e-Government | Bilbomatica

The new technologies and Information Systems infrastructures have made Internet become a new service channel between the Government and the Citizens/Companies. These last years, the promotion of certifying authorities, e-signature and new regulations (*) allow these telematic services to be as complete and valid as traditional hard copy processing.

(*) Law 11/2007, of 22 June, Electronic access of citizens to Public Services”

The wide percentage of homes and companies with Internet high speed connection, the spread of digital certificates such as the e-Identity Card, the ONA Card (Electronic health card with citizen use issued by the Basque Government) or the use of entity certificates between companies by the Tax Authorities, and initiatives as KZGunea, have succeeded in achieving not only a high percentage of citizens and companies with access to on line services, but an information society which everyday demands them more strongly.

We are witnessing the appearance of a new concept of “On Line Government” which allows citizens to fulfil different processes without having to move to the Government’s offices, as services are available through: electronic offices, telematic applications, digital identity, digital files, on line payments, electronic notifications, certifying services, services oriented architectures (SOA), and so on…

The e-Government or Electronic Administration is a challenge and a unique opportunity to modernize public services.

It is an opportunity because it allows:

New and better services for the citizens’ attention (immediately, without travelling or time tables).
New communication channels with citizens.
An improvement of the internal efficiency of the Government, focusing on citizens and lessening efforts and processing times.
Improvement of the quality of the Government’s work.
A more direct participation of the citizen.
An immediate and close communication with the citizen.

It is a challenge because it involves:

A change and internal adaptation to new ways of working.
The creation and use of new tools.
A bigger demand and control on the citizens’ side.
Adaptation of already existing laws to new regulations.

Bilbomática, as Software Engineering leader in the Basque Country, has been already participating for several years in the Design, Development and Deployment of e-Government Solutions, and in this sense, it gathers multiple experiences and relevant projects.

Bilbomática is partner of IZENPE (Basque Entity for Electronic Certification Services) for several years already.

This experience allows betting on an e-Government model provided with multiple own products and services which will allow each Government to incorporate, step by step, the necessary items to become a complete on line Government. Each Government following its own speed, maintaining its present computer systems and according to its priorities.