Open systems, lower cost computing will support customs co-operation

Customs organisations in Africa can use information technology to greatest effect if they can adopt IT standards that embrace open systems and lower cost computing options.

Addressing the World Customs Organisation conference "Information Technology for Customs in Africa - Catalyst for development?" at the Indaba Hotel yesterday, Oracle Corporation, the world`s largest enterprise software company, presented technology options that would help Africa`s customs organisations overcome barriers preventing them from interacting with each other more effectively, and maximising their investment in information technology.

"At last year`s conference we spoke about the possibilities presented by the Internet, yet the reality is that the Internet will not solve the problems facing customs organisations," said Taroon Japal, regional manager for Oracle African Operations. "IT skills are in short supply, and government organisations are struggling to implement systems that can guarantee statutory compliance, security, automation and good governance."

Japal echoed the opening comments of the SA Revenue Services Commissioner Pravin Gordhan, who said that government support for customs transformation is essential to achieve transformation. "Governments are playing a key role in introducing fiscal reform, liberalising telecommunications and facilitating skills upliftment."

Japal outlined three ways in which IT companies can assist customs IT infrastructure development. Firstly, supporting skills development in Africa through education initiatives at secondary and tertiary level. "Companies are already far down the line with these initiatives," he said. "Oracle has implemented academic initiatives in most universities in Africa, and has also made software engineering education available online.

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Secondly, said Japal, customs authorities can opt for open systems such as Linux to lower the cost of computing, and to provide an open, low cost platform upon which to deploy applications. "Linux is cheap and fast, and already some governments have committed to a full Linux adoption strategy because of its openness."

Lastly, customs organisations can make better use of their hardware infrastructure by deploying it in a clustered configuration. "The replacement rate of computer servers is very quick in fast-growing data environments such as customs, and it becomes an expensive exercise to invest in bigger, more powerful hardware if one is to decommission a smaller server that still has a life-span.

"Overall, IT can support customs` goal to be an agent for economic development. Customs organisations can join with government in embracing newer, lower cost technologies with an emphasis on open source and standards based computing."