Kingston Council trials MS content server

A London council has become one of the first UK users of Microsoft's Content Management Server 2001 product.

The Royal Borough of Kingston is using the system to help redesign its website and offer bill payments and information services to residents.

From October, its 147,000 residents will be able to buy goods and pay household bills, such as council tax and rent, using the internet.

Council officers and outside contractors will be able to publish web pages using the server, ensuring public access to the most current information, says eServices project officer Robin Noble.

The server was chosen because it integrates easily with the council's existing infrastructure of Commerce Server and Windows NT, and is simple to use. It started using the products in April.

"It's all browser-based. Before, you had to be slightly nerdy to use it. Unlike Amazon, we don't have a catalogue. We have many diverse services, and it lets us have all those at the same time," said Noble.

Half of Kingston's population do not pay their bills by direct debit and with high internet usage, web payment has great potential, he says.

The move is part of the council's commitment to meeting the government target for getting all service online by 2005. But work will not end when the e-government deadline is met, says Noble.

'We don't like to be on the bleeding edge, but we are on the top of the table. We like to leave it to others to make the mistakes," he said.

"You need a vision. Work out where you're going - that's a key thing. It's not really about e-government - there's a lot to be said for getting on and doing it and letting the strategy catch up with you," added Noble.

Provided additional funding can be secured, the council hopes its next move will be to implement a customer relationship management (CRM) system.