Executive Directors Report to Council 20/08/05
Overview
The AGM and related activity was a significant part of the last period, and feel that it went smoothly. We are getting under way with several significant projects and this is ramping up the workload. We will need additional people to ensure we deliver the outputs that our project sponsors expect. InternetNZ continues to develop into a stronger organisation, and we are seeing results from our efforts in building industry and government relations. Our Auckland office is open, and we have limited video conferencing set up.
Staff
Now Isabel has had a chance to settle in we are benefitting from real synergy and a team that has energy and initiative. We meet once a week to ensure that we are all on the same page and to share ideas. I am developing a Position Description for a new team member. This will be a senior tole with a focus on research. We are using part time temps to cover assignments such as the ISP database update. This makes more sense that employing a broadly skilled person and expecting them to perform well in specialized tasks.
Website
The Interim web site was launched on July 30 to coincide with the AGM, and work on the new web site project is about to restart. We are getting mixed comments on the website. All agree it is better than the old one, and the vast majority like it. We acknowledge there is much work to do, in particular restructuring and standardizing all significant content. We will maintain access to all old content. We are thankful that we have the part time services of Stuart Anderson looking after the structure and Dean Elliott working with Gale on loading and revising content. One other thing we need to watch, is where there is InternetNZ content on other sites, rather than just a link. One example is on www.netsafe.org.nz As we come across these we will log them and update them. Please let us know of any you come across.
Open Exchange
SLOX is running well, delivering both our IMAP mail repository and the wide range of services on the portal. Training in configuration and use is an issue. We expect to resolve this as Novell and their partner Asterisk develop training material. As we learn more, we uncover more and better functions. At present we are using a range of clients to access the repository. I am evaluating options to standardize this area.
Servers and Networks
John Vorstermans continues his superb work. Our new servers are bedded in and we are using the old servers to provide test beds and a firewall. System reliability and performance is top level. We have placed councillor access in the DMZ, and will provide SMTP capability in that zone. The temporary wireless access point is now more secure, and will be effective until we are ready to replace it. The password is ‘*****’ We also have Cafenet access, and Woosh works well (only 115kb on our service plan though!) from the office.
Auckland Office
We have opened our Auckland Office. We are sub-letting from the Internet Safety Group, at an annual rental of $2500. The conference room, projector and other facilities will allow us to easily run meetings in Auckland. Councillors are welcome to use the office as a base when on InternetNZ business. Connection to the Internet is Wireless through Wired Country. They will provide telephone access also. John V is setting up the firewall so we can have a VPN linking the offices. Our point to point video conferencing unit is installed and working, but we need to tweak the settings to get acceptable sound quality.
New Equipment
Apart from the usual things needed to fit out the Auckland office, and the video conferencing equipment ($400 per unit!!), we have purchased a mimio electronic whiteboard (www.Mimio.com) . Depending on shipping I will be able to demonstrate this at the council meeting.
Office Processes
As the office grows and matures, we need to formalize processes. Some of these will affect councillors and committees. We will ensure that as these change you will be kept informed. At present the main issue is booking of the meeting room, and shared equipment. Until we get this automated please check with the office.
Committee Support
We are behind schedule in providing the higher level of service promised for the new council. This is largely due to lack of training on SLOX. We expect to launch this service in under two months.
PMO
Gale has continued to develop the Project Management office and we expect to release the new light project management manual in the next two weeks. All significant projects are being tracked by the PMO.
ICTUS
Our work with government, and siblings organizations has highlighted the lack of a meeting point for the 140 or so organizations in the ICT sector. We have drafted a suggestion (attached) to form an umbrella secretariat. Please add any organizations or people you know who should be part of this.
Conclusion
In general we are on target with internal work. All administrative processes are working well, and meeting the needs of the society. We look forward to working with the incoming council and assure the new councillors of our willingness to support their work by reducing the amount of adminitrivia they face, while providing access to the tools and processes needed to be effective.
Appendix
ICTUS (for want of a better name)
<Latin, literally, blow, from icere to strike: the recurring stress or beat in a rhythmic or metrical series of sounds>
The goal: To connect the ICT industry organisations to each other and to government.
Outputs: A strong common voice on points of agreement. A forum to discuss differences, and fast access to the right people to address issues.
Concept: Fragmented representation of the ICT industry is choking progress. While acknowledging that there are distinct interests with some opposing views, the majority of organisations support similar visions for the industry in NZ. The difference in position justifies the existence of many of these bodies. In several cases there is duplication of function and constituency, but it has proved impossible to promote mergers. From a government perspective it is difficult to gain timely and effective communication when there are more than 130 organizations to deal with. From an industry perspective, there is enormous duplication of work and more concerning, gaps in input caused by too many people doing part of the work. A single point of contact is to be created which provides a vertical channel to government and international bodies, while promoting a horizontal link across all ICT organisations.
In the last ten years there have been several false starts in getting significant groups of ICT organisations to work together. Not because of opposition, but lack of will and defined objectives.
To ensure that NZ does not continue to slide in global ranking we need to generate real synergy, with larger organizations sharing resources and developing and delivering smarter strategies, while ensuring that smaller organizations are included and supported.
TODO: We must not create a new structure for ICTUS, as it would just make the current situation worse. Our proposal is to share the workload, under the aegis of a funded leader, reporting to a small committed board of ICT organisation and government people.
ICTUS will not formulate ICT policy. ICTUS will be a conduit.
There are three keys:
1. Support from the major ICT organisations,
2. Support from all government agencies with external ICT policy roles.
3. The right leader
We believe that these three keys need to be addressed now, and the secretariat launched in time to work on the consultation round emanating from the Digital Strategy process.
Following discussion with several parties, we have support for Jim Higgins to take the role as ICTUS leader. Jim has been approached and agrees.
NEXT STEP: meeting to appoint the first board and create a virtual secretariat. Suggested for August 27 in Wellington InternetNZ is willing to provide the initial administrative support for the ICTUS Jim Higgins is willing to lead.
We now need the following organisations (at least & who else?) to agree to support the umbrella.
- ITANZ
- E-Regions
- NZCS
- TUANZ
- Internet Safety Group
- InternetNZ
- The Telecommunication Carriers Forum
- Next Generation Internet
- Consumer
- MED
- NZT&E
- State Services
ICTUS is at a conceptual stage, and will change to ensure it is as effective as possible. The InternetNZ role is to co-ordinate the input and organize the initial work to provide the leader and board with a running start.
Your input is vital. Feel free to forward this message to those who should receive it. My apologies to those I have missed! The intention is to be inclusive.
