Code, Edge and Core: Building the Future of State and Local IT

State and local governments are under increasing pressure to modernize their IT systems, deliver faster and more reliable digital services and ensure the security of sensitive data. At the heart of these modernization efforts lies code — the driving force that powers applications, automates workflows and enables digital transformation. Surrounding this code are the infrastructures of edge computing and core systems, both of which must work together to create seamless, efficient and scalable public sector services.

Code powers the digital experience, driving everything from mobile applications used to pay bills to tools that support preventive actions. For state and local governments, a well-structured, efficient code is essential to create user-friendly solutions and help meet the needs of citizens.

Government agencies might rely on legacy systems with outdated programming languages and monolithic architectures. These code bases are often difficult to maintain, prone to security vulnerabilities and unable to scale with growing demands. Today’s challenge is to move beyond those limitations by embracing modern coding practices that leverage cloud-native development, microservices and automation.

In essence, code sets the tone for citizen experience. And when paired with edge and core technologies, its potential multiplies. Here are some key benefits of modern code practices to keep in mind:

1. Scalability and flexibility: Modular, cloud-ready code allows agencies to quickly adjust to spikes in demand, such as during emergencies or high-traffic events such as elections.
2. Improved security: Code audits, secure coding frameworks, and development, security and operations (DevSecOps) practices ensure vulnerabilities are detected early and patched quickly.
3. Faster innovation: Using agile development, application programming interface (APIs) and low-code/no-code platforms, state and local teams can rapidly prototype and deploy citizen services.
4. Cost efficiency: Optimized code reduces resource consumption, resulting in lower infrastructure costs and better allocation of taxpayer dollars.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an essential tool for enhancing the quality of code in the public sector IT environments. AI assessments can help automatically scan for vulnerabilities, inefficiencies and potential bugs in your code. Identifying these risks before they turn into impending security breaches can help ensure performance optimization.

Additionally, AI can assist developers to automate repetitive tasks, offering code suggestions and prioritizing fixes based on potential impact. State and local agencies can benefit greatly from AI assessments to help deliver secure and reliable services quickly while also strengthening cybersecurity and team productivity.

Edge computing plays a crucial role in supporting modern state and local IT by moving computing power closer to where data is generated and consumed. This reduces latency, improves performance and allows code to deliver faster results in real-time scenarios.

For example, consider a city deploying smart traffic lights or Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled water meters. Instead of sending all the data to a centralized core system for processing, edge devices can run code locally to analyze patterns, detect anomalies and respond instantly. This is particularly valuable for applications where every millisecond counts, such as emergency response systems or real-time surveillance.

• Lightweight applications: Code can be optimized for edge devices to handle real-time analytics or localized decision-making.
• AI and ML models: Pre-trained machine learning (ML) models can run on edge devices, allowing tasks such as facial recognition or license plate scanning to occur at the source.
• Reduced bandwidth usage: Edge code processes data locally before transmitting only necessary insights to the core, saving both time and cost.

For state and local agencies, this combination of code and edge computing offers new ways to enhance efficiency and citizen satisfaction. Whether it’s a mobile app that tracks buses in real time or smart sensors that detect hazardous conditions, the edge ensures services run smoothly and reliably.

While edge computing brings data processing closer to the user, the core infrastructure, centralized data centers and cloud environments, remains the backbone of state and local IT operations. This is where most of the data storage, heavy computational tasks and large-scale applications reside.

Code must be designed with the core in mind. Applications running on core systems often require robust integration with databases, security layers and other services. For example, a local government’s digital payment platform might process transactions on edge devices, but the core is responsible for managing financial records, ensuring compliance and securing sensitive citizen data.

• Cloud-native development: By writing code optimized for hybrid or multicloud environments, governments can leverage the scalability and resilience of modern data centers.
• Microservices and containers: These allow for modular code deployment, reducing downtime and improving manageability.
• Data security and compliance: Code deployed at the core must adhere to strict guidelines such as the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security policy or HIPAA, ensuring citizen data remains protected.
• Analytics and big data: Core systems handle the heavy lifting of analyzing vast amounts of data collected by edge devices, feeding insights back into applications and services.

Together, edge and core complement each other, and code orchestrates how they interact to provide seamless services.

Modernizing IT with code, edge and core isn’t without challenges. Many state and local agencies face budget constraints, skill gaps and the difficulty of integrating new code with legacy systems. Here are five best practices:

1. Invest in developer training: Empowering IT teams with modern coding skills (Python, Go, cloud SDKs) ensures faster innovation.
2. Adopt DevSecOps: Integrating security directly into the development pipeline helps prevent vulnerabilities before deployment.
3. Leverage open APIs: Using open standards and APIs allows code to bridge edge and core seamlessly.
4. Pilot edge solutions: Start small by testing edge code on IoT or mobile applications before scaling citywide.
5. Partner with experts: Collaborating with technology partners such as CDW Government can help agencies design, implement and manage robust code, edge and core strategies.

As the digital needs of citizens evolve, state and local governments must embrace a holistic approach to IT modernization. By focusing on these elements, governments can build citizen-centric solutions that are not only efficient but also capable of delivering the next generation of public services.

CDW Government can help you properly set up these elements into your IT system. Our experts will guide you from beginning to end and help you choose the best options for your agency. Whether it’s automating workflows, improving real-time response or ensuring the highest levels of security, the path forward starts with CDW Government.