Software and technology make digital readiness and transformation simpler to achieve; however, it is imperative to adapt to trends for this to be entirely effective. Stanley Rabasotho, Public Sector Director for Software AG says COVID-19 has changed the way business is driven in our country, leadership has realised the importance of technology and how technology can enable service delivery quickly. Several digital solutions are implemented in the short space of time, and services were able to be delivered promptly to the needy.
Digital technologies should be augmented, and the Government has done well during this period in implementing digital solutions; however, more can be done in preparation for the post-COVID-19 period. Employees should be equipped with the required skill sets to apply digital technologies. Integration between systems and process automation are crucial to this enablement.
Digital transformation is not without its barriers. Lack of connectivity infrastructure plays a part in installing the path to digital readiness as well as uncertainty around cloud consumption because of security concerns and non-automated process. Siloed data is segregated across multiple systems with no integration and inadequate collaboration between IT and Lines of Business obstructs the steady progression of digital transformation.
To successfully execute digital readiness, the public sector should accelerate the application of the already envisaged digital strategy. The effective implementation of this starts with the employees; analysis of the public sector employee readiness concerning the required competencies is fundamental.
Successful digital transformation has to start at an individual level and needs a human-centric approach. Displacement of jobs is not the solution to the burgeoning demands of the digital revolution. Consistent efforts from both individuals and organisations are vital in generating new opportunities where humans can collaborate with technology to initiate a new culture of learning.
Digital Transformation will enable Government to implement e-Government initiatives that will ensure a common platform across Government departments to facilitate effective delivery of government services.
Software AG Digital Business Platform will enable Government to achieve the following among other goals:
Optimisation and transforming government services and make government itself a digital organisation.
Real-time processing of government data to improve government analysis, planning, and implementation of action plans to improve citizen service delivery.
Enabling citizens to view personal records and status of the request for services online, transact with Government by booking for government services online
To take control of the changing business requirements, Software AG Enterprise Management System powered by ARIS is the perfect platform. To continue to provide adequate services in today’s unpredictable and chaotic environment, Government must digitally transform to better service delivery and win the confidence of the citizens.
Our Enterprise Management System will assist Government to align from end-to-end and help gain control over its digital transformation. An Enterprise Management System is a strategic asset for government business. Government will gain greater end-to-end visibility of operations and the transparency needed to make impactful, future-proof business decisions.
Enterprise Management System will enable Government and all public entities to achieve excellence by:
Gain greater end-to-end visibility of operations and the transparency needed to make better business decisions
Ensure processes are tightly linked across the departments to connect people, processes and technologies
Enable an efficient internal control system to support fast adaption to regulations and the ability to demonstrate compliance
Get the right balance between control and business performance
Providing the citizens, the best services based on citizen-centric processes
Software AG was involved in a case study with Ekurhuleni. The municipality was on the path of integrating nine smaller towns into one megacity. Rabasotho says, “The challenge was not to replace nine systems, but to use an IT platform to wrap around the systems, with an integration layer so citizens would get services as if from one entity while giving Ekurhuleni the time to change the systems that needed changing.”
Employing a uniform method, the ‘indigent citizen’ project came to light. People who are constitutionally eligible to receive essential services such as water and electricity, yet are too poor to pay for them. The answer to this challenge was to empower them to identify and register themselves on the system so that they would be able to receive benefits within a short period. Field agents have been deployed to enable that benefits can be received within a one-month billing cycle. This spans out to social and education grants too and has aided in alleviating the pressure on accessing services significantly.
By: Stanley Rabasotho, Public Sector Director for Software AG
