Single Window Systems
In the OIC Member States
7
Technology developments of the late 90’s changed this situation radically. The emerging PC
centric/client-server infrastructure made IT support cheaper and enabled new services, such
as Direct Trader Input (DTI). The rise of the Internet enabled centralization of services.
Until mid-2000 however, network connectivity constraints limited Single Window
developments to few early adopters. Data resided on geographically isolated repositories and
interoperability was near to impossible. From 2005 onwards, these limitations were overcome
by the expansion of the Internet that became more reliable. Usage of Internet was growing
rapidly and the Single Window concept was put into practice in many countries.
Recent technology trends have created potentials for new applications, services, and ICT
architecture design. It is possible to process faster, and have more complex algorithms. Costs
for infrastructure have gone down because of virtualization and cheaper hardware
components such as storage, changed networking. Processing is also less costly through the
use of web services instead of client service architecture.
Web services allow applications to be located on centralized server where users access it,
instead of applications being located on users’ desktop and multiple information exchanges-
submissions to central server for processing, submission to agencies’ desktop for decision
making, and exchange again to the users’ desktop. The client service architecture was costly to
maintain and time consuming in processing and offered limited accessibility. Modern Single
Windows now offer broad accessibility from a variety of different devices from traditional
Windows, Linux and Mac based desktops, laptops, thin and zero clients, iOS and Android
tablets and smartphones4.
Due to the exponential growth of ICT in supply chain management and public administration
the Single Window concept further evolved in the past six years. The focus is now on
interoperability, which is the ability to exchange data and information across systems,
including across-borders systems. In the current understanding a Single Window architecture
interconnects numerous information technology (IT) systems on the physical and logical level.
The Single Window concept also expanded beyond national borders to capture cross-border
data exchange, in regional Single Window initiatives5.
1.1.2 International Regulatory Framework
Recent international trade facilitation instruments, such as the WCO Framework of Standards
to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE) and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO
4 UNESCAP, Technologies (ICT) for Trade and Transport facilitation: ICT related requirements and gaps in implementing
Trade and Transport facilitation systems (UNESCAP, 2017), under
accessed January 2017)
5 For an overview of SW concept evolution Single see Jonathan Koh, “Single Window Development in the past decade”; in
Connecting International Trade: Single Windows and Supply Chains in the Next Decade , UNECE (New York and Geneva: United
Nations, 2013).