Government agencies have seen an increased need for improving and developing their information technology landscapes. This is seen as a step to increase connectivity to the masses, simplify management of state/local resources and facilitate transparency. In 2009, governments have cost effectiveness, quality and productivity enhancement as a primary objective.

As a consequence of the financial crisis, there is great pressure to reduce cost of IT operations. Governments are hence looking at consolidation, virtualization, shared services, use of nonproprietary solutions and other cost-cutting actions to achieve this.