Citizens can now fill in a form or make requests for services via the web, through a call centre, or via terminals provided by the council.
"It's all about integrating the back-office systems with the front end," said Richard Gibson, principal IT consultant at Hampshire County Council.
"Previously we were taking a form and sending it via email which only accomplishes the first stage. If you do not tackle the whole process you will not make time and money savings."
The software will save time in completing citizens' requests, and cut costs by standardising processes across the 15 authorities which include Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
Gibson explained that uniting its authorities' development plans saves on costs because the council only has to create one set of forms rather than 15.
The council's Hampshire and Isle of Wight e-government partnership was formed to bid for an extra £2m in funds from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Similar to the government's Pathfinder projects, it is aimed at developing e-government models.
"This is similar to a Pathfinder project, but is a different pot of money," said Gibson.
The council has also lowered its licence costs through the Hampshire and Isle of Wight partnership by purchasing as a group of 15 authorities.
Andy Bailey, marketing director at MetaStorm, explained that the company supplies about 70 local councils with the e-Work application, and that the group buying approach used by Hampshire is common.
"This is an area that pays dividends for local authorities because they can aggregate their spend," he said.
Quelle: vnunet
