As one of the biggest users of ICT in New Zealand, it is fundamental that the government has forward thinking ICT policies in place for all of its agencies. The government’s recent paper Directions and Priorities for Government ICT sets out a cohesive approach to ICT utilisation that shows real leadership in how it will implement and use technology across the state sector. It’s also about time.A 2008 survey of government ICT use showed that the public sector’s annual $2 billion spend was fragmented, infrastructure was duplicated and that many agencies had not redesigned their business models to use online services for efficiency and productivity. This affects us all as business people and citizens. After all, it is not just public servants that use technology in government, but citizens, who are the ultimate end users of government ICT. The government therefore, should lead the way in using and implementing smart technology so that citizens and other industries can follow their scale. Think of government ICT infrastructure and systems as a nationwide network that links up agencies, businesses and citizens to the flow of information and services. The government sits atop a mountain of information that has significant creative and economic benefit to businesses and citizens alike.Part of the new direction and priorities for government is to follow the New Zealand Government Open Access and Licensing Framework (NZGOAL), which is a guide for State Service agencies to follow when releasing copyright works and non-copyright material for re-use by third parties. This has already culminated in the data.govt.nz website, which has freed up information for government departments, councils, businesses and the public. Imagine the new business that this could create for digital entrepreneurs, or how it could assist businesses with market research and development.There is also the important area of geo-spatial data. The Spatial Industry Business Association (SIBA) has articulated their vision of a spatial dividend for New Zealand that has quantifiable productivity and innovation benefits of over $1 billion.The government also aims to deliver integrated service delivery using lower cost online channels and phasing out other channels. We’re already seeing new services take shape such as the Ministry of Social Development’s ServiceLink or Custom’s Joint Border Management System (JBMS). This is great for end users of the technology, but it is also good for the New Zealand ICT industry as it fosters a fresh round of industry innovation to enable service delivery transformation. As suppliers of technology, we can only really run as fast as those who we supply.The government also aims to have what it calls ‘Common Capability’, where agencies use common ICT infrastructure services such as igovt, ONE.govt, IAAS and procurement. One of the key aspects of the new approach is that for the first time agencies will have to formally opt out of these arrangements, and be able to justify that decision, so we will see economies of scale at work. This does not necessarily indicate that there will be a great move to consolidate suppliers. There will be ample opportunity for smart, lithe companies to offer innovative technologies and services over this infrastructure. We are working closely with the government to ensure we maximise the opportunities for all companies to participate, and develop new procurement processes that lower the cost of sales for all parties.And lastly, the government is looking for more efficiency with agencies managing ICT using common processes where possible and tailored processes where necessary. This will involve early engagement with the ICT industry to enable collective problem solving, which will assist with the industry’s collective time and resources. It should also mean, down the track, that the cost of sale for suppliers should decrease as agencies become more cohesive and clear on what services they seek from the industry. As the group that represents the ICT industry, NZICT will continue to engage with the government over this and will keep you, as the industry, informed on any updates.
