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Tshwane to spend millions on IT
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PDF The city of Tshwane says it will upgrade and extend its network and general IT equipments in its quest to work smarter.
As the city gears itself up to be one of the biggest in the world, it says that IT will also play a vital role in these regard. The city says it network needs to be upgraded so it can cater for the increased needs.
“The incorporation of the Metsweding District Municipality offices will require upgrading our systems and expanding the fibre-optic cable network so that we are able to operate an integrated system” says the executive mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa.
He further says that in order for the city to function maximally, they have to continue adopting and using new technologies that enhance productivity.
The city also highlighted some of its coming ICT plans for the next financial year during its budget speech.
Apart for expanding its network the city will also construct a call centre estimated to cost almost R13 million in the northern regions of Winterveld which is projected to have three major benefits for the city.
“First, it will propel developments in the impoverished part of the city. Secondly the project will assist the city to compete with other cities in this growing market,” the city says.
Tshwane says it also allocated R50 million for the 2011/12 financial year, R100 million for 2012/13 and R40 million for 2013/14 respectively for the rolling out of the automated meter reading or AMR system over the medium term.
This, the city says will do in part owing to the legislative requirement that all customers consuming 1000 kilowatts per month will have to apply for the AMR system by 2012.
The project the city says the project will involve the full deployment of smart meters to large-scale power users, the establishment of a communications infrastructure, and end-to-end integration into our current operating system.
A phased approach will be adopted, with 1 020 pilot meters being installed during the 2011/12 financial year, 14 160 during the 2012/13 financial year, and the final 4 000 during the 2013/14 financial year.
“Apart from satisfying the requirements of the legislation it is our hope and intention that the AMR rollout will contribute to improving our billing system. The system is generally performing well, except for few worrying instances which receive our attention on a daily basis,” Ramokgopa explained.
