The most popular and comprehensive Open Source ECM platform
Let us know more
Open Data: UK Hopes To Serve as Model of Open Government
In the UK efforts are under way to centralize the collection and dissemination of data sets managed by various government agencies. Last month the Cabinet Office created an agency called the Public Data Corporation (PDC) with a charter of increasing accessibility of public information.
Francis Maude, minister of the Cabinet Office, said “Public sector information underpins a growing part of the economy. The technology that is around today allows people to use and re-use this information in new and different ways. The role of government is to help maximise the benefits of these developments. Public sector information underpins a growing part of the economy. The technology around today allows people to use and reuse this information in new and different ways. The PDC will be a center where developers, businesses and members of the public can access data and use it to develop internet applications, inform their business decisions or identify ways to run public services more efficiently.”
UK’s PDC has the potential of serving as a model for other countries in best practices for collecting, managing and providing public access to government-managed information. The hope is that the data sets will be used to create new innovative public services that will be useful to both businesses and private citizens. Another goal of the PDC is to foster a relationship between the public and private sectors where private companies will have an opportunity to embed the data sets within commercial applications, and government will gain access to tools and data analysis which they otherwise would not be able to accomplish on their own.
Edward Davey, UK Business Minister, pointed out other benefits of the PDC:
- Will define a consistent means for accessing public data
- Will drive innovation in the use and presentation of public data
- Will introduce consistencies and best practice across all agencies for how to best handle public data
- Will identify new ways for government to effectively use data and how government can provide better and cheaper services
- Will work closely with private industry and provide opportunities for private companies to invest in the PDC
