IBM has worked with the California Department of Technology to create CalCloud, a technology model powered by cloud computing to build and deliver more innovative government services and savings.

CalCloud is available to municipalities and all state and local government agencies on a subscription basis.

IBM and the California Department of Technology claim this platform is the first of its kind to be implemented in the US at state level.

Through CalCloud the California Department of Technology said it will provide next-generation tools that offer access to IT services at the rapid pace its customers demand while minimizing upfront capital investment and controlling financial risk.

IBM will be supplying and managing CalCloud’s infrastructure and will work closely with the state to transfer essential knowledge and best practices in security and systems integration to the California Department of Technology  - which will manage all other aspects of the platform.

The department said instead of separate IT systems for each department, CalCloud allows government entities to share a 'common pool' of computing resources and operate more efficiently than they do today.

It said by providing immediate access to back-end services it will free up state departments so they can focus on projects with direct impact on the public.

Government Operations Agency secretary Marybel Batjer said the CalCloud platform provides an important step towards faster, cost effective IT services to California state departments and California’s citizens.

According to the department more than 20 state departments have already requested IT services through the CalCloud platform.

Through CalCloud state and local government will have the ability to buy only the computing resources needed with the flexibility to quickly scale up or scale down resources as workloads demand.

The platform is designed to allow around the clock access to a shared pool of easily configurable resources including compute, storage, network and disaster recovery services.

IBM and the Department of Technology said CalCloud meets stringent security standards based on National Institute of Standards for cloud based services and the government-wide program FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program).

IBM Global Technology Services SVP Erich Clementi said by transforming how the State of California delivers technology services it is not only more efficient and cost effective but it will spur innovation with cloud capabilities that are open and secure.

“California is setting an example for other states on how to use cloud technology to improve coordination across agencies and municipalities while reducing the barriers and duplication that can impede the delivery of government services,” Clementi said.