Looks like there’s a big review ongoing in the way that the IW Council uses computers and technology more generally.
There’s a 31 page document that’s available to be read by everyone, giving an overview of the wide-ranging proposed changes, including headings for some of the monies that they’re planning to spend over the coming years, totalling around £5 million.
The doc aims to inform the decision on how to proceed, which will be made soon under delegated powers – ie not debated publicly.
Reading it through you get the impression that the IT there has been left to stagnate over the years and it needs a shot in the arm to get it back up to par.
There’s lots in the doc, so we’ve had a quick flick through it and picked up a few bits that are below.
Any Tech Islanders have comment?
The Island is a hotspot for technical tuned-up people, so given this, it would be really interesting to hear what you all think of it.
Couple of bits from the document that we didn’t know already …
+ There’s a move to reduce the amount of power — and in turn CO2 emissions — that the council uses running their computers.
+ The council is making moves to try and ensure that IW Council data and documents are made more secure when they leave offices, by encrypting information on USB memory sticks, laptops, etc.
+ “The IOW Council wishes to locate staff and public facing services in fewer, but strategically placed and appropriately refurbished locations”
– Sounds like the IW Council is planning on reducing the number of offices they have.
+ “Joint Head of ICT post – look into the possibilities of a joint post with NHS by April 2009.”
– One person may be responsible for the technology for both the IW Council and the IW heath authority.
+ “During the summer of 2008, SOCITM (Society of ICT Managers) carried out an independent peer review of the ICT Service. The report said that the service was about average in comparison with other organisations and has recommended a number of actions to improve (see Appendix 1 for Action plan). A copy of this report is available on request.”
– Sounds like there’s room for improvement in ICT – “service was about average” – so it’s encouraging that a new way of approaching things is being discussed.
Have a read of it for yourself
image of much loved tech history: eurleif
