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The Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Committee (ADSIC) has awarded the first five projects valued at Dh21 million ($5.71 million) under its service optimisation program for the Government of Abu Dhabi.

Rashed Al Mansoori, ADSIC chairman, noted that these projects only spearhead the ambitious program and lay the foundation for a more collaborative e-government in Abu Dhabi that puts customers first and brings government entities together to jointly deliver against the optimisation objectives.

The first five projects focus on government capabilities and enabling initiatives for best-practice service delivery. They include:

*Government Portal: This project has been awarded to Injazat. The government portal will be the gateway to information access on Abu Dhabi government and to the services of government entities aimed at individuals (citizens/expatriates), businesses and government users (government entities/employees). Furthermore, the portal aims to increase visibility of Abu Dhabi across the UAE and to the outside world, helping to attract foreign investment to Abu Dhabi.

* Architecture and Standards: This project has also been awarded to Injazat. ADSIC has tendered this project in view of defining a set of standards (e.g., hardware, software, security, etc.) to be used across government entities for the provision of government information communication and technology (ICT) infrastructure and services. The benefits of government-wide architecture and standards, amongst others, are increased efficiency of government services to the public, ensured interoperability between government IT systems as well as the promotion of collaboration across governmental organisations.

* ERP Rationalisation Study: This project has been awarded to BearingPoint. The aim of this effort is to define a consistent and applicable government-wide Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application portfolio including the areas of Financial Management (FMS), Human Resources Management (HRMS) and beyond. After conducting a detailed analysis of relevant international best practices of ERP systems, functions, processes, and services, the study will conclude with a recommendation on the optimal ERP solution (tools, technologies, and processes) and shared services operating model to advance and maximize the efficient utilization of the Abu Dhabi government’s current ERP systems and investments.

* e-Procurement Rationalization Study: This project has also been awarded to BearingPoint. Similarly to the ERP Rationalization Study, the aim in this context is to define a consistent and applicable government-wide toolset and operating model for e-Procurement. After conducting a detailed analysis of relevant international best practices of e-Procurement systems, functions, processes, and services, the study will conclude with a recommendation on the optimal e-Procurement solution (tools, technologies, and processes) and shared service operating model to advance and maximise the efficient utilisation of the Abu Dhabi government’s current procurement systems and investments.

* Market-Facing Awareness Campaign: This project has been awarded to Memac Ogilvy. ADSIC aims to launch a broad market-facing campaign to raise awareness of Abu Dhabi’s Government Service Optimisation and e-Government Program. The usage of new e-Government services, ICT in general and other topics will follow.