 |
”This is proof that countries that adopt, adapt and absorb the benefits of ICT, services and applications achieve significant benefits in terms of productivity, innovation, growth and quality of life,” commented John Higgins, Director General of Intellect. “Vitally though, the reports have found that countries that invest heavily in ICT gain significant competitive advantage over countries that don't." In response to the DTI reports, Intellect has urged the Government to put ICT at the heart of policy development and introduce a structured set of measures designed to chart progress in implementation, take up and exploitation of ICT. "We should not underestimate the up hill struggle the UK faces
as it attempts to catch up with its global competitors such as the USA
and China, and the sooner we take action to realise the full potential
of ICT the better,” added Mr. Higgins.
|
Intellect,
the trade association for the UK’s hi-tech industry, has backed
the DTI’s ICT and Productivity report series, which found that
ICT will play a key role in boosting business productivity. The three
reports, published this week, looked at issues including the impact
of ICT investment on business performance, overseas performance and
the effect of e-commerce across industry.
|
"Witnesses can now be assured that they can give evidence away from the witness box in the courtroom and not come face to face with defendants or a situation they might find intimidating. This is important for justice,” said Harriet Harman, speaking during a visit to Stevenage Magistrates’ Court. "This use of technology proves that courts are moving into the 21st century.” The video link systems are currently installed in 266 of the 365 magistrates’ courts. Hertfordshire's area director for Her Majesty's Courts Service Jonathan Lane added; "The video link in Stevenage has proved a success since it was installed two years ago. It has been used extensively by young witnesses to give evidence locally. The introduction earlier this year of an additional system at Hertford magistrates' court with a remote link to the town's county court has meant that witnesses can now give evidence in a safe environment without fear of coming into contact with defendants." |
The centre is based on Macfarlane Telesystems’ CallPlus technology, and employs email, SMS and online contact facilities, along with traditional telephony. Video conferencing systems will be introduced later this year, further widening the centre’s connectivity. The centre currently handles Council Tax, Benefits, Housing, Planning, Refuse Collection and other queries. The Council plans to move other services including Environmental Services, Health, Parking Services and Electoral Registrations into the centre in the near future. Cathy Eastwood, Contact Centre Manager at Canterbury City Council said;
"Macfarlane has helped us better understand what volume of calls
to expect and trends, so we can better match staffing to meet likely
requirements. It's also enabled us to route calls more intelligently,
to record calls for training purposes, constructively monitor calls
and use reporting facilities to give us information on abandoned calls
for the first time." |
Canterbury
City Council has reported a successful opening period for its new Customer
Contact Centre, which has been introduced to help meet e-government
targets. Since opening in February, the centre has allowed the council
to handle 27% more calls and has achieved a high customer satisfaction
rate (88%) for its services to date.
The National Consumer Council (NCC) has warned the European Commission that enforcing intellectual property rights on web-based music would make ordinary consumers ‘criminals’ and would ‘overstep the mark’. Sixty UK-based internet users have already settled legal claims against them by the BPI, some paying up to £6500 in compensation. “Moves are afoot in Brussels to tighten up enforcement of intellectual
property laws. It could mean consumers facing criminal sanctions and
a criminal record for sharing creative content,” explained Jill
Johnstone, NCC Director of Policy.
|
A joint initiative between the UK Government, Cambodian Government and Microsoft is aiming to combat child exploitation over the internet, it was announced this week. The programme involves training schemes in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, which aim to raise awareness of the local law enforcement and judicial agencies when dealing with crimes involving children. Local NGOs will also participate with the initiative, including childrens’ rights, Islamic and Muslim organisations.
"The UK Government is committed to combating child sex abuse and
prostitution, including through the medium of the internet. This joint
initiative with the Cambodian Government and Microsoft is an excellent
example of the public and private sectors joining forces to stamp out
the evil abuse of innocent children,” explained Foreign Office
Minister Dr Kim Howells, MP yesterday. “The training will focus
on important and sensitive techniques, such as how to interview a child
abuse victim and conduct an online abuse investigation.” |
|
If you have been forwarded IT for Government by a colleague, and would like to start
a free subscription - click here
|
| [If you no longer wish to receive IT for Government, __UNSUB__ here | Contact: admin@itforgovernment.net ] Sent by Green Media. Hoults Estate, Walker Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. T: 0191 2759777 |
