Information Technology Services

May 11, 2009

Delivering Government of Canada IT Shared Services

Every year, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) spends approximately $2.5 billion for the acquisition of information technology (IT) goods and services, on behalf of client departments and agencies.

The Government is reviewing its IT infrastructure operations to identify ways to more efficiently deliver telecommunications, desktop computer services, data centre management, and IT security services in a government-wide approach. This initiative is based on IT best practices used by industry and institutions, using proven technologies with very positive results.

Moving to IT Infrastructure Shared Services

Under the Expenditure Review exercise launched by Treasury Board Secretariat in 2004, departments were asked to structure their services in a client-centered manner, to better utilize their operational resources and become more strategic in the delivery of services.

Currently, services are contracted on per product or service basis, and this is repeated independently within each government department—a process that is costly and an inefficient use of IT resources.

The Government of Canada has over 120 data centres, with numerous mainframes. As well, it has over 7,000 servers, with each department having its own telecommunications network and unique desktop services. PWGSC uses seven different financial and material applications and 14 different human resource systems—all of these are run from individual data centres with different standards.

The goal is to manage IT resources more effectively, to eliminate duplication and allow government to achieve a more efficient and cost-effective way of providing services, while ensuring best value for Canadian taxpayers. It also allows departments and agencies to focus on their core programs, instead of focusing on managing their IT infrastructure.

ITS - Structured to Deliver

PWGSC’s Information Technology Services (ITS) was restructured in 2005 to deliver on its IT Shared Services mandate. We must effectively manage the effects of growing the IT Shared Services within the department while continuing to support client departments’ IT infrastructure and technology requirements.

Through initiatives such as the Service Management Improvement Program, we are developing standardized and repeatable processes, and implementing rigorous service delivery and support discipline.

Canadians will have improved access to on-line government services and know that their tax dollars are being used wisely. By providing quality services and sound stewardship, we are improving Information Management/Information Technology (IM/IT) investment in people, money, assets, information and knowledge.

Implementing IT Shared Services

IT Shared Services has been planned and is being executed with the greatest care. Departments and agencies must be provided with IT services delivered in an efficient way with no disruption in services to Canadians.

Industry consultation has always been and will remain an integral part of all government contracting decisions, including those tied to large government IT infrastructure projects. Since 2005 PWGSC has been consulting with industry regarding potential changes to IT infrastructure goods and services procurement. PWGSC recognizes that in order to achieve the full benefits of IT Shared Services across government, it must be partners with industry; government has the technology demands and industry has the supply.

As the amount of common IT shared services grows, government will achieve more efficient and cost-effective operations through economies of scale and standardization; clearer accountabilities; timely decision-making based on consistent management information; and common, more consistent levels of service across the government.

Each key component of the IT Shared Services agenda has distinct activities that bring together the IT needs of government departments and agencies and the experiences of industry with those of ITS. Together, they can develop and deliver a portfolio of IT services that can be shared across government—a process that will be several years in the making.

Making Government-Wide Modernization a Reality

InformationTechnology Services is the "backbone" of government—providing leadership in supporting government-wide IT modernization initiatives. Working closely with client departments and agencies, ITS responds to IT service and infrastructure requirements, providing the right services and solutions to meet their needs.

ITS is making inroads in delivering IT Shared Services across government.

• By implementing common and IT Shared Services, it is estimated that the government could achieve cost savings in the range of 15-20 percent. Implementing government-wide IT shared services will take several years.
  
  
• As part of an early implementation of Daylight Savings Time, Information Technology Services implemented over 500 changes across thousands of infrastructure components, without incident.
  
  
• PWGSC is leveraging the government’s purchasing power in the area of mobile wireless products and services. By consolidating common requirements into a single procurement vehicle, the government has created a competitive environment that will result in savings of over 50 percent compared to past wireless costs.
  
  
• ITS is assisting departments and agencies in making productivity gains by introducing document and information management tools such as the Records, Document and Information Management System (RDIMS) and a Content Management System (CMS).

Key initiatives of the IT Infrastructure Shared Services Agenda

• Government On-Line (GOL)

ITS - Support to PWGSC

PWGSC Information Technology Services support provides the technical leadership, development services and infrastructure required to deliver on its commitments to:

• Real Property’s business systems transformation project
• Finance’s Business Process Reengineering and systems migration
• Human Resources’ renewal initiative
• Acquisitions’ and procurement renewal activities, and
• Accounting Banking and Compensation’s Pay and Pension Modernization projects.

As government progresses, expanding the use of IT Shared Services, ITS will continue to evolve, adapting to the changing needs of clients and Canadians. ITS will continue to work with government departments and industry, providing the technical infrastructure and support to help modernize the way government conducts its business.

Working together, using standardized processes and IT infrastructures, sharing technology and improving interoperability, Canadians will have better access to government services. At the same time, government will improve its internal efficiencies and be better able to manage its IT resources – it will be able to focus its energy on delivering programs and services Canadians want and need.