AWS Public Sector Blog

Category: Public Sector

Decrease geospatial query latency from minutes to seconds using Zarr on Amazon S3

Decrease geospatial query latency from minutes to seconds using Zarr on Amazon S3

Geospatial data, including many climate and weather datasets, are often released by government and nonprofit organizations in compressed file formats such as the Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) or GRIdded Binary (GRIB). As the complexity and size of geospatial datasets continue to grow, it is more time- and cost-efficient to leave the files in one place, virtually query the data, and download only the subset that is needed locally. Unlike legacy file formats, the cloud-native Zarr format is designed for virtual and efficient access to compressed chunks of data saved in a central location such as Amazon S3. In this walkthrough, learn how to convert NetCDF datasets to Zarr using an Amazon SageMaker notebook and an AWS Fargate cluster and query the resulting Zarr store, reducing the time required for time series queries from minutes to seconds.

Using machine learning to customize your nonprofit’s direct mailings

Many organizations perform direct mailings, designed to support fundraising or assist with other efforts to help further the organization’s mission. Direct mailing workflows can use everything from a Microsoft Word mail merge to utilizing a third-party mailing provider. By leveraging the power of the cloud, organizations can take advantage of capabilities that might otherwise be out of reach, like customized personalization at scale. In this walkthrough, learn how organizations can utilize machine learning (ML) personalization techniques with AWS to help drive better outcomes on their direct mailing efforts.

Georgia DHS establishes a cloud strategy through a multiyear modernization journey

Georgia’s Department of Human Services (DHS), the largest of the state’s agencies, was able to digitally transform their business and rapidly scale their AWS Cloud adoption with AWS Managed Services (AMS). The department used AMS to modernize legacy technology onto a hosted platform that meets rigorous security guidelines and adds reliability to an environment where speed and availability are critical. At re:Invent 2022, Sreeji Vijayan, chief information officer of the Georgia DHS, spoke about the Georgia DHS’s migration journey with AWS. Learn key takeaways from Georgia DHS’s migration experience with AWS, and watch the on-demand session to dive deeper.

New research for public sector CIOs as they prepare for digital assets

Public sector regulatory agencies are at an inflection point as digital assets have emerged in the private sector in the form of cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). To inform this process, AWS has collaborated with industry analyst firm, Constellation Research, to write a new research report available to the public. “The CIO Imperative for Digital Assets in the Public Sector” presents an exploration of the requisite topics to get CIOs and their teams up-to-speed and ready for this journey.

33 new or updated datasets on the Registry of Open Data for Earth Day and more

The AWS Open Data Sponsorship Program makes high-value, cloud-optimized datasets publicly available on AWS. Through this program, customers are making over 100PB of high-value, cloud-optimized data available for public use. As April 22 is Earth Day, the AWS Open Data team wanted to highlight some new datasets from our geospatial and environmental communities of practice, as well as the other new or updated datasets available now on the Registry of Open Data on AWS and also discoverable on AWS Data Exchange.

How two UK customers use AWS to support sustainability goals

Sustainability is now an integral part of business strategy, even as the sustainability landscape is continuously evolving. At the AWS Public Sector Day 2023 held in London, public sector leaders gathered to learn and share how technology can help organisations achieve more with less in solving sustainability challenges. Two AWS customers shared how they’re rethinking traditional operations and innovating with the cloud to support their sustainability initiatives.

Pictured: Student writes in a notebook from the AWS Fiber Optic Splicing Course.

AWS skills training programs open doors to tech careers for Virginia workers

In Virginia, where AWS has an important and growing presence, AWS is investing significantly in supporting skills and education programs to promote a thriving workforce. The AWS Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Certificate Course is one of the programs AWS runs locally to help individuals get the skills necessary to repair and install fiber optic cables. Recently, AWS held a training at the AWS Skills Center in Arlington in collaboration with Northern Virginia Community College. Learn more about how programs like these are supporting the local workforce in Virginia.

New IDC whitepaper: How cloud drives government outcomes at scale and supports compliance with security requirements

A new IDC whitepaper explores how, with cloud, US federal agencies can achieve meaningful digital innovation while addressing their mission needs. As more agencies migrate applications and workloads to the cloud, including their most sensitive and heavily regulated data, a key consideration is meeting federal compliance and security mandates.

AWS selects 13 startups for the 2023 AWS Space Accelerator

AWS announced the 13 global space startups selected to participate in the 2023 AWS Space Accelerator, a technical, business, and mentorship program to help startups advance their space solutions and accelerate their growth using the cloud. These startups are developing inspiring and innovative solutions that address various challenges associated with space sustainability. From 3D-printed space vehicles to orbital robots, satellite solutions built on artificial intelligence (AI), and space-based initiatives that can help us better use Earth’s valuable resources, these emerging startups are leveraging AWS as they develop the next generation of exciting space technology.

Addressing the top 10 priorities of state CIOs with AWS

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) recently released the 2023 report of the top 10 priorities of state chief information officers (CIOs) for strategies, management processes, and solutions. AWS works closely NASCIO and with state and local leaders across the US to develop solutions that address these top 10 needs. Explore these top 10 priorities and how state and local leaders can use AWS to support them.