Data sharing gains flexibility

New content management IT improves information sharing for Department of Transport division

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Vosa) has introduced content management software to improve data sharing internally and with other public bodies.

The Department for Transport division found the amount of policy and administrative documentation was creating information overload for staff.

David Price, Vosa egovernment manager, says providing a range of road licensing, testing and enforcement services meant field inspectors had to carry paper-based manuals that were cumbersome and difficult to keep up to date.

‘The manual is 28 chapters in five volumes and had to be carried around in the boot of the inspectors’ car,’ said Price.

Vosa wanted to manage document lifecycles to ensure data is current, and establish an author and approval procedure.

Consultancy Atos Origin installed content management software from vendor Stellent, to replace an under-used intranet that was inaccessible in the field, with the new, revamped Vosanet last year.

Price says there has been a five-fold increase in the number of users regularly accessing the intranet. And field staff now have laptops for wireless access.

The agency now plans to extend the use of Vosanet by making access to test results and investigation files easier.

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