Boom expected for Qld IT companies

Queensland IT companies are waiting on more guidelines before they can capitalise on the state's new ICT Action Plan.

The Campbell Newman government announced the plan last week, which allows for better access by SMEs.

One of the fundamental changes is to reduce red tape and make it easier for SMEs to start work on projects, especially those under $500,000.

Now the government needs to put its Action Plan into action, said Maree Adshead, general manager of Queensland systems integrator Aliva, formerly TLC IT.

Adshead was involved in the Action Plan through her role as chair of the technology council of the Chamber of Commerce in Queensland.

Her employer, Aliva, is also "a great example of an SME that got appointed to that whole of government panel" – the company recently revealed that state government work should help it add $10-15 million in revenue.

Adshead told CRN: "These initiatives around SMEs have received great response from the industry."

However, IT companies are still waiting for clear guidelines so they can start "navigating the more relaxed procurement and probity" environment, she added.

There are question marks around, for instance, the announcement that the government will now directly engage SMEs – avoiding tenders – in the provision of "innovative solutions" up to $500,000.

Adshead said: "The questions I have been receiving are: what kind of projects are we talking about? Can that be used to procure products or only services?"

This new policy is expected to replace the former SME Participation Scheme, which gave extra points to bids with greater input from SME suppliers or sub-contractors.

John Grant, chief executive of Data#3, sits on the advisory board for technology minister Ian Walker. Grant told CRN that the new Action Plan was "moving in a positive direction", but putting the Action Plan into action would not necessarily be straightforward.

"The intent is there but the complexity is in the execution. They will be open to creating opportunities for SME companies, so I think that is a start.

"There is a very positive sentiment around exploring different procurement models that would facilitate a better results for SMEs. It is shifting sands but it is moving in a positive direction," added Grant.