Public sector seeks business benefits of mobile technology

The minister for local egovernment, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, has called for local councils to make more use of mobile technology to help citizens.

Fitzpatrick says there is a long way to go to realise the full potential of mobile systems for delivering local authority services, with only the tip of the iceberg having been explored so far.

‘It could play a key role in engaging many more people in our democratic processes, and helping to build understanding and respect between service provider and user, and between many diverse groups of people,’ he said, at the publication of Cutting the Wires, a new report from think-tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN).

‘Altogether mobile technology offers a win, win, win situation: a win for the service provider; a win for the service user; and a win for a more inclusive society.’

The NLGN report cites case studies, including school truancy alert systems, vehicle location, street enforcement and identity management, as practical examples of mobile systems that are already in use in local government, and which can be copied and expanded.

Technologies such as phones, wireless internet connections and PDAs can all play a key role in providing services to citizens and should all be looked at as tools for use by most front-line local authority officers, it says.

Ovum local government analyst Peter Clarke says it is good to hear a government minister endorse mobile technology, but adds there needs to be more explanation on how systems might be funded.

‘The business case for mobile is well made, but I need further convincing that the funding is there to back it,’ he said.

‘It would be extremely useful if some sort of exercise was carried out to work out just how much money would be needed.’