TRANSFORMING THE CITY - VERWALTUNGSDIGITALISIERUNG
Interview with Jürgen Pruss, Chief Technology Officer Government at Dell Technologies Germany and expert in the development of strategic IT solutions for the public sector, on the topic of requirements for eGovernment, the digitalisation of administration and schools (K12) and the support of public authorities with modern IT infrastructures.
Expectations of the public administration in terms of digitalisation have steadily increased in recent years. At the latest after observing the federal election and the repeatedly announced renewal of the state, many people are aware that the digitalisation of administration is more urgent than ever. Other countries are often far ahead of us in this regard. Digital transformation in cities and municipalities can also lead to cost savings and greater satisfaction among citizens. In the interview with Jürgen Pruss, we talk today about video consultations, reducing bureaucracy, digitalisation measures and the optimisation of administrative processes.
DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Most people still associate public administration in Germany with short opening hours, long queues and extensive paper forms. How do you assess the current level of digitalisation in the public sector?
Jürgen Pruss: Germany is still one of the stragglers when it comes to administrative digitalisation. Within the EU, we are lagging far behind in one of the last places. But that doesn’t mean that the public sector isn’t capable of it. During the pandemic, German authorities often proved how quickly they can digitalise processes and structures. In addition, federal states and municipalities are making good progress in implementing the Online Access Act (OZG). For example, since September, pupils and students have been able to apply for BAföG benefits via a digital assistant.
The so-called “one for all” principle also means that digital services are made available more quickly across the board, as they are developed in one federal state and then offered to all federal states and municipalities for use. We should now take advantage of the digitalisation momentum created by the pandemic to eliminate the remaining deficits and finally offer citizens comprehensive online services and make workflows more efficient.
DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Where do you see the greatest added value of a digital municipality – for citizens, but also for local companies?
Jürgen Pruss: Even long-time digital sceptics now confidently pull out their smartphones to access menus in restaurants via QR code or check in at an event. This has also increased expectations for digital services in public administration. Anyone who routinely works remotely with colleagues and prefers video consultations to a trip to the doctor’s office doesn’t want to have to appear in person at an authority to register themselves or their vehicle.