Social assistance information system is a tool used to monitor information about the applicants, among several government institutions. The main aim of this system is to reduce “bureaucracy” during the application period for social support or supports. The system communicates with the databases of the several government institutions using web services. The system is available for 973 districts in Turkey for accepting applications. Recently 2.800 registered users are using this system through the application period. Through the use of the system documents from 11 Government institutions are accessed on-line, instead of the applicants physically visiting these institutions. .

Description of target users and groups

Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations founded in every district of Turkey (973 districts) during the appllications for Social Assistance or Project Supports

Description of the way to implement the initiative

Government institutions are integrated one by one as protocols are signed between SYDGM and these institutions.

Technology solution

Web based technology is used for this application.

Technology choice: Standards-based technology

Return on investment

Return on investment: Not applicable / Not available

Lessons learnt

• Since it is critical information, data security is essential. All possible threats are eliminated for system security.
• Access is secured via VPN connections with static IP addresses and private username and passwords exist for each user.  Thus, only specific people access this system with specific computers.
• Also all queries are logged in order to track the user and create detailed reports. Apart from these precautions, all applicants sign a request form so that this data can be gathered for use only during the application period. So this data can not be used for any other purposes than social support applications.
• Beside these, there is a CAPTCHA field to be filled to connect the system to eliminate automated entries.

Beside, in some cases data institutions do not want to share some data, claiming that they contain private  information. In such cases there should be law regulations.

Scope: National