.Net wins Beehive foothold

By RICHARD WOOD

The Immigration Service is to spend more than $1 million to shift its IT systems to web-based technology using Microsoft's . Net software.

The approach is a move from a "client-server" to a "services-based architecture" and will enable immigration staff to make more services available to the public through web browsers.

The deal involves IT service provider EDS and is a feather in the cap for Microsoft, which gets its first significant Government use of . Net.

The three-year migration to the new system began at the end of last year and involves several projects.

The service will rework its existing software so it can be used both from a browser or under Microsoft Windows.

IT director Rob Bolton said much of the change was about providing more "client-facing functionality": at present most applications were for staff use.

Bolton said there would be more web-based services "for migrants, visitors, as well as for third parties such as consultants, educational institutes and employers".

Part of the plan will deal with security and connectivity with other Government departments.

"We're looking to electronically verify information with other agencies. We can do that through web services."

Existing applications are written in Microsoft's Visual Basic and use SQL Server as a database. The main application is used to process visa and permit applications.

The total cost will depend on a number of projects from various budget areas. But Bolton said more than $1 million available would be available over the three-year programme "to establish the platform and structural side of the architecture".

Microsoft application platform manager Tom Crozier said the immigration programme would provide an excellent reference site for other departments and enterprises to show what . Net could do.

Crozier said the site would be an example of how . Net could deliver value by providing a project-by-project approach within a flexible architecture "rather than have a long term 12 to18-month project where the value could not be seen until the end".

The Immigration Service system has 700 users in 18 offices in New Zealand and 15 overseas.

It runs more than 50 Windows servers.