Introduction+of+ICT

BPA > Automation in Customs > cross agency shared services > e-business methodologies and standards
Public administration increasingly use Information and Communication Technology (ITC) to support their functions and processes. The introduction of ICT fits into a modernization agenda aiming at increasing the efficiency and quality of public services whilst reducing the costs for the service delivery. A key characteristic of the use of ICT is the automation of business processes. Automation means that the individual tasks necessary for the processing are conducted autonomously without manual external intervention based on the execution of pre-defined instructions and rules.

=Relevance for Trade Facilitation= Cross-border trade transaction involves a multitude of procedures that traders and the other stakeholders of the supply chain have to comply with. Each of these procedures entail in some form the submission, analysis, processing, and production of information. The speed with which these formalities are processed directly influences the competitiveness of goods and their integration into the global value chain. //(examples: The Doing Business Study measures the days it takes for clearing of goods, examples of time for clearance in an automated environment and a non automated environment)// A key objective of trade facilitation is to reduce times and delays by allowing a faster and time and location independent processing. ICT, in particular computer based information systems, is a key tool for realizing this objective. Whilst the commercial sectors, transport operators, shipping lines, express carriers, already make widespread use of ICT for their services (if possible link to somewhere in Henk's domain), public administration have been slow in integrating ICT. Customs administration typically have introduced information systems for the processing of customs declaration and the collection of the duties and taxes, as well as, the application of risk management. This is referred to as Customs Automation. The potential of ICT however goes beyond automation. The use of ICT also allow an information exchange between various actors and organisations, better access to information, the processing of requests and procedures at the same time, and the development of integrated services, effectively combining the various independent processes to a whole flow of process. (the last sentence needs editing) In the past ten years, the possible usage scenarios of ICT has evolved, in particular with the possibility of web services. A major evolution are the Single Window for Trade. A Single Window integrates various border agencies and their processes and services.

=Benefits= The expected benefits from the introduction of ICT in administrative processes are, first, faster and more reliable processing, in particular of large amount of information, second, uniform application of procedures, third, better exchange of information across organisational boundaries and availability of information that can be used and re-used for various tasks, and, finally, the possibility for processing at the same time rather than sequential manner.

The benefits of ICT however realise over time, as the new system has to be developed, tested, and deployed and staff has to get trained in the new operations. The initial investment costs therefore are high. The introduction of TCT needs to be linked to other modernisation efforts and accompanied by training and investment in change management.

=Necessary steps and requirements for the introduction of ICT= A key element for the success of ICT modernization programmes is that it is needs to be based on efficient business processes. ICT projects therefore need to start with a Business Process Analysis, that aims at reviewing and re-designing or simplifying the underlying business processes. Another important aspect is the development of an e-business methodology, in particular a dataset and common standards for message and data exchange to allow interoperability amongst agencies and cross-border exchanges.