My Public Sector Colleagues, 2025 is halfway through, and IT change continues at a rapid pace. Federal workforce shifts and funding policies are starting to impact state and local levels. AI is maturing into real-world use cases and being integrated into system architectures. Meanwhile, power demands for AI and resilient IoT are growing; some data center projects now require up to a Gigawatt, enough to power a major city like San Francisco. In workforce development and higher ed, the focus is shifting from degrees to skills. As always, the SLED community must stay agile. Our strength lies in collaboration and a shared commitment to public service, and we’ll continue moving forward together.
- Nelson Moe, Director of SLED Strategy, Iron Bow Technologies
Solutions Spotlight
Virtualization Alternatives for SLED
SLED organizations have long relied on traditional virtualization platforms to meet a wide range of infrastructure needs. For years, these solutions have led the market due to their mature ecosystems, robust feature sets, and strong third-party support. However, recent shifts in the licensing models and vendor strategies have created significant uncertainty for public sector customers. Increased costs, the elimination of perpetual licensing, and a shift toward bundled offerings regardless of actual use are driving many to reevaluate their options. Additionally, the loss of top-tier technical talent and declining support experiences are slowing innovation and frustrating users.
If you're experiencing sticker shock or growing concerns with your current virtualization provider, now may be the right time to explore alternatives. When evaluating a new hypervisor, consider total cost of ownership (TCO), compatibility with your existing hardware, and support for your most critical applications. It is also important to assess performance, scalability, ease of use, and how well the platform integrates with your broader IT ecosystem including backup, monitoring, and dashboard tools.
Making a change in your virtualization platform is a big decision and Iron Bow is here to support you. We offer free workshops pairing our subject matter experts with your team to analyze your environment, discuss potential pitfalls, and create a migration strategy and timeline that fits your needs. Contact us to get the ball rolling!
- James Rogers, Director of Data Center Modernization, Iron Bow Technologies
E-Rate, the federal program that provides internet and telecom discounts to eligible schools and libraries, is celebrating a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (USF). The ruling ensures continued access to critical connectivity for under-resourced communities and reinforces a national commitment to equitable education.
Source: Cisco - Public Funding News You Can Use - June 2025
Resource Center
Cut Virtualization Costs Without Cutting Corners
State and local governments and educational institutions face growing budget strain as virtualization providers raise licensing costs through bundling and eliminated discounts, eating into IT budgets and delaying innovation. We offer expert-led workshops to assess your environment, identify risks, and build a tailored migration plan.
As CMMC 2.0 reshapes cybersecurity expectations, defense contractors can’t afford to fall behind. Iron Bow helps you operationalize compliance with tailored services that minimize disruption and maximize security. Download our CMMC one-pager to stay competitive, compliant, and contract-ready.
This Virtualization eBook is a hands-on guide from Red Hat that helps IT teams deploy, manage, and migrate virtual machines on OpenShift’s unified container and platform. Download the Virtualization eBook to learn more.
Connect With Us
Contact Your SLED Account Manager 🤝
Email us at SLED@ironbow.com to get in touch with your Account Manager
