Council has it!

IN an Australian first for local government organisations Shellharbour Council has unveiled a new website completely developed in-house using Microsoft's cutting edge .NET2 technology.

.NET2 is a new web services strategy that provides integration between all types of computer software and hardware platforms, including mobile web based platforms such as PDAs and wireless notebook computers.

Shellharbour City Council's Information Technology Manager Mike Leonard said .NET2 enables systems to be integrated more rapidly and meet customer expectations of "information anytime, anywhere, on any device."

"For the "tech-heads" the technology enables developers to create data-driven websites and gain the ability to quickly build, deploy, manage and use connected, security-enhanced solutions with web services," he said.

"For Council and its customers it means even more exciting services can be added to the website and information will be much easier to keep up-to-date."

Mr Leonard said the launch of the technology fitted in with Council's plans to update its website, so the decision was made to embrace the new technology as a priority.

"It's been a steep learning curve to change to a completely new framework but we are dedicated to maintaining our leadership role in the field of on-line technology, earned through our eDA (electronic development application lodgement system) and on-line mapping facilities."

Mr Leonard said a range of new on-line services would be introduced for customers over the coming months.