NSW GOVERNMENT DRAFT ICT STRATEGY PLAN. AIIA Response

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1 NSW GOVERNMENT DRAFT ICT STRATEGY PLAN AIIA Response 22 December 2011

2 INTRODUCTION The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) is the peak national body representing suppliers and providers of a wide range of information technology and communications (ICT) products and services. Its membership comprises approximately 400 of the top international corporations as well as small to medium enterprises currently supplying innovative online applications which drive productivity across the Australian economy and enhance the citizen engagement with all governments. AIIA s National Board of Directors includes all the major corporations such as Intel, RIM, Microsoft, Telstra, Google, IBM, and Fujitsu, as well as small business organisations such as Smartnet. AIIA has long advocated for recognition by governments of the role that ICT can play in transforming the Australian economy and delivering increased productivity to businesses in all economic sectors. We welcome the NSW Government s prompt move toward drafting a Whole of Government ICT Strategy for the State; AIIA members doing business in NSW have been involved in advocacy programs for the ICT industry across a range of governments and AIIA s NSW members represent the majority by number and size of the association s total membership. AIIA COMMENTS At the outset AIIA would like to make three suggestions for inclusion in the final Strategy which do not appear in the draft. i) A commitment to early engagement with ICT suppliers in a pre-competitive environment similar to that which takes place with the UK Government under the rubric of Concept Viability will ensure more appropriate outcomes for government. AIIA has already facilitated this engagement with the federal government in the tele-working area and the outcomes have been welcomed by agencies and the industry alike. AIIA is happy to share this experience with DFS as part of the finalisation of this ICT Strategy. ii) AIIA welcomes the efforts of the NSW government to improve Procure IT in close consultation with the industry. This work has been ongoing for several years and recent progress has been effective. However, the need for official communication via a Premier s Memorandum, discussed with AIIA in 2011, remains critical; unless this is forthcoming successful adoption of Procure IT by the industry will be compromised. 2

3 iii) The South Australian government last year announced specific percentage targets for the adoption of ICT via online commerce. AIIA recommends this approach as a viable implementation strategy that will drive uptake and deliver results. The SA Strategic Plan now includes a target of increasing the proportion of businesses that receive orders online from 24 per cent today to 40 per cent in 2014, with a commitment to continued increases up to This is an exemplary way to diversify the economy, maximise competitiveness, grow revenues and increase productivity in any state government and we strongly urge the NSW government to consider a similar approach. Implementation of the draft s clear intention to improve engagement with the ICT industry while supporting industry development opportunities will be key to the success of the Strategy. The draft mentions Working Groups to be established and it is essential that these groups include AIIA representatives from NSW to ensure appropriate industry coverage. More detail about how these groups will be chosen and managed is required, since the draft contains little information about this aspect of the Strategy. We support the Whole of Government approach outlined in the Strategy, as this will deliver cost efficiencies to all agencies and other stakeholders. AIIA requests further clarification of the details behind the new portfolio approach to ICT at page 3; efforts to reduce duplication and improve productivity are welcome but there is no indication in the draft as to precisely how this will be achieved. The key service capability outlined in the draft of Providing services anytime anywhere aligns with the rapid development of mobility offerings in the market and points to recognition of an increasingly converged environment; while we support this capability direction, we again urge the Government to work with industry in a consultative manner through the Work Groups, to clarify how optimisation of convergence will be achieved. The draft points to increased use of information and data management practices that facilitate sharing which indicates the potential use of cloud solutions. AIIA has extensive capabilities in the 3

4 cloud policy and regulatory environments, and we would urge the Government to consult closely with AIIA on the benefits and capabilities of cloud solutions as part of the Strategy. A Whole of Government approach to the uptake of cloud is crucial to its success in delivering benefits. AIIA s National Cloud Taskforce engages regularly with AGIMO s Cloud Information Community (CLIC) and attends every second CLIC meeting. NSW representation on the CLIC is noted and provides a good opportunity for closer consultation between the NSW Government and AIIA regarding this important potential platform to achieve cost savings and higher productivity for government agencies. The proposed development of ICT Investment Principles in support of procurement decisions will obviously form a criterion in ICT supplier and solution selection process. An outline of the principles is listed on page 17 and includes concepts such as public value, sustainability and open standards. As part of industry s RFT Responses and Proposals there will now be a requirement to develop standard statements which address how Solutions meet these Investment Principles (once they are finalised). Unless the Government works with industry to clarify precisely what these Principles will cover, additional costs will be placed on industry to respond and this is contrary to declared Government objectives and industry needs. AIIA urges early consultation on this issue. AN EXAMPLE OF ICT STRATEGIC PLANNING AIIA has worked continuously with the Victorian State Government over recent years to ensure ICT industry needs are recognised through that Government s Strategic Plan. Released in 2011, Victoria s Technology Plan for the Future provides concrete and substantial implementation action plans and funding to drive increased industry growth and capabilities, while improving service delivery in business, the community and government alike. The Victorian plan covers two action areas: 4

5 1. Capability development - working closely with Victoria s small technologies providers and companies to ensure that the right conditions exist in Victoria to support the growth of internationally competitive and recognised small technologies businesses and capabilities. 2. Small technologies enabled innovation - working with industry and the public sector to enable existing and emerging small technologies to be integrated into commercial applications, products and processes that will support innovation and competitiveness in a broad range of Victorian businesses. AIIA particularly supports key components of the ICT plan such as: The $11 million Digital Futures Fund which supports collaborative projects in the ICT sector and with other partners to develop emerging ICT capabilities in Victoria The Technology Trade and International Partnering Program will provide assistance for export-ready Victorian companies to attend recognised overseas ICT trade fairs and participate in trade missions An $18 million Broadband Enabled-Innovation Program will provide grants to innovative projects to develop new ways of working and improving service delivery in business, government and the community through the use of high-capacity broadband An investment of around $2 million in a suite of ICT skills initiatives, in partnership with industry and the education sector, will deliver targeted programs for the continued growth of ICT in Victoria. AIIA strongly urges the NSW Government to review the current draft ICT Strategic Plan for NSW and consider the adoption of similar approaches as those taken in Victoria, which at this stage clearly indicates best practice for governments in relation to effective development of ICT industry opportunities. 5