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The IT Sub-committee also noted that the Council employed 6 multi-user computers and over 180 workstations and PCs for 34 applications and 23 major databases. Major application areas cover the functions of all four Branches of the Department, as well as the department as a whole and the Council Secretariat. The above represent a total one-off investment of over HK$41.9 million and an average annual recurring cost of over HK$10 million in the past 7 years. The recurring cost amounts to less than 1% of our total expenditure. Whilst the ratio of IT expenditure to total expenditure has been low, our application of IT has served a major role. A macro look at the utilization of IT reveals that over 6.7 million transactions were processed by the major IT systems (i.e. URBTIX, SPORTIX and the Administration Computer) in the last 12 months. I would like to compliment our 44-person EDP Centre (together with its contractors) for having implemented systems to process such a significant throughput of data volume which would not have been possible if the systems were handled manually.
We must not, however, be complacent. Hence, the IT Sub-committee, working in conjunction with other Select Committees and departmental staff, has mapped out broad directions for the appropriate enhancement of IT applications. As Chairman of the IT Sub-committee, I am pleased to observe in 1992 the following significant progress in the Council's application of IT:--- (1) A decision to proceed with planning for computerization of Urban Council Public Libraries, followed by a request for proposals, shortlisting of proposals and intensive evaluation of the shortlisted proposals a project closely and jointly monitored by the Libraries Select Committee and the IT Sub-committee. A decision on the selection of vendor is expected to be made soon. This will be one of the largest projects in the history of the Council's application of IT, with an implementation schedule covering 3 years and a total purchase of approximately HK$100 million. We anticipate live runs to start in early 1994.
(2) Successful completion of SPORTIX Phase I and a decision to proceed to Phase II—a project closely and jointly monitored by the Recreation Select Committee and the IT Sub-committee. After a trial of SPORTIX (sports facilities booking system) Phase I for six months in 17 venues on Hong Kong Island, we have received favourable responses from both the public (users) and our staff. With the enhanced flexibility in facilities booking such as cross-booking and telephone-booking, we have managed to obtain an increase in usage of over 12% expressed in hours and of over HK$4.7 million in revenue for 1992 compared with 1991, not to mention the additional benefits of better facilities management and the promotion of sports. SPORTIX Phase II will cover all sports sites in the Urban area. (3) A decision to upgrade the Administration Computer. It is estimated that the upgrade will give us additional capacity of 3.6 times in order to cope with the increasing user requirements and to pave the way for accommodating identified future applications, more workstations and greater information requirements.
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(4) Preparation for the development of long and medium term strategies of IT. A survey was conducted among representatives of the various branches, sections and units of the 16,000 strong staff of the Urban Services Department, which resulted in the return of 'wish-lists' outlining over 80 request items for computerization. Whilst these 80 items have to be closely scrutinized, we are pleased with the departmental staff's enthusiasm in and awareness of the use of IT to assist them in their work functions in this information age.
Looking ahead, with major thrusts on the library automation and SPORTIX Phase II projects, I would like to see the completion of the long and medium-term strategies in the first half of the calendar year. As an IT professional, I would like to reiterate that we must keep up with the state-of-the-art in IT, including the consideration of reviewing adoption of client/server systems, local area networks, prompt management information, multi-media systems, more office automation, information display systems and self-serviced terminals for the public, etc.
The second part of my address relates to the image of the Council and quality of service. As a professional image counsellor, I maintain that image is not just a cosmetic appearance, but a perception instilled in target audiences. Two major elements of a good image are (1) the show of appreciation for the support given to us by our target audiences and (2) the projection of having established and having adhered to high standards. The first element was demonstrated in the various successful public relations programmes implemented in the past two years. But I must add that sustained efforts are required to continue the goodwill generated.
Standards are applicable to the quality of products and services, communication styles and service attitudes. A major factor in the performance of an organization is the quality of its products or services. There is a worldwide trend towards more stringent customer expectations with regard to quality, from both the private and public sectors and from manufacturing and servicing sectors.
Quality leads to customer satisfaction. Most organizations—industrial, commercial or governmental—produce products or services intended to satisfy users' needs or requirements. Such requirements are often incorporated in 'specifications'. However, specifications may not in themselves guarantee that customers' requirements are consistently met: there may be deficiencies in the specifications or in the organizational system that designs and produces the product or service. Consequently, this dichotomy has led to the development of quality system standards to complement technical specifications.
