With the IT
infrastructure in place in the cloud, managers need to make use of
their functions for the delivery of IT
services. Besides computer hardware in the cloud,
computer software could also be put and
operated in the cloud. Computer software are
usually referred to in two levels. One is the basic operating
system and utility
programs generally
called the platform. Upon the platform,
computer applications are developed and implemented
for the delivery of specific
services.
The cloud could
offer both as a service:
PaaS Platform as
a service and
SaaS Software as a service. PaaS could
be viewed as a part of the IaaS, that
is, the software
part of the
infrastructure.
As such, the
platform is
provided as a
common service
in the cloud.
Managers
could take the
platform in
the cloud as
granted and
freely make
use of its
functions for
the implementation
of
departmental
applications.
Besides
the technical
platform for operating
the hardware,
OCGIO
announced that
she will make
use of a
common
platform for
supporting
common
e-government
applications
across
departments.
They include a
new user
directory
service for
unified
identity
management,
communications
and
collaboration
that complements
the government
electronic
messaging
system. Managers
may be glad
to hear that
the tedious
work of managing
user log-in
accounts, user
identification,
email accounts
may all be
replaced by a
government-wide
common system
operating from
the cloud.
Departments
may need to
follow
strictly the procedures
set by OCGIO
in the common
system. This
is a great
step forward
in the integration
of
communication
in the
government and
a great relief
for managers.
OCGIO
also announced
that she will
develop shared
services for a
portfolio of
applications,
including
software to
support
electronic
information
management,
human resource
management,
electronic
procurement
and support
for paper-less
meetings.
Operating from
the cloud,
these software
will be common
to all departments,
but with
specific
emphasis on
individual
data and
circumstances.
Managers have
been working on
such systems for a
long time. OCGIO
attempted in
the past on
developing such common
applications
for all
departments,
but failed.
Each department
seems to have
her own
special
requirement.
A common
cloud
application
could be a way
to force
departments to
adopt
and change. I would
raise
a word of warning.
Beware of
the impact
of the change
when adjusting
the age-old
manual system
to fit into
the new cloud-based
system. The
problem is not
the technology
but the
requirement to
change human
working
habits. But EO
are expert change
agents. We
could bravely
face the
issue.
Then
there are
the most
important
departmental
IT
applications
to be
implemented in
the cloud.
Each case is
unique and the
usual
steps of
system analysis
and design are
required. Managers
are the user
side. The technical
part is
contracted
out. In this
connection,
OCGIO has
shortlisted a
number
of qualified
service
providers for
the supply
of SaaS common
commercial
software as
a service.
Initially, these
providers will
provide cloud
services under
four
categories:
Productivity
Applications,
Business
Applications,
Cloud IT
Services,
and Social
Media
Applications.
Manager would
have to
negotiate
with the
providers, or
refer
departmental officers
to them for
the development
of specific applications.
One
remark on
financial
management; managers
would
be required to
budget for the
expenses of engaging
contractors
for the provision
of cloud
computing
services.
From the scale
of the
applications
on the list of
selected
services, the
cost
would likely need
to be absorbed
in Departmental
Expenses.
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