Hampshire Council hasannouncedthat it is the first county
council and one of only a few UK public sector organisations to
achieve an internationally recognised accreditation for
IT.
The ISO 20000 accreditation
recognises best practice in IT service management, information
security and the efficient operation of IT. Widely coveted by
high-profile blue chip companies, it has not previously been
awarded to any local authority IT department.
The council's IT department spent 18 months streamlining and
standardising its delivery of IT. To qualify for the award, the
authority had to satisfy three independent audits and a rigorous
external review by the
British Standards Institute (BSI).
The council said the award was recognition that over one million
Hampshire residents would enjoy the highest quality IT performance,
efficient services and continuously improving reliability and
availability of IT.
According to council spokeswoman Suzi Southgate, more than 200
process areas were considered, and process managers set up in every
area of IT from technology and service management to supplier and
customer relationship management.
The exercise has not cost the taxpayer anything.
"Cost was largely absorbed in business-as-usual service
improvement rather than significant new resources found," said
Southgate. "It was also treated as a change programme.
"It will be and is already reaping dividends in performance
management and reporting, helping the IT management team with
decision-making and ensuring Hampshire County Council targets
resources more quickly and effectively. "Consistency in IT
management lies behind delivering effective and efficient IT. We
need repeatable and proven ways of doing things if we are to be
responsive and productive, yet ensure we protect services and
data.
"The new ways of working will increase productivity levels. They
mean Hampshire County Council can do more."
IT chiefs not using service standards >>