The Challenge
The official report of proceedings of the House is a core Office function, running on the Hansard Production System (HPS). In early 2013 the Office realised its system needed an overhaul – under performance and inconsistent output limited its use. The document automation and conversion functionality was overly complex and built on outdated Microsoft Word technology.
The Solution
Datacom’s proven track record in government projects and expertise in delivering Business Automation systems built on SharePoint were key in our selection. We proposed a solution that provided an extendable, user-friendly and reliable architecture to service the long-term future of HPS. The foundation was built on the same infrastructure and platform as Parliament’s new OurHouse Intranet (built in partnership with Datacom).
Datacom’s assessment of HPS requirements and user stories were mapped to the functionality provided ‘out of the box’ from SharePoint 2013. The solution was designed using ‘configuration before customisation’ methodology; highly extendible and an excellent fit. It also maximises the technology investment, providing a consistent user experience and minimising additional infrastructure and licensing costs.
“As project sponsor, I found Datacom fantastic to work with. The new Hansard Production System was delivered on time, on budget and to our specifications.”
David Wilson - Office of the Clerk
Results
- Faster and more reliable publication of Hansard, which better meets MP’s needs
- Latest generation of SharePoint 2013 functionality including Document Automation, Scheduling and Task Management, Search, and Office Integration
- Relies on a modest but high-performing infrastructure footprint already provisioned for Parliament Intranet
- Hansard users have a fully integrated solution that automates the current business process, while enabling users and administrators to manually intervene where necessary
Technologies delivered
- Hansard Production System
- SharePoint 2013
- Integration with Parliament’s Electronic Document Management System
The Partnership
The key to building and maintaining a strong partnership with the Office lies in our ability to communicate effectively through peer-aligned engagement, building a high level of trust. Datacom worked proactively with the Office to ensure a cohesive partnership and the advocacy of ICT services with the system’s end users.