The State Government will undertake an audit of Western Australia's information and communications technology industry to help understand the current and future needs of the sector.
The State Government will undertake an audit of Western Australia's information and communications technology industry to help understand the current and future needs of the sector.
Science and Innovation Minister Francis Logan said the audit would ensure that future State Government strategies would foster the development of a thriving and sustainable local ICT industry.
"We have known for a long time that WA has expertise in niche areas such as spatial data processing, mining services, health systems and remote telecommunications," Mr Logan said.
"What we are trying to achieve out of the audit is to obtain more precise information so that the Government, together with industry associations, can market our strengths and increase the industry's global competitiveness."
Information regarding industry structure, products or services provided, research conducted, vertical markets, export markets and growth impediments will be gathered with the aid of an online questionnaire.
The Minister said all companies and research organisations within the industry would be invited to participate in the audit, which would be performed by the Department of Industry and Resources, in conjunction with the ICT Industry Collaboration Centre and the Industry Capability Network.
Mr Logan also announced a second project, ICT Connect, a new service to link WA's ICT companies with the purchasing departments of large loca, national and international ventures.
"The service will see consultants working with companies registered on the project database to increase the level of WA ICT products and services used in local, national and international projects," he said.
Sharon Brown, chair of the ICT Industry Collaboration Centre, praised the announcement, saying initiatives like these would help WA ICT companies develop and penetrate the difficult export market.
Ms Brown said the six members of the centre - the Australian Information Industry Association, the Australian Computer Society, the Institute of Engineers Australia, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (Australia), the Australian Telecommunications Users Group, the Western Australian Internet Association and Engineers Australia - would assist in the projects, ensuring that all segments of the ICT industry were represented.