A number of sets of international standards have been developed and employed in various parts of the world, such as the International Standards Organization's ISO 9000 (adopted by more than 30 countries), ANSI/ASQC Q90 from the USA, EN 2900 from the European Community, AS 3900 from
Page 93 of 126
Page 93 of 126
162
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The IT Sub-committee also noted that the Council employed 6 multi-user computers and over 180 workstations and PCs for 34 applications and 23 major databases. Major application areas cover the functions of all four Branches of the Department, as well as the department as a whole and the Council Secretariat. The above represent a total one-off investment of over HK$41.9 million and an average annual recurring cost of over HK$10 million in the past 7 years. The recurring cost amounts to less than 1% of our total expenditure. Whilst the ratio of IT expenditure to total expenditure has been low, our application of IT has served a major role. A macro look at the utilization of IT reveals that over 6.7 million transactions were processed by the major IT systems (i.e. URBTIX, SPORTIX and the Administration Computer) in the last 12 months. I would like to compliment our 44-person EDP Centre (together with its contractors) for having implemented systems to process such a significant throughput of data volume which would not have been possible if the systems were handled manually.
We must not, however, be complacent. Hence, the IT Sub-committee, working in conjunction with other Select Committees and departmental staff, has mapped out broad directions for the appropriate enhancement of IT applications. As Chairman of the IT Sub-committee, I am pleased to observe in 1992 the following significant progress in the Council's application of IT:--- (1) A decision to proceed with planning for computerization of Urban Council Public Libraries, followed by a request for proposals, shortlisting of proposals and intensive evaluation of the shortlisted proposals a project closely and jointly monitored by the Libraries Select Committee and the IT Sub-committee. A decision on the selection of vendor is expected to be made soon. This will be one of the largest projects in the history of the Council's application of IT, with an implementation schedule covering 3 years and a total purchase of approximately HK$100 million. We anticipate live runs to start in early 1994.
(2) Successful completion of SPORTIX Phase I and a decision to proceed to Phase II-a project closely and jointly monitored by the Recreation Select Committee and the IT Sub-committee. After a trial of SPORTIX (sports facilities booking system) Phase I for six months in 17 venues on Hong Kong Island, we have received favourable responses from both the public (users) and our staff. With the enhanced flexibility in facilities booking such as cross-booking and telephone-booking, we have managed to obtain an increase in usage of over 12% expressed in hours and of over HK$4.7 million in revenue for 1992 compared with 1991, not to mention the additional benefits of better facilities management and the promotion of sports. SPORTIX Phase II will cover all sports sites in the Urban area. (3) A decision to upgrade the Administration Computer. It is estimated that the upgrade will give us additional capacity of 3.6 times in order to cope with the increasing user requirements and to pave the way for accommodating identified future applications, more workstations and greater information requirements.
Page 93 of 126
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 93 of 126
163
(4) Preparation for the development of long and medium term strategies of IT. A survey was conducted among representatives of the various branches, sections and units of the 16 000 strong staff of the Urban Services Department, which resulted in the return of 'wish-lists' outlining over 80 request items for computerization. Whilst these 80 items have to be closely scrutinized, we are pleased with the departmental staff's enthusiasm in and awareness of the use of IT to assist them in their work functions in this information age.
Looking ahead, with major thrusts on the library automation and SPORTIX Phase II projects, I would like to see the completion of the long and medium-term strategies in the first half of the calendar year. As an IT professional, I would like to reiterate that we must keep up with the state-of-the-art in IT, including the consideration of reviewing adoption of client/server systems, local arca networks, prompt management information, multi-media systems, more office automation, information display systems and self-serviced terminals for the public, etc.
The second part of my address relates to the image of the Council and quality of service. As a professional image counsellor, I maintain that image is not just a cosmetic appearance, but a perception instilled in target audiences. Two major elements of a good image are (1) the show of appreciation for the support given to us by our target audiences and (2) the projection of having established and having adhered to high standards. The first element was demonstrated in the various successful public relations programmes implemented in the past two years. But I must add that sustained efforts are required to continue the goodwill generated.
Standards are applicable to the quality of products and services, communication styles and service attitudes. A major factor in the performance of an organization is the quality of its products or services. There is a worldwide trend towards more stringent customer expectations with regard to quality, from both the private and public sectors and from manufacturing and servicing sectors.
Quality leads to customer satisfaction. Most organizations industrial, commercial or governmental-produce products or services intended to satisfy users' needs or requirements. Such requirements are often incorporated in 'specifications'. However, specifications may not in themselves guarantee that customers' requirements are consistently met: there may be deficiencies in the specifications or in the organizational system that designs and produces the product or service. Consequently, this dichotomy has led to the development of quality system standards to complement technical specifications.
A number of sets of international standards have been developed and employed in various parts of the world, such as the International Standards Organization's ISO 9000 (adopted by more than 30 countries), ANSI/ASQC Q90 from the USA, EN 2900 from the European Community, As 3900 from
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