E-Productivity

Annual Report 2003 - 2004

E-Productivity

The main role of the E-Productivity unit is to provide support and act as an enabler to all NPCC activities. This unit would identify and assess Open Source applications that can help in improving productivity.

Promotion of Open Source Software

The promotion of open source software is a major objective in our agenda of Applying ICT for Productivity Improvement. ICT can contribute significantly in productivity growth. However its exploitation is possible only if the software applications are easily accessible. The cost of proprietary software is often high and may have a deterrent effect among certain users. The NPCC is therefore promoting the use of open source software as they are either free or available at a modest cost and moreover they can be developed to suit the specific needs of users, at the level of organizations, industries and communities, using the internet which is indeed the cheapest medium of communication.

Leading by example

(a) Open Source planner

Since February 2004, the NPCC is using an online planner, using Open Source software. The software, which is available free on the internet, has been downloaded and adapted to NPCC’s specific needs. Several authorized users can access the planner simultaneously, from their own personal computer, either for consultation or for data input. This tool helps significantly in project-planning and resource management as well as the electronic filing of all data. Whereas the results are very positive, no major financial investment was made. This planner is an example of how an Open Source software can improve the efficiency of an organization.

(b) NPCC Web Server

The NPCC website, www.npccmauritius.com, has been completely redesigned and is hosted locally on a server which is fully based on Open Source software. The whole system works on Debian Linux and the applications of the server on Apache. All the contents are managed as a database, using MySQL. The programming language is PHP. These technologies give ample dynamism to the website which can be updated on a continuous basis. Gathering, dissemination and sharing of data, information and knowledge, which are major functions of the NPCC, become thus easier.

E- Benchmarking

Based on the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria of self-assessment and benchmarking, an e-benchmarking software has been developed in collaboration with the VCILT (Virtual Centre for Innovative Learning Technology) of the University of Mauritius. The software is hosted on the NPCC web server and was demonstrated during a workshop on benchmarking for senior executives by Richard Barton and Robert Mann, two experts funded by the CFTC (Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation). The software can be used by interested organizations upon request and after preliminary training to carry out self-assessment and benchmark against other organizations having gone through the self-assessment exercise.

National Productivity and Competitiveness Council

7th floor, St James Court

St. Denis Street, Port Louis.

Tel: (230) 211 8118, Fax: (230) 211 8056

Email: natpro@intnet.mu

Web Address: www.npccmauritius.com