Global Objective:
To promote international best practices in software development within the Commission and all Institutions of ECOWAS.

Program Achievements thus far:

i) Continued deployment of Microsoft Enterprise software
ii) Development of the Intranet system
iii) Deployment of the Collaborative Intranet System at the Commission
iv) Deployment of the Unified Communication System

Program Justification:
i) Decision establishing the Community Computer Centre 06/86.
ii) Strategic Goals and Objectives G.5.2.2 – Put in place a result-based management system in all areas, particularly in procurement, asset management, general administration, human resources, finance, budgeting, conferences, communication and in information technology
iii) Strategic Goals and Objectives G.5.2.4 – Upgrade and update the existing facilities to a world class enterprise information system (EIS), (information technology infrastructure, library, archiving, documentation process, mailing system and security), for enhanced informed exchange and productivity.

Program Activities:

i) Continued deployment of Collaborative Intranet System
ii) Deployment/Rollout of SAP
iii) Deployment of Applications on the Intranet
iv) System support for Trade Information System, RVAIS and other Sectoral database and data Centre operation.
v) Maintenance of existing systems

Performance Indicators:

i) Functionality of Intranet/Applications Systems
ii) Satisfaction levels of users on accessing the Intranet and deployed support systems/applications

SUB-PROGRAM 2.1:   DEVELOPMENT OF ECOWAS SUPPORT SYSTEM

a) Systems Development Activities (Intranet, Document Management, Work-Flows system, etc)

Capacity development for the implementation of the following development activities to address some vital IT needs indicated in the Maxwell Stamp consultants’ report and also listed below on office support technology that will yield major cost savings and are not addressed by SAP or wholly by the Intranet project. The development will be done through the use of open-source solutions which can be replicated in other ECOWAS Institutions/agencies.

i) E-Archiving
ii) Transport Management
iii) Building Management
iv) Security
v) Administration
vi) Document Management

b) Systems Development Activities (Intranet, Document Management, Work-Flows system, etc)

Acquisition of Open Source tools for the implementation of the following:
i) E-Archiving
ii) Transport Management
iii) Building Management
iv) Security
v) Administration
vi) Document Management

c) ECOWAN and RVAIS development Activities

Regional Vehicle Administration System (RVAIS) is aimed at providing an integrated and harmonised Vehicle Administration IT solution that will enable free movement across Member States as well as enhance trade across the region. RVAIS has been adopted as a regional project by the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO) and it has been presented to the ECOWAS Committee on Transport and Trade facilitation. The project document has been written with an expression of interest being sent to the private sector for funding.

The establishment of an ECOWAS Wide Area Network (ECOWAN) designed to link all ECOWAS Institutions, Agencies, Projects and government offices in Member States in a wide area network capable of carrying data, sound and video.

Successful completion and validation of the study, the ECOWAS ICT Ministers have accepted and adopted ECOWAS as the e-Governance platform for the region and adopted an institutional framework for project implementation.

A main component of the ECOWAN project is the development of applications, the priority applications have been identified as flagship applications and these are those relating to the general needs of the community and those required by Institutions and technical departments for facilitating the conduct of their activities. They are mainly the applications to be used in establishing an ECOWAS information management system and the components of the Trade Information Systems (TIS) and the Opportunities Management System (ECOBIZ), the Agricultural Information System (AGRIS), the Administrative Service Information System (AMIS), etc.

In line with the management directives during budget defense in 2010, the ECOWAN and RVAIS project has been handed over to the Telecommunication and Transport Directorates respectively to lead while the Centre gives technical support.

Participation in the WARSO & RVAIS Development Activities

SUB-PROGRAM 2.2:    ACQUISITION AND SYSTEMS SUPPORT
a) Renewal and Support Fees for License

• Microsoft Enterprise Agreement
• Microsoft Exchange Online Mail System
• Manage-Engine Help-Desk/Monitoring System
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b) Acquisition of Systems/Licenses

The following Enterprise systems are to be acquired during the year:

i. Enterprise Anti-Virus
An enterprise anti-virus system to ensure that all systems are adequately protected

ii. Trados Language Memory System
In order to facilitate the prompt translation of document and enhance the speed of support of the Language Unit, the Trados system is to be acquired. The system increases the turn-over of translated document by making use of phrases of stored translated document in turning out machine assisted translation thus increasing the rate of turn-over of translated documents. The cost of acquisition includes the licenses, implementation and training (cost of trainer only)