The cloud is transformative not only in its approach to delivering services but also in its ability to reimagine how services are delivered. That means that as software developers, you can now locate the information in the appropriate location, where it can be safeguarded accordingly for privacy or security, or even from a compliance perspective. So you can serve up the fancy graphics, perhaps, from a public cloud service, because everyone is comfortable with having that video showing Parliament Hill, with the flag waving, and with being served from a server that is closest to the constituent. They want to rely upon the departmental safeguards that are there to control those services.
Certainly, we've seen some great initiatives being started in the federal government around consolidating services and shared services, with a monumental approach to bringing together departments. There are 44 departments and agencies looking at sharing services such as e-mail, data centres, and having that consistent approach to network services. We see those starts happening as departments and agencies look at breaking down those cylinders of excellence, looking at where there are common services across the board and being able to deliver the services that Canadians expect.
It's interesting that when you start to look at some of those scenarios you mentioned, there are things that Canadians can take advantage of when you look across different business lines. For example, it seems deceivingly easy to have one common name and address. When you think of someone who's moving, changing jobs, or relocating, you have a forwarding address—or perhaps a snowbird is off to another region.
Not all programs or services accommodate all of those different idiosyncrasies. The trick is to combine those services where it makes sense, and then add that value on a per service basis.