STM Projects
We outline below selected examples of STM projects covering
- Technology planning and implementation
- ICT policy and regulation
- ICT industry and business development.
NBN planning for aged care facilities
Australia’s National Broadband Network has the potential to transform how multi-site businesses manage their communications. However, careful planning is required to ensure that all services migrating to the NBN are appropriately supported.
STM was engaged by an operator of around 30 aged care facilities, including independent living units and residential care, to review communications requirements, how they would be supported in an NBN environment, and prepare a plan for their migration to the NBN. A particular focus of the work was planning for enhancements to ensure resiliency of critical alarm and emergency call systems under a range of adverse scenarios.
A new funding and disclosure system
Legislative changes resulted in new disclosure requirements for election donations and expenditures by NSW election candidates and political parties. A new system to support these processes and enhance previous functionality was planned as a two phase project over two years, for which STM undertook requirements and tender preparation and evaluation, contract negotiation and project management inputs. The system was contracted comprising configured commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software based on the Salesforce platform, with some custom modules, in an Agile development environment.
iVote® online voting system
The New South Wales Electoral Commission’s iVote® system is an electronic voting system offering online and telephone voting, first used in 2011.
For the 2015 state general election, the iVote® system was substantially enhanced, with a new core voting system (the software component that encrypts, transmits, stores and protects votes) and verification process. An iVote® refresh process resulted in further improvements to security and the verification system for the 2019 state general election.
The system is to meet legislated requirements for technology assisted voting, with eligibility restricted to electors planning to be interstate or overseas on election day, living more than 20 kilometres from a polling place, with impaired vision or disabled such that they are unable to vote without assistance.
For the 2015 NSW general election the iVote® system comprised three major components hosted and managed separately
- Core voting system
- Registration and credential management
- Verification service.
To protect voting information, voter and vote data is encrypted and distributed within these three components such that breach of two of the three systems would be required for an attacker to successfully manipulate or identify votes.
In March 2015, over 280,000 votes were cast via the iVote® system, making it the largest online government election globally to date. The vast majority were by voters declaring they would out of the state on election day.
As part of the NSW Electoral Commission iVote project team, an STM consultant provided planning, strategy, project management, procurement and operational management support throughout the two-year development and implementation project.
Rural Fire Service paging system upgrade
For the NSW Rural Fire Service: Project planning, including preparation of a business case and establishment of governance and management framework in accordance with its Project Management Office requirements, for upgrade of the Emergency Services paging network. This network is used for call out of volunteers to attend bush fires and other emergencies. The project was subject to a Gateway Review process as a prerequisite to funding, and commencement was delayed pending management restructure of NSW Emergency Services agencies.
A strategy for Tasmania’s ICT industry
For Tasmania’s Intelligent Island Board: preparation of a draft strategy and recommended programs for development of a competitive, sustainable Tasmanian IT&T industry. Involved extensive consultation with stakeholders in the industry, and recommendations of initiatives in respect of telecommunications infrastructure, research, education and training, industry support and marketing, as well as activities aimed at establishment of world leading excellence in specific areas.
Future spectrum demand for broadcasting
For the Australian Communications and Media Authority: Future spectrum demand by Australia’s broadcasting industry, taking account of introduction of digital technologies in television and radio broadcasting. This project was one of a number commissioned by the ACMA to provide input to planning for future spectrum needs across a range of demand areas.
Development strategy for Northern Territory’s ICT Industry
Review of government support programs for the development of the Northern Territory ICT industry, and preparation of an industry development strategy for the NT Department of Corporate and Information Services.
Strategies for public asset use in broadband services
Broadband telecommunications strategic planning for the former NSW Office of Information Technology under a program to use public assets in the delivery of services. Such assets include rail corridors, radio sites and strategically located public buildings which could provide a foundation for broadband network infrastructure.
Patient Administration System replacement
A major private sector mental health operator needed to replace its legacy patient administration system. STM undertook requirements analysis, tender documentation and evaluation, contract negotiation and project management of the implementation of the new PAS across two hospitals in the group.
Review of Patient Recall and Information System Program
For the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing: Review and recommendations for future development of the PIRS program to fund IT and telecommunications supporting Aboriginal medical services throughout Australia.
IT system procurement for the NSW Electoral Commission
Procurement management for a major systems acquisition for the NSW Electoral Commission. This included requirements analysis, research of technical options, business case development, preparation of RFQ documentation, establishment of project governance and management frameworks and liaison with NSW Procurement on tendering requirements and with NSW Treasury on Gateway Reviews as required by the NSW Government.