The Civil Engineering Department (CED) at the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) today (Tuesday, April 4, 2006), officially launched its second major electronic service called E-Site, which will facilitate customers to apply online to a range of inspection services provided by the department. The introduction of E-Site follows the major success of the recently launched E-Permit service. The E-Site project will be implemented in two phases and the entire project will be operational in approximately 45 days from the initial launch.
E-Site is designed to provide a state-of-the-art solution for the routine processes of site inspections carried out by inspectors at the Civil Engineering Department. This system provides an end-to-end solution for logging requests for inspections, accepting these requests, job allocations, field inspections, reporting and reviewing at the back office.
E-Site is a hi-tech web-based system that incorporates a sophisticated work-flow engine along with database applications. The geo-spatial map data extracted from the CED’s Geographical Information System (GIS) and the schedule and inspection information is sent via GPRS to the latest PDA devices which are used by site inspectors. Similarly, the inspection data will be updated upon completion, without requiring inspectors to return to their office. Inspectors will also be equipped with portable printers which will allow them to provide hard copy reports and violation fines on the spot.
Nazek Hussain Al Sabbagh, Director, Civil Engineering Department, said, “The launch of E-Site reflects CED’s commitment towards providing customers the highest level of electronic services, which will not only result in significant savings of time and effort for the customer, but will also enhance the productivity and efficiency of the Department. The overwhelming success of the E-Permit service has also been a factor that has driven us to introduce an online service like E-Site.”
“The use of latest PDA devices that are complete with accurate map images will drastically reduce the turnaround time of each inspector, by minimizing actual travel time and repetitive back-office paperwork. It will also reduce the time taken to search for site locations,” she added.
The Civil Engineering Department will be able to process requests on the same day for completed applications submitted online before 7:30 am.
The E-Site service comprises four elements – Inspection Requests System (Internet based), Task Allocation System (Intranet application), Mobile Inspection System (GPRS Wireless Network) and Reviewing/Reporting System (Intranet Network).
“We are confident that E-Site will prove to be extremely beneficial to all our customers, and we are working towards introducing additional e-services in the coming months which will further underline our focus on high quality customer service,” concluded Al Sabbagh.
