Cisco pushes convergence

The focus for the next five years will be on helping government address its critical programme of action through innovative technology solutions, says Cisco.

Aggrey Rantloane, public sector head at Cisco, says government should start looking at more innovative solutions to fast-track service delivery.

“We are looking at disruptive technologies, which demonstrate collaboration between a service provider, an integrator and a technology company. Using that type of technology and those types of partnerships, we could, for example, build solutions which push the use of video, voice and data into remote areas.”

Government has prioritised health, rural development, education, safety and security in its programme of action.

“It's not unreal that in two to three years, these solutions will be commonplace technology. We want to make sure we can deliver things faster using technology,” he says.

Connectivity is key for these solutions, he points out. While Cabinet has acknowledged that broadband will leapfrog SA into better economic performance, more has to be done.

“Clearly, we know here that broadband plays a major issue. There we need government to really lead and bring beneficial broadband and getting connectivity and access to communities.”

He adds that, while Cisco will focus on expanding its research and development programmes and refining its solutions for the public sector, government needs to play its part. While companies are pushing the convergence of voice, video and data for sectors such as safety and security and health through telemedicine and telepresence solutions - government still needs to address connectivity, which enables all these solutions, he explains.

Rantloane notes there are several areas which need government's attention to ensure the rapid adoption of converged solutions.

“We need government to lead the bringing down of the cost of broadband and the integration of broadband services. You can see from local government, most of the metros are building their own networks and SITA is building its own network - we cannot wait for all these to be integrated. We have to build partnerships and make an impact almost immediately.”

Healthcare solutions must also be addressed. While the government is creating a national register for patient information, security remains a concern. The success of new health technologies relies on secure, integrated solutions and the ability to share and transfer patient information safely and securely, says Rantloane. Government still has to confirm security standards for the transfer of this privileged information, he explains.

There also needs to be increased collaboration between standards bodies and government over certain issues, he adds. One of these areas includes the video arraignment of prisoners and the validation of various biometric and fingerprint identifications in these processes.

Rantloane notes that, while the new government hasn't been in office long enough to accurately judge if its programmes are effective, there are positive changes. He says structural changes - with the creation of the ministries of planning and monitoring - issues such as broadband, education and health are becoming priority areas of reform.

“It's still early days, but we are seeing the right signs, unlike three or four years ago in the old government.”

Rantloane comments that Limpopo province, the Eastern Cape and Free State have completed their provincial ICT strategies and this shows an intention to transform government.

“We're seeing a more co-ordinated government and they seem to be focused, so we are hopeful that in a couple of months we'll be hearing more good news going forward. There is a willingness from government to really transform.”