Online human resource management system unveiled

THE government yesterday unveiled its much-awaited human resource management system (HRMS), marking a significant leap for the civil service in its drive to take its services online.

The new system which will replace its current human resource data management system, SIMPA, is expected to be completed in 18 months' time, according to a press statement from the Public Service Department.

Similar to the Ministry of Defence's Defence Personnel Administration Information System (DefPAIS), HRMS was designed to enable the government's employees to perform various administrative functions online, such as applying for leave, view allowances, performances or arrange training programmes.

Through a standard web browser, any public member can also view vacancies, submit job applications, and be informed of his or her application status.

The HRMS project, which began in 2004 with a requirement study, moved on to phase two in 2006 with a request for proposal through an open tender procedure.

In April this year, Brunei Accenture Group (BAG) Networks was awarded with the task to implement the project. A budget of $1 billion has been allocated under the e-government programme with the aim of promoting effective ICT application in both public and private sectors, raising ICT literacy levels and ensuring there is enough IT-skilled manpower to fuel growth.

According to the Brunei Long Term Development Plan, the shortage of local ICT human resources and heavy reliance of foreign experts had affected the implementation of e-government programmes to some extent.

"The public services has had to tackle challenges associated with the rising expectations of a more affluent population," said Sa Bali Abas, the Director General of the Public Service, during the contract signing ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Berakas, yesterday.

"The development and proliferation of web technologies has also led to a more informed citizenry who has the tendency of comparing the quality of services provided by the government to the best available services offered by the private sector worldwide.

"As custodian of HRMS, the Public Service Department hopes to transform what and how we deliver our services in a manner which will benefit not only more than 40,000 public servants but also to the citizens of the country," he added.

The Brunei Times