7 Other Challenges

The practical standards and procedures needed for sensitive communications and transactions over the Internet - are not yet commonplace in either the government or the private sector, and a number of substantial challenges must be overcome before the technology can be widely and effectively deployed. The following challenges have to be met:

• Interoperability: Agency systems have to work seamlessly with each other, yet current products and implementations suffer from interoperability problems. Ensuring the ability of agency systems to process information from all potential sources in a consistent manner will require some minimum standards and possibly some customisation work.

• Multiple information silos and duplication: Most agencies will already have internal document management systems, and information management policies, and processes. A shared workspace will challenge most existing policies and processes, and where an agency agrees to use it, they may require that staff file documents into both internal document management systems and the shared workspace.

• Scalability: It is not yet known how well this shared workspace will truly scale and interoperate as its use grows.

• Cost: Adoption of the technology may be impeded by the high cost associated with feature-rich collaborative software applications.

• Issue resolution: An effective workspace - at any level - requires well-defined policies and procedures. Establishing such policies will require resolution of a number of sensitive issues in areas such as governance, management of policies and standards, privacy, and how employees will be expected to identify themselves.

• Adoption of new technology: Finally, as with any technology, the success of implementation depends on how well people interact with the system and how well the system is implemented. Thus, agencies will be faced with the challenge of training and involving both users and system administrators in the adoption of a significant new technology.

There is much that must be accomplished in order to support widespread interoperable collaborative services between partners. It is unlikely there can be a "one size fits all" approach to technical solutions, architecture or policy. Rather what may be required is a broad range of solutions to meet individual agency e-business needs.