• Government Computer Service Department host its first IT Procurement Network Event
• Event brought together government officials charged with making IT purchasing decision with local and international vendors with a focus on building partnerships to find better IT solutions

GRAND CAYMAN (GIS) – The Computer Services Department (CSD) hosted its first IT Procurement Network Event on Friday 2 March, at the George Town Yacht Club. The event brought a cross section of government workers, who are charged with making IT purchasing decisions, together with local and international IT solution vendors, with the aim of building better partnerships.

“There are a lot of stakeholders involved in the process of finding IT solutions for government entities, and each one has their own set of concerns and objectives that need to be meet,” notes Tia Parrott CSD Support Administrator and event coordinator. “Because there are so many people involved sometimes the communication isn’t as effective as it could be. That’s really what this event is about. It’s about getting everyone talking with each other so we can better understand our needs so we can the best solutions, for the best value.

The event began with the heads of Government’s Computer Services Department, e-Government unit and Central Procurement Office updating the audience on strategic goals for IT and e Government as well as developments in the procurement process. The Manager of the Treasury Department’s EPS reporting unit also served as a panelist for an open Q&A session.

Commerce Minister, Hon. Joseph Hew congratulated CSD for the success of the event. “Hosting this event was a forward thinking approach on the part of the Department and I applaud them for that. It fostered productive dialogue between private sector IT vendors and public sector IT stakeholders, that will lead to solutions that will benefit the people of the Cayman Islands,” comments Minister Hew.

“We’re really pleased with the conversations that took place,” says Ms. Parrott. “The discussions that took place helped to bring some clarity to some concerns and issues each stakeholder has faced, and gave us some perspective on how we can improve as well.”

The department plans to host another networking event later this year.

Captions:

1. Computer Services Department employees, Tia Parrott, Chanel Martinez, and Clara Smith welcome participants to the event.
2. Attendees gather to listen to the presenters.
3. Panel members respond to attendees questions, in the open Q&A portion of the event
4. An attendee poses a question to the panel
5. Participants spends time networking