Published on the 02/11/2015 | Written by Newsdesk
Software giant seeks to spur public sector innovation…
In collaboration with government agencies, universities and partner organisations, SAP’s just-launched Canberra-based Institute for Digital Government (IDG) will facilitate innovation through digital technology for deeper policy insight and improved service delivery.
Partners in the IDG include the Australian Catholic University, Australian National University, European Social Network (ESN), International Social Security Association (ISSA) and National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Brian Lee-Archer of the IDG said it will cover other areas of government such as future cities and national security in 2016. “Social protection is one of the highest touch points for a government with its citizens and innovation through digital transformation will contribute to improved social and economic outcomes.
The IDG has been welcomed by a range of industry players, including SAP partners like IBM and Accenture, with the latter describing the development as providing a place and a mechanism for government agencies to come together and discuss new approaches, tools, prototypes and proofs of concept to explore how digital can drive transformation. “We see the Institute as another opportunity to bring innovation, thought leadership and new thinking into the digital landscape,” said Catherine Garner, MD at Accenture’s Health & Public Service Operating Group.
Partnering with the Institute is conducted in a non-commercial manner to allow for flexibility in the topic areas to pursue. The Institute, with its partners, is developing programmes of collaboration activity in areas such as innovation in using predictive analytics in real-time decision-making and policy development.
Asked about the recently launched Australian Digital Transformation Office (DTO), Lee-Archer noted that organisation’s efforts to take a citizen view when designing digital government initiatives. “Where the SAP IDG can complement the DTO is with its research on the creation of public value to improve social and economic outcomes. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with the DTO, and make a contribution to realising a vision of keeping digital government simple for the future.”
iStart also wanted to know what sort of investment does the centre represents from SAP and how it will measure results and performance. Lee-Archer described as ‘significant’ the investments in facilities and people, without giving any figures. “We have also heavily engaged our development and R&D capacity in Germany, the U.S. and India in anticipation of co-innovation efforts with our existing and soon-to-be partners,” he added.
Measurement, said Lee-Archer, will be done it the Institute’s ability to facilitate innovation through digital technology for deeper policy insight and improved service delivery. “It will also be measured on the calibre of its partners and quality of its outputs, such as the five organisations announced as our foundation partners today, along with this discussion paper.”
