What most were expecting to be a culmination into an ecstatic event for local IT companies basically went by like a rainy day in London: more of the same.
When the State IT Agency (SITA) released the names of the companies that had been short-listed for its seat management and services tender, most expected widespread jubilation, but the reality was quite the opposite.
I suppose what might have built up this expectation was the fact that SITA had significantly and repeatedly delayed the release of the company names, and had given the impression the final announcement would bring with it guaranteed business ventures.
ITWeb used to receive at least three phone calls a week regarding the release of the list. Now, after the announcement, it`s clear that companies have realised they still have work to do to actually get a piece of the public sector ICT pie. Apathy abounds.
One wonders why SITA took so long to release the list in the first place. It was not as if it was anything that guaranteed any of the companies business, although I suppose some of the big vendors must already see their balance sheets looking much better in the near future.
This is similar to someone taking most of the year to release the list of names that "might" make it onto his or her Christmas list.
This is a clear indication of the need for public sector departments to streamline processes and do away with unnecessary delays that are a clear result of the red tape that still exists in government.
This is similar to someone taking most of the year to release the list of names that "might" make it onto his or her Christmas list.
Kaunda Chama, features editor, ITWeb
SITA had better put up some real seat management tenders soon before most of the companies forget they are on the short-list. Those on the list already seem to have a lacklustre feeling about waiting so long only to find they only made it onto a list that isn`t a final list.
In future, I suggest SITA speeds up its pre-selection processes - it should not take a whole year to determine what companies are eligible to do business with the government.
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