Information System

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Key figures

Encouraging the pooling of solutions and modernisation of processes

The new financial information system, SIFAC EPST, with the dematerialisation of financial documents and of the service, was deployed for the start of the 2017 financial year. The actions will continue in 2018, with the production of regulatory reports and DGFIP (General Department of Public Finance) indicators, and the introduction of the treasury module.

Several regulatory evolutions have also been implemented in the HRIS: The payment regime taking into account roles, constraints, expertise and professional engagement (RIFSEEP), the personal training account (CPF), and the Professional Progression, Careers and Pay protocol (PPCR), as well as the revision of residence allowances abroad.

As part of the dematerialisation of management processes, a DAM (demand for allocation and arbitration of means: human, financial, logistical, equipment) application has been developed and introduced for the 2018 budgetary demand of the units. This is an important development for IRD, which has greatly facilitated the arbitration of the scientific departments. Reserved for the units in 2017, the project will be extended to all structures in 2018 (head office, regional delegations, sites overseas and abroad).

IRD has acquired an Alfresco collaborative content and process management platform. It will progressively replace the current collaborative work, storage and document sharing solutions. It offers functions to support the Institute’s modernisation and simplification efforts.

Building a real ecosystem for scientific data and management of the scientific activity

DAM is one of the blocks of the SIAR (research activities information system) data portal; the data relating to research structures, their staff and geo-navigation also underwent initial integration in 2017. This portal, which aims to upgrade IRD’s research activity and its projection in the South, will be enriched during 2018 with a joint management application for contracts, agreements and partners…

Completing the IS with steering and decision-making functions

A new MAP (steering support resources) decision support information system was deployed at the start of the year, for the domains of activity management and finance associated with SIFAC EPST. To help the 800 users of the system adopt and use it, particular attention has been paid to its ergonomics, graphics and performance. Other areas (HR, markets, missions, etc.) were subject to prototypes and will be gradually deployed from 2018 onwards: HR, markets, missions.

Improving IS security

IRD’s information systems security team has implemented an initiative and processes allowing better integration of security into information system projects: evaluation of security needs, project risk analysis, identification of clauses relating to IS security for integration in contracts with third parties, IT solutions security formula… These measures will help to ensure compliance with the State Information Systems Security policy (PSSIE).

IRD has defined its password policy and a specific interface has been developed to allow the user to change it directly.

IRD has also equipped itself with a solution for backing up workstations, taking into account the network connectivity quality of sites. It will be deployed in 2018.

Helping reduce the digital divide

IRD coordinates TANDEM, an H2020 project conducted in partnership with the Cirad, Renater and Wacren. It aims to create the roadmap for developing a high-speed network in West and Central Africa. Six higher education and research ministers from West and Central Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Togo) will ratify the implementation of their NREN (National Research and Education Network) by 2019.

Developing and maintaining communication methods

25% of IRD sites benefited from major developments to their Internet connection in 2017, in most cases maintaining a constant budget:

Strengthening project governance and supporting IRD’s transformation

IRD has decided to reinforce its existing practices for project management. This involves creating a Project Management branch within the Institute. This program, referred to as “ONE”, aims to strengthen alignment of project management with IRD’s professions, and to spread the project culture in practices at IRD organisation level.

Re-affirming the establishment’s sovereignty over strategic choices and the adaptability of the information system

IRD has started the process of repatriating part of its technical infrastructure hosted at the data centre to the CINES (National IT centre for higher education). Reflection has begun with Cirad, to study mutualisation possibilities between the two organisations. A first commitment has been made to share IRD’s chosen solution for backing up workstations.

Developing new uses, supporting and assisting IS users and improving service operation

IRD’s connection to the State interministerial network allows IS users to access resources and applications available in the ministries or shared within this network.

A new solution offering simplified and quick Wi-Fi access to visitors on all IRD sites has been developed (it will be deployed in the first quarter of 2018).

5050 IS users – IRD agents or otherwise – use the email service. 106 million emails were exchanged over the IRD platform in 2016, of which 17 million were outgoing. The user service centre was called over 21,700 times, mainly on SIFAC (user assistance and incidents). It now includes support for top-level applications.