The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) expects to save R6.2 million over the next three financial years, within the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period.
One of the ways it intends to do this is by using more economical ICT that will reduce the overall cost of telephonic communications by 30%, according to the national budget's Estimates of National Expenditure.
It will apply discounted rates on cellular contracts that have been negotiated by the department and will adopt an electronic landline telephone accounting system that saves on paper and ink cartridges.
“The department's use of consultants will be reduced significantly over the MTEF period as the department builds its capacity.”
It says consultants were used to provide technical skills to the development and implementation projects, including skills assessments in the public service, the ICT expenditure review project, and the clean-up of the old Persal system - the computerised human resources system used by government.
Automating government
The DPSA has identified e-government as one of its top priorities going forward. One of the department's objectives, as outlined in the recent budget speech, is to leverage ICT as a strategic resource for the e-government strategy.
“The next generation e-government strategy is a critical ICT initiative that aims to automate and modernise platforms through which government conducts business and renders services, largely using mobile technology platforms.”
A conceptual framework has been developed for the implementation of an e-government prototype platform that will e-enable the pro-poor services of registration of birth and identity documents; notification of death; registration for foster care and pension grants; and application for maintenance orders, according to the Estimates of National Expenditure.
“Over the medium-term, the department will focus on developing an actual platform from the prototype and having 50 automated e-government services operational by the end of 2013/14. The department will also continue improving frontline services by providing ICT connectivity at all Thusong service centres.”
The department says to contribute to lowering the levels of corruption in the public service, it will focus on improving IT security in the public service and reducing transgression in relation to financial systems.
As part of the e-government objective, the department unveiled the integrated financial management system's human resource module last week, which is being implemented by the State IT Agency (SITA).
The system integrates and modernises IT systems that support human resource management, supply chain and financial management in the public service.
SITA objectives
Another objective is to complete the connectivity blueprint and bandwidth strategies for schools, libraries, municipalities and clinics.
The department also hopes to consolidate and optimise IT infrastructure and service management by developing a government-wide IT plan and a shared services blueprint to assist departments and municipalities to improve security and reduce the costs of ICT over the next three years.
SITA is currently in the process of implementing a turnaround strategy and operating plan that will build on its capabilities and address all the challenges facing the agency, says the department.
“The strategy has identified six key outcomes, which must be achieved over the next three to five years: to be the proficient lead agency in public sector IT; to achieve an effective and integrated public sector ICT supply chain management system; to ensure competitive pricing and financial sustainability; to be an effective regulator; to carry out effective governance and monitoring; and to be an employer of choice.”
Key policy developments and activities for the agency over the medium-term include providing ICT connectivity to Dinaledi schools, community libraries and Thusong service centres; creating the ICT blueprint; establishing an open source programme office that will create an open source laboratory; and contributing to the development of a catalytic next-generation e-government prototype.
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