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Concept Viability: Early engagement with industry
30/07/04
ID Cards – Technology Won't Be The Problem
Intellect believes the publication of the Home Affairs Select Committee report into ID cards makes a valuable contribution to the on-going debate surrounding the implementation of this programme. However, it challenges the Committee's assertion that the current procurement process lacks transparency.
Intellect also welcomes the Committee's recognition of the efforts the Home Office has made in recent years to improve the performance of its IT projects. But reiterates its belief that all stakeholders, customers, suppliers and politicians engaged in this initiative must have a fundamental understanding of the business-change issues, rather than a restricted view of the scheme as solely an IT-project. In addition Intellect confirms that the technology being considered, which will form the basis of the card, has already been used in similar programmes across the world, is well-established and has been proven successful.
John Higgins, Intellect’s Director General, said, "We believe the market preparation and procurement approach undertaken by the Home Office has, to date, generated clear benefits to member companies. Intellect once again extends its invitation to all organisations and academics interested in the technical aspects of this programme to contact Intellect to discuss how they too can make a constructive contribution to this initiative."
"The hi-tech supply industry (suppliers of cards, security technologies and integration services) have the ability to meet the technological challenges created by the Government’s ID Card proposals. However, it will only be through open dialogue with all interested stakeholders that the right technical solutions will be developed and subsequently implemented."
Background
During the last three years Intellect has been working closely with the Home Office to ensure that interested suppliers of all sizes have the opportunity to contribute to the technical aspects surrounding the ID Card procurement. This dialogue has been aimed at preparing the market for the forthcoming procurement thereby ensuring that it has the capability and capacity to successfully deliver this programme. In comparison to other large-scale procurements in the public sector, this approach has been welcomed by suppliers, who have been given an opportunity to make a contribution much earlier in the procurement process than would otherwise be the case. This early engagement is something which Intellect has consistently identified as being fundamental to the successful implementation of IT-enabled business change programmes in the public sector.
Through its technology-neutral ID Card Forum, launched in May, this year, Intellect is looking forward to working with the Home Office in the coming months to demonstrate the hi-tech sector's ability to meet the technological challenges created by the Government's ID Cards proposals and to further enhance the early supplier involvement which has already taken place.
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