Single Window Systems
In the OIC Member States
52
Table 10: Assessment Framework
Implementation level reflects the different implementation stages of a
Single Window effort. SWs are long-term developments and it can take
many years to move from a political vision to a fully operational IT
supported SW. Seven different stages are defined
 No Single Window initiative/plan
 Single Window Initiative but no formal vision yet
 Formal Single Window Strategy adopted by Government
 Single Window Project in execution
 Operational Single Window first generation
 Re-design project for second generation Single Window
 Operational Single Window second generation
Regulatory coverage describes the procedures, user, and geographical
coverage of the SW. Procedure coverage describes the regulatory and
commercial procedures that are integrated in the SW. User and
geographical coverage is an important aspect as some services may be
available only in few locations due to technical limitations, or are very
specific to a particular location, i.e. a seaport facility. The coverage is
determined by the strategic orientation of the Single Window but may
change with time through scaling.
Business process / Services coverage complements the regulatory
coverage by describing the specific services and functionalities’ offered by
the SW. SWs exhibit a wide variance. To compare, these services can be
grouped into front office and back office services. Front office involves,
inter alia:
 Lodging of documents and data
 Notification, archiving, printing of documents
 Payment (e-invoicing)
 Information portal
Back office involves, inter alia:
 Decision making
 Back office cooperation
 Risk Management
It is furthermore important if services can offered paperless or if there is
a duplication of paper and e-documents.
Organisational management describes the organizational arrangements
that are adopted to ensure the functioning of the SW. This includes
 financial arrangements;
 legal status of the SW;
 internal quality management;
 human resources and skills; and
 alignment of business with IT strategy.
Technical and Technology regroups aspects regarding the IT Architecture
and infrastructure, Data and Business Harmonisation, and electronic
signature.
Source: Authors