The e-Transformation in Uskudar Municipality programme (ETUM) aims to provide online eGovernment (e-municipality) operations. The public and private sector have collaborated in ETUM. During the development process, since 2005, the system has been continuously improved and its area of influence has widened with IVR and mobile services. ETUM constitutes a sample for e-Transformation programs in Turkey.
Policy Context
Uskudar Municipality started its e-transformation in 2005. In accordance with the schedules, public e-services (e-Municipality), Mobile Municipality, IVR, Digital Archive and Document Management Systems have been established and are operated. Municipality employees are kept up-to-date on the innovations in the system's structure with continuous trainings. Electronic workflow and digital signature practice have been targeted by 2010 and studies on these projects commenced. Uskudar Municipality has achieved the ETUM Project with most of the goals demonstrated by the EU: i2010 e-Government Action Plan and scheduled to complete the remaining part by 2010.
Description of target users and groups
The 495,000 inhabitants of Uskudar.
Technology solution
ETUM has an open-source architecture that is web-based and independent from the Database, Operating System and Application Server. The company that we cooperate on the software design and development is VADI Information System & Software Development Company. VADI is one of the authorized IBM Inc. partners in Turkey. J2EE, JSP, BC4J, XML HTML Technologies were employed in the projects. As for GIS, Esri ArcSDE (Spatial Data Engine), Esri ArcIMS (Internet Map Server) applications are used. Uskudar Municipality has a strong information system infrastructure with the wide are network which ensures online access among 14 departments that are connected to the center, 500 computer users and 19 servers. MetroEthernet and G.SHDSL (G.991.2 Symetric High-data-rate Digital Subscriber Line) technologies are employed for providing the connection between the center and the external units. The Kiosk units and 8 municipal social service centers can access the internet and e-Municipality services via ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) connections. In Mobile Municipality applications, pocket PCs use both online and offline data exchange. They can connect to the central system online using the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) for entering or calling data.
Technology choice: Open source softwareMain results, benefits and impacts
After e-transformation, lots of municipal operations take just a few minutes whereas previously it took days or sometimes weeks. ETUM is a frame programme comprising 6 different main projects: - Web portal, e-Municipality services and e-City MAP - IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system - Kiosk units - Mobile Municipality System - The Land Registry and Cadastre Directorship Integration - Digital Archiving and Document Management System In the frame of ETUM, a rapid and effective inspection of over 20,000 SMEs and free agents was accomplished. All the collected data was transferred into the central system, online and offline. Pocket PCs and Pocket printers were employed in the inspection. The Municipal Police made corrections in site, changing incomplete or wrong inputs about the business places, taking photographs, etc, and entering the data collected into the central system via the Pocket PC. Thanks to the system, the businesses having no license are pursued and tax evasions are repressed while the daily activities of the Municipal Police teams can be supervised. A digital archive and documentation system has been established to computerize the paper files. Privacy and security of files, accelerated information flow and standardization of the works in the organization have been achieved.
Return on investment
Return on investment: Not applicable / Not availableTrack record of sharing
ETUM can easily and quickly be put into practice in other municipalities as well. Up to now, the needed documents and information were given to many municipalities that came to our institution or made a request for help on the e-transformation projects via email. Opinions about the partner companies were shared and the reference visits for observation were organized. However, Uskudar Municipality has not enough experience on common international works. It is clear that there is an effect on this lack of experience due to applications and related documents are being prepared only in Turkish language. Yet, Uskudar Municipality is eager to exchange information and experiences with the foreign municipalities and non-governmental bodies especially from EU countries. Mutual visits, workshops and seminars can be organized and joint activities can be carried out through these events.
Lessons learnt
Lesson 1 - For a successful e-transformation representatives from all departments should take part in the preparatory works and a common synergie should be reached. Trainings should be arranged for employees for being adapted to the new systems. Lesson 2 - It is necessary to follow policies and works of national and international organizations more attentively in order to achieve an effective program in e-transformation.
Scope: Local (city or municipality)