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David Atwood 
Director of E-Government 
Email: datwood@gov.bm
Tel: +1 (441) 292 4595

Khaliah Nisbett
Portal Administrator
Email: kknisbett@gov.bm
Tel: (441) 294 9093

Physical Address:

Department of E-Government
Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications & E-Commerce
2nd Floor, F. B. Perry Building
40 Church Street
Hamilton  HM 12
Bermuda

Mailing Address:

Department of E-Government
P.O. Box HM 101
Hamilton, HM HX
Bermuda

 
How the Government Portal Works  

Operating a portal requires a variety of skills. Some to do with software, some to do with media. In the first of a series of Behind the Scenes articles we provide insight into the elements needed to bring the portal to you.

'Platform' is a term that is bandied around the IT industry. At simplist it means the software and hardware on which a service is based. In the case of gov.bm one of the main parts of the platform is the portal application. BEA System's Aqualogic Interaction product is used. It used to be called Plumtree before it was aquired by BEA. The current version is the fith and we are moving the portal to the sixth version over the summer of 2007. 

So what does the portal application do. Take five minutes to watch this Flash demonstration that walks you through the basics of this portal application

If you don't watch the demo you'll miss out on finding out how the portal can tie together different applications across government and how it can manage the rights of different users.

Strategic Objectives- 2011-2012

  • The Department of E-Government (DEG) will continue its focus, more externally, on the users of the portal and other online services than on the systems themselves. This will mean the use of customer insight to inform the design and operation of our services. As the user frequently crosses organizational boundaries in government this will mean that DEG will increasingly be driving or at least facilitating civil servants to work with others from other departments and companies.
  • The DEG has initiated plans to replace the existing aging Portal software and is currently researching and experimenting with other portal technologies. This will continue during 2010 with final replacement the Portal in 2011/2012.
  • DEG will focus, internally, on providers of public services in order to supply them with methods for gaining customer insight about their services, the means for improving customer satisfaction and the tools to manage their business processes better.
  • The DEG will  continue its  role in the  coordination of Governments GIS strategy and development of a GIS Portal as well as provision of consulting services to departments with developing GIS needs.
Department Mission  
  • To work with departments and others on identifying opportunities for the creation and deployment of online content, transactions, systems and services that meet the needs of government, citizens, businesses and the voluntary sector.
  • Provide a swift, stable and secure portal. Support departments in their use of portal, ensuring publication of content that is useful, accurate and timely.  Promote use of the portal to internal and external users.
  • Manage the uptake of e-government services within the Civil Service through the operation of governance in a coordinated manner, making use of secretariats, working groups and steering groups.
  • To use insight and innovation to fix public service business problems at the fundamental level before resorting to a pure technology solution.  In other words: moving the focus of e-government away from specific technologies and their implementations, e.g., portal software, towards the use of customer insight, customer satisfaction and business process management (BPM) methods.
Strategic Pole Star  
The e-Government Pole Star represents the core strategic principles which our department practices. We believe that attention to these principles and the use of appropriate e-technology solutions will result in both improved services to Governments customers and improved internal efficiencies.
Pole Star Table  
Dialogue (center)
Dialogue is the means by which e-Government services & efficiencies are discovered, defined developed and deployed.Dialogue will be a core practice for E-Government.
 
Skills/Knowledge (star point)
Developing the right skills and knowledge base within the Civil Service is key to the effective management & use of e-technology. The eGovernment Department will use whatever means available to develop and enhance Governments e-skills and capability.
 
Innovation (star point)
The deployment of e-services is dependant on the Governments ability to utilize its internal innovative resources. The e-Government department will work with Government agencies to leverage and position the “innovators” within the Civil Service to facilitate the effective development of e-technology.
 
Partnership (star point)
Government has effectively used IT vendors in acquiring & developing its applications. Creating and sustaining effective partnerships with the vendor community and the Private Sector is a critical success factor for eGovernment delivery.
 
Integration (star point)
The end game for effective eGovernment is “joined-up” Government. Wherever the integration of business processes and technology benefits the internal and external client it will be pursued coordinated and deployed.
 
Pragmatism (star point)
The technology deployed should meet the actual need. Technology decisions must be dictated by practical needs and considerations. This principle applies to decisions on need, choice of technology and scope of deployment.