PROVIDENCE – Rep. Brian C. Newberry, R-North Smithfield, this month introduced two bills on government computing, including one to create a study commission to determine the state’s potential savings in adopting and converting to virtualized, cloud-based computing. The other would authorize the Department of Administration to incorporate virtual cloud-based technologies so that agencies can obtain maximum effectiveness in the management of public resources.

Newberry’s bills would expand the R.I. Department of Administration’s authority over fostering compatible information systems in state agencies to include virtual cloud-based technology.

“This technology already exists and is being used selectively by various state agencies,” Newberry said. “All departments need to get on board and into the 21st century.

According to a statement, the study commission would determine the current technology usage among the various state agencies and will determine the appropriate cost savings through consolidation at the R.I. Department of Information Technology Server Facility and virtualization of current server systems. •