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Knowledge Network: Enabling shared services across government

By OGCbuying.solutions

The GSi hosted Knowledge Network is an award winning cross-government project whose work helps to improve and modernise the electronic delivery and sharing of information. Services provided include the build and management of secure web sites and shared databases. This enables information sharing across government departments and other secure communities connected into the GSi such as PNN and the NHS. The Electronic Library for Government and the Overseas Market Introduction Service are examples of how successful sharing information through KN over the GSi can be.

Collaboration through Electronic Libraries for Government

Electronic Libraries for Government (ELG) was originally conceived by the Committee of Department Librarians (CDL). The intention was to provide an easy method for sharing information across government agencies and departments. However, it quickly became apparent that there was a wider opportunity.

Today the ELG has developed to become a major reference source. Using a web-based browser users can access a whole range of journals and all sorts of subject guides on topics such as travel, trade associations and companies, as well as statistical and parliamentary information. Anyone in government can add themselves to the system and provide information on their area of responsibility and skills.

Alison Cotterill, Head of Infosource at the DTI, now has a challenge to expand the use of the ELG. Usage of the system is completely voluntary she says. Everyone who is adding information is doing it in addition to their normal job. That said, we have a tremendous amount of work going on to add extra content. We're in the middle of producing three, new subject guides and there's a new job section where departments can advertise. We're looking at ways we can work with the Knowledge Council to ensure knowledge is shared and used effectively across Government. Ultimately the ELG is only as good as people make it, but I believe we have an opportunity to build a true knowledge base for Central Government.

Increased overseas sales opportunities for UK companies

UK Trade & Investment is the UK Government's international business development organisation, supporting businesses seeking to establish in the UK and helping UK companies grow internationally. It provides advice and services to business through a network of locally-based International Trade Teams. And one of the main ways UKTI support its customers is through its Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS).

OMIS is a chargeable service that opens the door to a wealth of practical support, advice and key market information, explains Mark Adefila, OMIS Project Manager, UK Trade & Investment.

It helps guide companies through the process of breaking into new overseas markets, providing help from initial market research, appointment making with selected contacts or potential business partners, right through to accompanying customers to meetings to help with translation, business etiquette and culture.

All the services of OMIS are delivered electronically to the customer, using a web-based system, enabling the UKTI team and the customer to work together collaboratively across geographies and time zones. Equally importantly all the information related to the order is captured in OMIS, providing a complete audit trail of all the activities associated with the order.

Before OMIS our services were delivered manually, Mark continues Consequently they were inconsistent and slow, and there was no central quality control or support.

OMIS was launched in 2001, Knowledge Network, part of the e-Government unit within the Cabinet Office took over hosting and support in 2003. Clearly, with a system that is in constant use around the globe, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week high availability and reliability are absolutely crucial. When a system works well, nobody talks about it, says Mark. In the early days of OMIS people did talk about the system. Now they don't. Cable & Wireless have improved on this by hosting OMIS on a brand new infrastructure and since the go live date of 11 December 2006 we have had 100% availability, it just works, which is great. The biggest business benefit is that they don't have to worry about the technology; instead they can focus on improving the services offered for their customers.

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© OGCbuying.solutions 2007

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