Insights

Introduction 

Complicated processes and slow service have been the bane of Philippine government agencies for years. Why else would we find ‘fixers’ loitering around public offices, promising faster transaction times? However, tolerating such practices is neither sustainable nor acceptable. Continuing to allow this workaround in front of a digitally savvy and socially aware populace will get your government office called out and cancelled.

If you don’t want to tarnish your agency’s reputation, addressing why the process is slow in the first place is the right solution. In this case, the common denominator is outdated legacy systems, which you can resolve by hiring reliable IT system integrator companies in the Philippines.

How exactly do these IT companies help your agency, and how can you find the right contractor? This article by InfoBahn Communications, Inc. can help you learn more.

System Integrator Companies: What Do They Offer? 

IT system integrators build computing systems, combining hardware, software, networking, and storage solutions to create a unified infrastructure for your agency. Experts assess your current processes, define technical requirements, and build an integration plan tailored to your needs and public service demands.

Integrator companies make the gradual transition from legacy systems to more efficient systems easier, as they will help you curate prefigured components and off-the-shelf software to replace features that do not serve your office anymore. They will also ensure that all these elements function efficiently and reliably.

When your systems and processes are integrated and running smoothly, they will be reflected in your constituents’ feedback. People who avail themselves of your services will no longer complain; rather, they will praise your agency for its efficiency and reliability. This positive opinion will bolster public trust in your office and empower you to fulfill your agency's mission to serve the people.

Why You Should Hire an IT System Integrator Company for Your Philippine Government Office  

IT system integrators help improve your IT systems, delivering a range of benefits for your agency. From supporting you with compliance to managing your data, these are the advantages you enjoy when you work with experts:

Automates Processes  

Some steps do not need to be done manually, especially in today's digitalized world. Thanks to advanced hardware and software, government transactions such as permit applications or license renewals can be more efficient by automating parts of the process. For instance, automatically routing a ticket to the relevant department, queueing priorities, and processing data. Storing citizen information is also faster when you have a system that automatically saves data to secure storage.

The role of your integrator is to make sure that each technology you use for automation accumulates in a cohesive whole. The SI will ensure that if you need to switch from one system to another, you'll follow an orderly workflow where all the automated steps are integrated with tasks that you still need to perform manually.

Smooths Out Workflow  

Agencies require constant communication among departments to allow for efficient information exchange and collaboration. The IT integrator will first sit down with your office to understand and assess your workflow, then connect systems so each staff member can access what they need and communicate with co-workers seamlessly. 

To illustrate, let’s say a citizen visits your office to apply for a Barangay Clearance. Your front desk staff may request the citizen to fill out a digital request form. We picture the system as digital, as it helps process data faster and more simply than manually written information. The data gathered from the citizen will be sent to the records department to confirm the person’s identity and track record, and then transferred to the document processing department for the release of the clearance. For this workflow to be seamless, you need an expert who understands each component and integrates them so you get the best results.

Reduces Errors  

When your agency uses different systems for each task, manual operations such as data entry and information retrieval can be susceptible to errors. A system integrator brings all the steps together, eliminating the need for your staff to switch between programs or computers. 

When you prevent errors, you also save your office time, money, and resources. Mistakes that need to be corrected will add work to your staff, prompting them to use work equipment and even requiring overtime, which will translate into additional operational expenses. Meanwhile, a dissatisfied citizen you’re serving might take to social media to air out their grievances, resulting in your department doing damage control — time that may have been better spent on more essential tasks.

Boosts Public Trust  

Operating across disparate systems can be costly because, without integration, processing transactions will be slow and inefficient. This inefficiency is what many Filipinos experience from many government agencies, resulting in a lack of public trust. Integrating your system, eliminating redundancies, and making processes faster and more reliable make you a catalyst for change, which the public seeks. When you scale this improvement, faith in the government offices will gradually be restored.

Aside from creating a unified system, having an integrator company on board allows you to champion transparency and accountability in your office. That’s because when you digitalize your processes, it’s easier to track who did what, when, and how. The fact that your staff cannot rig the system that easily reinforces accountability, attention to detail, and competency among your ranks. When your staff and your system are at their peak condition, it’s the public that benefits the most, while your agency enjoys a positive reputation.

Ensures Compliance  

Integrated systems make it easier to acquire, manage, and store data. The storage component, of course, should be as secure as possible. Otherwise, you will find your office violating the Data Privacy Act and other implementing rules and regulations that aim to protect sensitive citizen data.

With an IT system integrator, you can establish on-premises and cloud storage solutions, protected by reliable network security and backed up multiple times. When the regulating body visits your office, you will have the confidence to show your existing system and even earn accolades for your efforts. Ultimately, the public’s faith in your office will continue to improve.

Conclusion 

Public offices should take advantage of technology to improve their operations and increase efficiency and productivity. However, relying on IT systems without properly integrating them into your workflow might backfire. 

You need to hire an IT system integrator company in the Philippines to ensure that you're using your systems in the most efficient way possible. By relying on these experts to unite your disparate tools into a unified infrastructure, you allow your agency to focus on more essential tasks, such as making your constituents’ lives easier and more convenient.

If you want to learn more about how third-party teams can help improve IT systems, our experts at InfoBahn are ready to provide support. Contact us today to discuss how our services can improve your processes.