The WA Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) was recently awarded a 2003 Government Technology Productivity Gold Award.
CALM manages more than 24,000,000 hectares of State land, in Australia’s biggest state. 1300 staff work for the Department in 36 separate locations, some very remote. Communication over such a vast area has always been extremely difficult and, even during the 90’s, only 38% of the Department’s remote offices and work centres enjoyed full network services.
To improve this situation, CALM enlisted the services of Alphawest to develop CALMNet and eXchange. As a result of these programs, all staff now have equal access to information and training, through reliable, high-speed links. Web Kiosk services deliver payslips online, and support the process of applying and approving leave applications, while new opportunities are available for distance learning.
Financial benefit to the Department, through this shared telecommunication infrastructure totals a saving of $100,000 achieved in the first year alone, with an annual saving of $62,000 expected in subsequent years.
