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Following is the written reply of the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Hon Sin Chung-kai on Updated Information Systems Strategy implemented by the Immigration Department in the Legislative Council today (June 27):
Question:
Since 1999-2000, the Immigration Department ("ImmD") has been implementing by phases the Updated Information Systems Strategy which embodies 30 different but inter-related projects. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether any projects under the Strategy were/are aimed at reducing the workload of the frontline staff and coping with the increasing cross-boundary passenger traffic; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) of the implementation progress of the Strategy, including whether the projects have been completed or delayed and the reasons for the delay (if any);
(c) whether it has conducted an interim review of the Strategy to examine, among other things, whether the completed projects have achieved their aims; if it has, of the criteria adopted for and results of such a review; if not, the reasons for that; and
(d) as staff unions of ImmD have relayed to the Panel on Security of this Council that the workload of the frontline staff was very heavy, whether it has updated the Strategy to address this situation; if it has, of the relevant details and schedule; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The purpose of implementing the Updated Information Systems Strategy by the Immigration Department (ImmD) is to further enhance the Department's operational efficiency and quality of services mainly through the application and development of advanced information technology, in order to provide better services to the public. Of the 30 projects, the following ones aim at reducing the workload of frontline staff and alleviating the impacts brought about by the ever-increasing passenger traffic:
1. Electronic Visit Permit Application System
* applications for visit permits by Taiwan visitors and the issue of such permits are processed through electronic means
2. Smart Identity Card System
* introduction of digital photographing and fingerprint-taking systems and streamlining of working procedures
3. Control Point System
* introduction of the new document imaging optical character recognition reader and personal digital assistant, etc, to enhance the Department's ability to input passenger information
4. Electronic Service Delivery Support
* the project offers a wider range of information and services to the public via the Government ESD infrastructure, e.g. e-booking of appointment for giving of marriage notice
5. Automated Passenger Clearance and Automated Vehicle Clearance Systems (e-Channel)
* the e-Channel system enables passengers and drivers to enjoy a reliable automated passenger clearance process by leveraging on the smart identity card and biometrics verification technologies
(b) The Updated Information Systems Strategy has made good progress. Please see Annex for details.
(c) The ImmD regularly consults the users and reviews the performance indicators for and effectiveness of the Updated Information Systems Strategy to ascertain whether the projects have achieved the expected results. Through regular work progress reports and discussion, the Department follows up the projects thoroughly and examines the synergy generated by the programme as a whole, in order to seek further improvements.
Reviews indicate that the targets of completed projects have been met. For the five projects mentioned in paragraph (a), they have achieved the following results:
1. providing one-stop services or e-submission and e-booking services with the use of information technology;
2. improving service standards;
3. effectively reducing conflicts between frontline staff and the public as a result of unnecessary waiting or services not being available as quotas have been taken up; and
4. providing better support and working environment for frontline staff.
(d) The ImmD reviews its information systems strategy from time to time to further enhance its operational efficiency, improve the procedures for providing various public services and assist frontline staff with their routine work. The Department will improve the functions of its existing information technology systems and explore new technologies with a view to further alleviating the pressure on frontline staff through utilisation of information technology. For example, the ImmD is considering the installation of more advanced fingerprint scanners to improve the performance of e-Channels. It also plans to study the feasibility of implementing fast-track e-Channels and to extend e-Channels services to frequent visitors to Hong Kong. Following the completion of all the projects next year, the ImmD will review and decide on the future of its information systems strategy in order to meet various service and operational needs. In formulating the strategy, the ImmD will take into consideration views of the public and staff on the existing information systems. It will continue to make use of technology to enhance the Department's operational efficiency and quality of services, with a view to providing better services to the public.
Annex
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Progress of the Updated Information Systems Strategy
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The following projects have been implemented as scheduled:
* Smart Identity Card System
* Business Process Re-engineering
* Electronic Visit Permit Application System and Advance Passenger Processing System (Pilot)
* Infrastructure Upgrade Programme (including four projects)
* Immigration Control Automation System Enhancement Programme (i.e. Control Point System) (including two projects)
* Information Systems (IS) Branch Organisation Restructuring
* Automated Passenger Clearance System and Automated Vehicle Clearance System (including two projects)
* Capability Improvement Programme (including three projects)
* Change Management
* Communication
* Intranet Implementation
* Electronic Service Delivery Support
* Business Information
* Chinese Language Support
* Personnel Support
* Additional Long Range Strategic Studies
The following projects are in progress:
* Application and Investigation Easy System (APPLIES) (formerly known as Processing Automation System Enhancement Programme) (including two projects)
The project consists of 10 separate but inter-related sub-systems to support the operation of more than 10 business areas. Due to its extensive scope and complexity, the design and development of the initial phase of the system took a longer time so as to ensure stable operation of the system when it rolls out. The first phase of the Control and Support Sub-system was implemented in January 2007, about six months behind schedule (mid 2006). The project will be completed in 2008. The ImmD will continue to monitor closely the implementation of the project and have stepped up efforts to avoid unnecessary delay.
* Electronic Records Programme (ERP) (including four projects)
File conversion work is under way. The programme, which has to tie in with the schedule for APPLIES in order to achieve the anticipated synergy, will be completed in 2008.
* Data Warehousing (Management Information System)
The system is being implemented by phases in a building block approach. It is expected to complete in 2008.
Ends/Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:17
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