Cisco launches new solutions to specifically help legislatures, judicial systems

Technology company Cisco has announced two new solutions to help governments across the world adapt to new circumstances broguth on by the coronavirus pandemic.

The global health crisis has forced many governments to provide services and conduct policymaking operations virtually, according to a Cisco news release. Over 50 percent of government workers now expect to work remotely eight or more days per month, according to an October 2020 Cisco survey.

Announced at the Cisco Partner Summit Digital on Oct. 28, Cisco’s new Connected Justice solution and Webex Legislate solution are designed to help public servants in these fields with adapting to the new normal in 2020, according to the release. Through them, virtual government services can be delivered across multiple platforms to increase efficiencies. Amid these new offerings, Cisco’s Public Funding Office has expanded to help partners and customers find funding sources.

“COVID-19 has changed the way government operates, but this doesn’t mean their critical functions should waver or skip a beat… Our goal is to enable these public servants to continue their critical duties as seamlessly as they once could – regardless of where they do it.” Cisco Vice President of the Global Public Sector Cassie Roach told American City & County in an email interview.

Cisco Connected Justice

Cisco’s Connected Justice solution is, “the first standards-based video solution to deliver comprehensive, connected professional services to courts, correctional facilities and community corrections,” according to the news release.

The program offers support to three separate areas of the justice system. “Cisco worked with partners Cloverhound and TRACKtech to provide customized connected solutions aligned with the three pillars of justice: courts, corrections, and community supervision,” Roach says.

For courtrooms, Connected Justice creates a safe and secure environment for courtroom participants with real-time video, according to the news release. It also lets courts hold virtual hearings with a docket dashboard that identifies a virtual lobby and side rooms. It also gives support for managing hybrid courts.

The product also gives correctional facilities virtual visitation services with a simplified workflow and offers remote access to court appearances, telehealth services and distance learning, per the release.

A mobile advanced supervision and integrated case management solution from Cisco partner TRACKtech will help government agencies lower recidivism, according to the release. Connected Justice also simplifies the delivery of essential support services.

“Cisco’s Connected Justice solution spans across the judicial system. It provides a wide range of customizable functionality within courtrooms, correctional facilities and communities worldwide,” Roach says.

Webex Legislate

Webex Legislate extends the security and privacy features of Cisco’s Webex product, while also offering tools tailored to legislators, per the news release. The company worked with its legislative customers to understand lawmaker, staff and IT personnel needs when creating the system, according to Roach.

“What makes Webex Legislate different is that it can mimic the rules and processes of a traditional, in-person legislative gathering,” Roach said. “The solution includes secure participant verification and authentication, and supports common roles such as participants, moderators and administrators.”

The product specifically offers video conferencing and a dashboard that lets legislatures debate, vote using customized voting features and hold side conversations in secure sidebar rooms. Moderators are also given the ability to completely customize Webex Legislate to fit a legislature’s unique rules of procedure.

“There are so many unique activities in both legislative and judicial bodies that can be easily replicated in a secure, digital environment,” Roach says. ”Cisco understands that not every legislator and courtroom employee is expected to be an IT expert, and we’ve kept this in mind when developing these solutions.”