The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has awarded the Virtual Private Network (VPN) - enabled Government Common Core Network (GCCN) tender, worth an estimated R100 million, to a consortium headed by arivia.kom. The consortium partners include Nortel Networks SA, IMS and Comztek.
The tender solution required the provision of a GCCN to integrate the current 16 separate networks that Government Departments are running. It is anticipated that Virtual Private Network (VPN) that will be implemented on this core network will solve inter-connectivity challenges that are being experienced across Government. This multi-service platform would enable Government to easily transmit live and static pictures while sharing data across the same lines in a very secure manner.
The GCCN will enable, in time, different government departments to communicate, interact and transact more effectively with each other. The VPN will allow the secure transfer of data seamlessly across National, Provincial and Local Government with optimised interactive abilities to deliver:
* Government to Government (G2G) transactions - to deliver services across all tiers of Government, i.e. Information is shared between the Department of Correctional Services, South African Police Services and the Justice department regarding an awaiting trial prisoner.
* Government to Citizen (G2C) transactions - as part of the life-circle services from birth to death, i.e. Citizens will be able to obtain, complete and submit birth registration forms online and transact all other "life" events on-line.
* Government to Business (G2B) transactions - to partner with industry for speedy delivery of services and increased sustainable development, i.e. transactions between Government and Business will be done electronically to increase the speed of delivery whilst paper-based transactions are diminished.
arivia.kom will oversee the supply and implementation of the network including training and logistical support.
"The awarding of the tender is a major milestone for SITA, since it addresses one of the five key deliverables, i.e. interoperability, of the IT House of Values; it is also very strategic since it forms the cornerstone of the overall e-Government initiative. The implementation of the VPN will directly impact on the way Government does business and will, without question, assist Government in their aim of increased public service delivery, efficiency and productivity", SITA e-Services Chief Executive, David Setshedi said.
Commencement of the project is envisioned to be at the end of November 2002
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