Association of Governmental Procurement (VAGP) Spring Conference Proud Sponsor March 30 - April 2, 2025 K-12 E-Rate Funding Looking to Maximize Your E-Rate Dollars? E-Rate funding has made technology more accessible to schools and libraries; here are 10 tips to help maximize its benefits: Know that the E-Rate program provides $8B in funding with a five-year budget cycle Calculate the budget for your school: Enrollment x $167 = pre-discount budget Assess resources and assign responsibility for managing your application Create a tech vision for your school or library -- think bigger picture! Assess needs and prioritize Wi-Fi upgrades as 98% of applicants consider it critical  Design your network to align with your vision, goals, and priorities Use a competitive bidding process Understand the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and meet your deadlines Identify matching and other funding sources Manage the process year-round Download the E-Rate Infographic Source: Cisco & Funds for Learning Survey Grants & State Funding Funding the Future with Grants The United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Utility Services (RUS) has opened the Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT) Grant. This program helps rural communities leverage advanced telecommunications to overcome remoteness and low population density. Applications due March 6. State Funding Highlights NASBO Fiscal Survey of States 2024 Report Budget: Indicates modest/flat budgets, likely continuing into 2025 Spending: Fiscal 2025 to decline 0.3%, but 31 states expect increases (~1.9%) Revenue: Fiscal 2025 up 1.9% from 2024; 39 states exceeded 2024 estimates Tax Policy: Fiscal 2025 sees fewer changes; 27 states with cuts, 10 with increases Resource Center Avoid Costly Audit Failures and Secure Your Funding Achieving Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance is essential for securing funding and maintaining eligibility for contracts and grants, particularly for higher education institutions involved in research and development. Let us help you navigate CMMC requirements and reduce cybersecurity risks.   Connect With Us Contact Your SLED Account Manager Email us at SLED@ironbow.com to get in touch with your Account Manager and learn more about our SLED Contract Vehicles. Iron Bow Technologies 2121 Cooperative Way, Suite 500, Herndon, VA 20171 703-279-3000 \| 800-338-8866 Unsubscribe Manage Preferences |
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