MeriTalk announced the results of its Do It Yourself (DIY) Federal IT Bailout Report, identifying billions of dollars in potential Federal IT savings. Examining a three-year spending snapshot, the report identifies potential savings from Open Source, Virtualization, and Cloud Computing/Software as a Service (SaaS).

Potential savings included:

• $3.7B from Open Source
• $13.3B from Virtualization, and
• $6.6B from Cloud Computing/SaaS.

President Obama's administration is redefining IT's role in developing a 21st-century government - from agency investments and management agendas to healthcare, public safety, and energy policy initiatives. While the promise for IT to drive change is exciting, the budget reality is brutal. Without new funds, IT needs to generate its own funding by changing the economics of existing programs.

Stretching Uncle Sam's Dollar

"As Federal agencies prepare to tighten their IT-budget belts, it is paramount that each and every IT investment be justifiable in supporting the agencies' missions and service to American citizens," said Peter Tseronis, deputy associate chief information officer, Department of Energy. "The DIY Federal IT Bailout Report and the May 21 Federal IT on a Budget Forum focus on how Federal government executives can reduce the cost of sustaining IT programs and thereby free up funds for critical new IT investments."

The full DIY Federal IT Bailout Report, conducted by MeriTalk and underwritten by DLT Solutions and Red Hat is available for download.