Pittsburgh moves to cloud-based services powered by Google

Pittsburgh officials say they will save money and better service employees and residents by using cloud-based technology from Google for its computer programs.

The city announced a new four-year deal with Google Cloud to power its information technology platforms for about $4 million. The deal was approved in December by City Council. On Monday, the city said it was in the process of migrating from in-house servers to the Google Cloud network.

The idea is to save money and improve the online services the city uses for residents, said Molly Onufer, Mayor Bill Peduto’s assistant communications director.

If they see a need for a new online application, any of the city’s departments can work with the city’s Department of Innovation and Performance, whose staffers will be trained by Google to develop something that will be cloud-based. They’ll be able to do so more quickly that using traditional in-house servers and programs, Onufer said.

Google’s technology impressed Heidi Norman, acting director of the city’s Department of Innovation and Performance, last year when the city moved some of its storage to the cloud, she said in a statement.

“Ultimately, this migration will save city employees time and allow us to better deliver resident services,” Norman said.

Google, which has offices in Bakery Square, has worked with the city for months on the program, Onufer said. Google will provide technical support, she said.

Google, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., is using the partnership with the city as a pilot program for how it can work with other cities on cloud-based systems, Onufer said.

“The city’s approach, powered by our technology, will open many opportunities to reimagine how to serve citizens, now and into the future,” said Mike Daniels, vice president of the Global Public Sector for Google Cloud.