IBM readies smart city solution

PC World.

Such software may ultimately help governments save money and react to disasters more quickly, says Karen Parrish, IBM's VP of industry solutions.

According to the Vanguard, by infusing analytical insights into municipal operations through one central point of command, the solution enables cities to better anticipate problems, respond to crises, and manage resources.

The Intelligent Operations Centre for Smarter Cities, according to IBM, will allow cities to use information and analytics to make smarter and more timely decisions, helping local leaders manage a spectrum of events, both planned and unplanned.

This includes deploying water maintenance crews to repair pumps before they break, alerting fire crews to broken fire hydrants at an emergency scene, or anticipating traffic congestion, and preparing redirection scenarios.

The Intelligent Operations Centre for Smarter Cities also bundles a range of software components, including a database, application server (WebSphere), business rules engine (iLog), data integration and data management (various InfoSphere pieces), and business intelligence and real-time monitoring (Cognos), says InformationWeek.

By bringing everything together into a single product, which starts shipping later this month, IBM says it has made the technology easier to purchase and deploy.