S t a t e I n f o r m a t i o n T e c h n o l o g y A g e n c y

ICT AS AN ENABLER TO IMPROVE SERVICE

DELIVERY

with special reference to the role of free open surce software (FOSS)

To the Sixth Batho Pele Learning Network

By Arno WebbProgramme Manager: SITA Free Open Source Software Programme Office

11 October 2007

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THEME

ICT proved to be an enabler in a number of cases. What must we do

to multiply that number?

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ICT successes as an enablerSuccess stories

Government payrollBooking systems (travel, accommodation, events) Financial transctions (teller machines, taxation) MobilityFree open source software (FOSS)

Successes in the making2010 Soccer World CupeNATISFOSS in SA government

More successes neededSecond economyBridging the digital divide

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FOSS progress

The past

The present

The future

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The past

FOSS provided quality back-end software.User interfaces were unfriendly at first, but has now developed significantly.Applications were often not developed for redistribution and were then not well supported.

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The present

FOSS has matured. Many government and business organisations are migrating.Support capacity is the most cited impediment.Concerns about security can be allayed.There is a growing number of success stories.

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Whether through profit margins, spreading the technology to areas thought well outside its reach ... or just simply generating greater public awareness, the success of this truly world-changing technology is everywhere.

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SOME FOSS Success stories*:Oregon Department of Human ServicesOregon Department of Human Services

The service provider needed a CRM put into place quickly, due to new HIPAA regulations in electronic billing. Believe it or not, Oregon DHS was sold on the idea when an IT engineer surfed the internet, found open-source SugarCRM, downloaded it onto a laptop and showed it around the department the next day. After “a couple of days” configuring, Oregon DHS went live with the system via the same laptop.

* From: 50 Open Source success stories in Business, Education, and Government, CRMchump, http://www.crmchump.org/2006/10/in_a_world_wher.html

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SOME FOSS Success stories:Moodle

In academia land, one of the more popular forms of open-source is the system known as Moodle. London, UK-based The Open University is currently in the midst of implementing Moodle to the end result of “the largest use of Moodle in the world,” namely a complete student online environment. Moodle is currently employed in some aspects of Open’s distance-learning program.

Meanwhile, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Education has now in place a full-on “MoodleService”, which acts as supplement to course material available to College of Education faculty and students and a resource to other university workgroups, workshop participants and communities.

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SOME FOSS success stories:ThinkCycle

Wouldn’t you know it; those kids at MIT were out in front quick in open source, too. Way back in March 2000, a group of graduate students in the MIT Media Lab crafted the idea to “create a database, accessible over the Web, that would enable ‘open source’ problem solving among university students and communities in the developing world.” (Note the quotes around “open source” from a 2002 blog entry.) ThinkCycle was born from this group, and built on open source tools such as Linux and the ArsDigita Community System, still exists today as a leading open-source community.

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SOME FOSS SUCCESS STORIESFOSS in filmmaking

Would you believe open source made possible the films Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and V for Vendetta? There’s an interesting piece in UK-based The Business’ online edition. While you probably know that a great deal of special effects are created on computer, firms like The Moving Picture Company have been able to go from fly-by-night organization to a top post-production company London and back to one of many competitors, thanks in part to Linux and open source technology.

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The future

FOSS the preferred model of software development and implementation?Proprietary software providers may adapt their business models

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FOSS is well placed to succeed

In a world where everything technological is overhyped, the word “revolution” is thrown about easily, with declaring the latest electronic toy or fly-by-night software advance “earth-moving” seemingly a race among media outlets and advertising venues.

The sobriquet is often applied to open source technology as well, but

this stuff may actually deserve the title.

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Context

Technology is only one of several enablers. An initiative with excellent technology can fail if another enabler is absent.Enablers include -

Scale and significance of value to be addedClarity of action to be taken to develop & implementCapacity requiredSupport requiredIdentifying risks and strategies to address them.

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Value added

Value from all environments:PoliticalEconomicTechnologicalSocialEnvironmental

Value for all stakeholders:ManagementICT technical staffBusiness process operators Clients

It may be sufficient to demonstrate value for one environment only,

but the value must address the needs and wants of most stakeholders.

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Action to be taken

Clarity about -whatwhenwherewhowhyhow

Progress must be monitoredCriteria for certifying success must be known in advance.

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Capacity

Funding streamsHR with the full spectrum of skills requiredAppropriate technologyKnowledge and informationFacilitiesProcessesPolicies, rules regulationsStructuresWork in progress

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Support

LeadershipCultureChange management

See →Believe→Commit→Achieve

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Risk

Avoid

Address

Ignore

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The range of challenges for enabling technology

Escaping the poverty trapAchieving intergroup harmonyArresting/Reversing global warming

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The poverty trap (cycle of no expectation)

No jobNo incomePovertySqualid lifestyleNo hopeMiss out on educationNo skillsNo innovation

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The poverty trap: Countermeasures

No jobNo incomePovertySqualid lifestyleNo hopeMiss out on educationNo skillsNo innovation

Job creationGrantsWelfre schemesSocial serviceCommunicatingImproved educationFETSMME promotion

ICT must make a contribution to each of the countermeasures. Perhaps more important is its role in

overall coordination.

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Intergroup harmony

From intergroup isolation to ...KnowledgeUnderstandingCompassionOutreach

Prerequisite: Communication systemsManagement information systems

Programme management systems

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Countering global warming

Industrial/production technologyTraveling habitsDwelling construction

Energy efficiencyICT enhanced homes

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The ICT response

• Industrial/production technology

• Traveling habits

Dwelling construction– Energy efficiency– ICT enhanced.

• Smarter production, with increased ICT involvement.

• More and more sophisticated teleconfrencing.

• Better climate control• More capacity for

“tele…”

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Partnerships as a response to the challenges

The partnersGovernmentBusinessLabourCivil society

ICT is an important enablerFOSS to be used to ensure proper communication and liaison through universal access.

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FOSS initiatives needed

Capacity buildingSkills

technicians retraininginternships/learnershipslearners at school

FundingRequired as seed money

Support and development structuresVisioning

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Thank You

Q & A

There is nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come.Victor Hugo