A glossary of information and communication technology (ICT) and public sector terms to help suppliers more credibly engage with government.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Services | A wide range of activities such as software development, technical support, training, consulting, and more. These services are typically provided by IT companies, consultants, or other service providers to organisations to help them achieve their technology-related goals. |
| Shared Service Providers | A shared service provider (SSP) is a government entity or organisation that provides administrative, support, and business services to multiple agencies or departments within the same government. The objective of an SSP is to achieve economies of scale and improve efficiency by consolidating and centralizing common support functions, such as human resources, finance, procurement, and information technology. SSPs are typically established as separate entities, with their own governance structures and service level agreements with their customers. |
| Shared Services | The consolidation of business functions or support services from across multiple departments to one dedicated team or department that provides specialised services, such as human resources, finance, information technology, or procurement, to the whole organisation. Can include the provision of coservices by one government entity to one or more other government entities |
| Shared Services | The consolidation of business functions or support services from across multiple departments to one dedicated team or department that provides specialised services, such as human resources, finance, information technology, or procurement, to the whole organisation. Can include the provision of coservices by one government entity to one or more other government entities |
| Shared services | Provision of common services across multiple government entities. These usually include commodifiable services such as human resources, finance, email or procurement. Sometimes delivered at a Whole-of-Government level by a central agency (usually either a dedicated shared services agency or the jurisdiction's finance department), but can also refer to smaller arrangements in which one agency takes on partial responsibility for another's back office functions. |
| SI Services | SI services, also known as systems integration services, refer to the process of bringing together different subsystems or components of an information system and ensuring that they function together as a unified whole. This involves a range of activities, including planning, designing, building, testing, and deploying integrated systems. |
| Simulation | The use of computer software to model and replicate real-world scenarios or systems. This allows organisations to test different scenarios, make predictions, and evaluate the potential impact of changes without having to physically implement them in the real world. Simulation can be used in a variety of fields, such as engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, to optimise processes, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. It can also be used for training purposes, such as flight simulators for pilots, or virtual reality simulations for medical students. |
| SME and Indigenous Procurement | Procurement policies and practices adopted by governments to encourage and support the participation of SMEs and Indigenous businesses in government contracts and tenders. These policies aim to level the playing field for smaller and diverse businesses by providing them with more opportunities to win government contracts. Pro-SME procurement policies often involve setting aside a certain percentage of contracts for SMEs, while Indigenous procurement policies aim to increase the amount of government contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses. |
| Social | The social and cultural factors that may influence a government's operations. This can include factors such as demographic trends, consumer attitudes and beliefs, and cultural norms. |
| Software | A set of instructions or programs that enable a computer or other digital device to perform specific tasks or functions. System software manages and controls computer hardware, and includes operating systems, device drivers, and utility programs. Application software performs specific tasks or functions, such as word processing, spreadsheet analysis, or graphic design. Application software can be further classified into general-purpose software, such as productivity suites, or specialised software, such as computer-aided design (CAD) or video editing software. |