Richard Steel

Signing off

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:01:00 GMT

It is time to retire my Blog

Today is my last working for Newham and so, for now at least, after well over 300 entries since starting at the beginning of 2007, it's time to retire my Blog.

Under a cloud

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:23:00 GMT

Defined what we mean by “Unified Communications"

Wednesday started with a self-inflicted headache after I attended, on Tuesday evening, 2e2's annual reception hosted by Lord St. John of Bletso on the House of Lords Terrace. I'd decided to leave the car behind - bad move - and clearly I overdid the vino tinto!

Continuing my Swan Song

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:04:00 GMT

Digital telephony convergence/ security will also be on the agenda

Geoff asked me to review ICT pay and allowances in the light of the present economic environment, so that's what I've been doing, this week, and have arranged to discuss the prognosis and recommendations with managers next week.

Too much flexibility

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:03:00 GMT

Our recent response to the Digital Britain report

On Monday Glyn Moody wrote in Linux Journal of his having agreed with Microsoft to cancel the planned discussion of the OXML ISO standardisation process.

Reinvigorating public sector unified communications

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:29:00 GMT

We should focus on the long-term UC requirements

There's been a lotin the computer press, this week, about Google's announcement that it will launch its "Chrome Operating System". E.g. "Google OS a worry for Linux".

Mobile Media Is Key

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:56:00 GMT

Capital Ambition’s

Capital Ambition's "London Mobile Portal Event" at Prospero House (241 Borough High Street), on Tuesday, was a "sell-out". There were excellent presentations from Geoff Connell on the PSMP (which I understand is to be rebranded "MyLoBo"), Gill Elderfield on Mobile DirectGov, Gary McFarlane on "Blue Badge Finder" and accessibility, Hans Grefte on ReportIT, and Vince Tooke on TfL's perspective on the future of mobile information services.

Moving on

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:23:00 GMT

A lot can change in a year

Friday's combined Central & Local CIO & CTO Councils meeting was mainly about ICT and the Operational Efficiency Programme. How can we cut 20% from all Government ICT spending?

Dining with the father of the web

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:53:00 GMT

Whatever your views about national ID cards and a�?database state�?, joined-up public sector infrastructure remains a key service enabler

I've had one or two conversations with Microsoft and Buying Solutions colleagues about what was to happen to the PSA09 licensing deal.

Help beat this Microsoftie

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:41:00 GMT

Engage more proactively in driving Government transformation

Here's an interview with Phil Pavitt, who will shortly be moving to the HMRC, which I'm expecting will be one of the most transformative events in Government IT this year, if not decade!

Investing in our future

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:08:00 GMT

Earlier this week, Richard Carde (by teleconference) John Stockwell and I were involved in a discussion with Andre Tytheridge (2e2) about progress in the NTC programme.

Short enough to be a tweet

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:29:00 GMT

It's great to see that Martin Ferguson and others are continuing a lively Socitm Blog. For me, this represents the best means of keeping up-to-date with Society developments, although I also like the format of the new weekly newsletter.

Information, innovation & improvement

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:52:00 GMT

The problem with e-Government was always that Government somehow created the impression that this was the opportunity for a supplier "feeding frenzy" whereas, as I commented on many occasions, the reality should be quite the opposite; it always had to be about rationalisation.

An important customer service channel

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:59:00 GMT

On Tuesday 7th July there's to be a London Public Mobile Portal event at Prospero House (241 Borough High Street), which will include presentation of the TfL/ Newham Public Sector Mobile Portal (PSMP), with Phil Pavitt as a keynote speaker.

All change

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:27:00 GMT

The racing at Le Mans was great, with Peugeot diesels winning for the first time, and a great performance from a new Aston Martin LMP1 Team, but my travel arrangements were a bit of a disaster.

Another sleepless night please

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:48:00 GMT

24 hour challenges of the government CIO

We're used to the occasional story of how, after 50 years, a war-time letter eventually finds its way to the intended recipient. Well I think I've just experienced the e-equivalent.

Musical chairs

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:39:00 GMT

Top CIOs on the move in London

Congratulations, Phil Pavitt on your move to the HMRC. Thanks for the great work at TfL. I hope we can sustain and build on that, and continue a productive relationship in your new role

Taking a break from strategy...to strategise

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:35:00 GMT

I'm on a mission to evangelise ICT as our saviour from recession

I see that the Government has committed to funding research into ultra-fast broadband.

Safety in numbers

Fri, 29 May 2009 23:26:00 GMT

Sad news and the positive side of insourcing - it works

Today, along with a number of other Newham colleagues, I was at the funeral of Paul Bull, our Printing & Reprographics Manager who had bravely fought cancer for the last 14 months.

Onwards and upwards

Wed, 27 May 2009 23:12:00 GMT

The budget is looking pretty healthy

Well, I completed a first draft of updated Newham ICT Strategy, yesterday, but I'm anticipating a lot of feedback requiring more work on detail...

Please don't put the kibosh on transformation

Wed, 20 May 2009 09:53:00 GMT

Transformational Government strategy must be guided by an over-arching vision of public sector security

The Cabinet Office published its annual Transformational Government Progress Report, last week. It has produced this useful poster to highlight examples of progress made in 2008. I do think that last year saw some real progress, but I am by no means convinced that progress is yet sustainable.

Not 'nil points...'

Sun, 17 May 2009 08:49:00 GMT

Well done to Newham’s own Jade Ewen

There were several good news tidbits to round-off my week.

More engagement please

Wed, 13 May 2009 23:31:00 GMT

We also discussed “Turkeys and Christmas�?

There are often complaints about late distribution of papers for meetings but, I'm sorry, Andrew - 1.00am for a meeting later in the morning takes the biscuit! :-)

Showing off Newham Dockside

Tue, 12 May 2009 19:44:00 GMT

It’s nice to be able to show-off such a nice working environment

On Monday I attended an Equality Impact Assessment Training course, in the City, with other colleagues from across Newham and Waltham Forest Councils.

Back to the council

Mon, 11 May 2009 10:20:00 GMT

I'm now officially back with the Council

On Thursday, I took a day's holiday to attend Linda Griffith's funeral. It was "standing room only" at the moving service for this lovely lady who will be sadly missed by many, many people.

A new deal for the public sector

Thu, 07 May 2009 09:17:00 GMT

Hurrah! This afternoon, Andrew Gibson 'phoned, as he promised he would, to let me know that the new Public Sector Licensing Agreement with Microsoft had just been signed.