On Thursday, September 1st, the Center for Public Policy Innovation (CPPI) hosted its 2nd annual tour of Northern Virginia’s Technology Corridor. During the daylong event, congressional staff members interacted with executives from four world-renown companies: Dell, Neustar, Oracle and Visa. These companies are more than just industry leaders, they are also respected thought leaders dedicated to helping federal, state, and local officials craft good public policy in the areas of cloud computing, communications, cyber security, and privacy, among others.

The educational tour gave staff members an opportunity to learn more about these innovative companies, see the technology firsthand, and engage in substantive discussions on network security, economic competitiveness, government efficiency, and cloud computing, among other areas of interest.

Staff members on the tour were representative of a range of committees, including Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Judiciary, and House Science, Space and Technology; Judiciary; and Energy and Commerce. Very satisfied with the experience, staff members said they were eager to participate in future CPPI tours.

Sarah Jackson, Vice President of Applications Sales Consulting for North America Public Sector , Oracle

Oracle Customer Visit Center- Reston, VA

Oracle provides the world's most complete, open and integrated business software and hardware systems, with more than 370,000 customers- including 100 of the Fortune 100- representing a variety of sizes and industries in more than 145 countries around the globe.

The United States government is Oracle's number one customer, and on the tour staff members met with Sarah Jackson, Vice President of Applications Sales Consulting for North America Public Sector, to discuss the many ways Oracle is working to improve government efficiency. During the tour of Oracle's Visitor Center, Aaron Cornfeld, the Senior Director Solutions Specialist for the Public Sector, gave an informative presentation on cloud computing and provided staff members with a firsthand look at some of the company's innovative solutions. (Click here to see Oracle in action).

Neustar Network Operations Center (NOC)

Neustar Network Operations Center and Corporate Headquarters- Sterling, VA
Neustar was originally founded in 1996 to meet the many technical and operational challenges that arose when the United States Government mandated local number portability. Today, Neustar provides essential services that enable trusted communication across networks, applications, and businesses around the world.

During the tour, staff members were briefed on the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which Neustar operates, as well as the data base that allows for local number portability for both wireline and wireless numbers. Neustar also offers a variety of products to protect sites from cyber attacks. Its Text Everywhere service will allow users to use their wireline telephone number to send and receive SMS messages on any internet connected devices and applications. UltraViolet will allow media providers to make content available in the cloud, so customers can access their content on any registered device. In the lobby, staffers were greeted by a giant Green Lantern display- the movie will be the first ever launched by Ultraviolet. (Click here to learn more about UltraViolet)

Robert Douthit, Executive Director, Dell Industry Solutions

Dell Solution Center- Herndon, VA

Dell Solution Centers are a global network of dedicated state-of-the-art technical labs equipped to meet business objectives and solve IT issues through powerful solution engagements. The Dell team at the Herndon center focuses on solutions for e-government and federal customers. More than ever, IT is expected to move the government forward while increasing transparency and efficiency.

Dell has mapped out a strategy for IT transformation that includes simplifying cost and complexity, modernizing to deliver greater efficiency, and innovating to accelerate transformation. Dell's interactive stations gave staff members an opportunity to experience the company's solutions for different areas of interest, including: education, health care and first responders.

Tammy Greeves, Visa Business Leader

Visa Data Center-Ashburn, VA

Visa, Inc. is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, banks and governments in more than 200 countries and territories, enabling them to use digital currency instead of cash and checks. Governments across the world have switched to digital currency instead of checks for benefits payments and purchasing in order to increase efficiency and lower costs, saving taxpayers money. Staff members were offered a rare look inside Visa's Ashburn Data Center, one of only three in the world. Visa has built one of the most advanced processing networks ever, capable of handling more than 20,000 transactions per second. (Click here to see how Visa continues to innovate in ways that improve the everyday lives of people globally).