Doing Business To Be More `Convenient' With IT Tools
By Debbie Too

Bandar Seri Begawan - Like in most other countries, people who transact with government agencies have to fill out forms and writing their names and other vital information many times over. But not for long.

Microsoft is offering a solution to His Majesty's Government, which will connect the databases of government agencies. This information technology solution will allow agencies to access each other's files, including transactions with the public.

"Microsoft has the technology to plan the approach and technology to solve interoperability problems and help provide seamless citizen services," said James Whittred, the solution architect of the Asia Regional Public Sector of the Microsoft Team.

An estimated 50 key representatives from the ministries attended a seminar on "Interoperability and Connected Government" held yesterday by Microsoft at the Sheraton Utama Hotel in Bandar Seri Begawan. Minister of Communication Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj AwgAbu Bakar Hj Apong was the guest of honour.

The solution also addresses problems related to the setting up of new enterprises and businessmen complying with government regulations.

If an individual sets up a business, for example, he or she has to inform various departments about his or her income, get the health department's approval and inspection, conform to the labour and work place safety regulations, deal with the immigration about work permits and so on.

The individual would find himself filling out form after form, mostly the same information, and there would be redundancy between departments.

The whole process can take a number of months to complete. This scenario, may be an analogy but it is surprisingly common, according to Microsoft.

The solution to this common problem would be to enable the various departments to "interoperate", share and consolidate information, while offering citizens access to e-services in a citizen's point of view aligned with their needs, rather than with that of the provider. This is what Microsoft's Connected Government Framework (CGF) is about.

Whittred has worked on a number of high profile mission such as the Australia Business Names Register, providing both architectural design skills together with lifecycle and development implementation mentoring. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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