Overview of the Global ICT Department of World bank

Prepared for

Mr. Iftekharul Amin

Course Instructor Management Information System Course Code: K 302

Prepared by Andalib Kabir Roll ZR 27 BBA 17th Batch Institute of Business Administration University of Dhaka

November 21, 2011 Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka

Introduction
The World is getting smaller and closer day by day, as the advancement of the information technology keeps the whole world connected round the clock. Bangladesh is no different from that. Although Bangladesh is far behind when advancement in the sector of ICT, significant progress has been made in the recent years. The government of Bangladesh has drafted a policy of digitizing Bangladesh. To reap the benefit from this project we will have to wait some time, but the initiative is commendable. The effect of it is also seen in different government and non-government bodies. In this era, the way organizations are run has changed drastically. Keyboards and monitors have taken the place of pen and paper. In other words, the organizations have become digitized. It is almost impossible to think of an office devoid of computers and technology in general nowadays. Like any other section of an organization, this vast network of computers is also run by a system which we call Management Information System. By definition, it is a computerized information-processing system designed to support the activities of company or organizational management. In other words, this system gathers information, sorts and analyzes them to support the decision making process of any organizational management. With the use of MIS, companies now can work faster, better and more efficiently. It truly has revolutionized the business world. Also this MIS function helps the managers of today take more efficient and timely decisions. Managers now a day feel more confident as their decision is now backed by files of data which is usually being In this report, the practical usage of MIS has been looked into. For this, World bank was chosen as the organization of study since it is the leading financing agency, who mainly lends to the government and finances different development projects efficiently everyday by the use of numerous MIS. This report focuses on the types and functions of MIS used in the selected organization. It also highlights the processes involved and advantages and disadvantages. Also how MIS helps individuals take better decisions is also being taken a look at. Lastly, the findings were related to academic learning to achieve a better understanding of the usage of MIS in the real business world.

Company overview
World Bank
The World Bank Group is the largest multi-lateral financier and provider of policy advice in the field of ICT in developing countries. Over the past five years, the World Bank Group has provided more than USD 3 billion of funding in over 80 countries through its three financing arms; the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA): The World Banks mission is global poverty reduction and the improvement of living standards. The World Bank is made up of two unique development institutions owned by 185 member countriesthe

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). The IBRD focuses on middle income and creditworthy poor countries, while IDA focuses on the poorest countries in the world. Through IBRD and IDA low-interest loans, interest-free credit and grants are provided to developing countries for education, health, infrastructure, communications and many other purposes. The Global Information and Communication Technologies Department (GICT) is a joint department of the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and promotes access to information and communication technologies in developing countries through policy and regulatory expertise and leveraging private sector finance. The World Bank has supported reforms in over 80 client governments and provided approximately USD 750 million in loans for ICT related projects. This support is in addition to lending projects in other sectorssuch as health, education, trade, and finance that have ICT components. Trust funds administered by the IBRD have contributed an additional USD 50 million to the ICT sector in the past five years. MIGA, as an agency that provides political risk insurance to foreign investments in developing countries, has supplied an additional USD 700 million to the ICT sector through private investment guarantees. ICT is one of the best performing sectors in the World Bank Groups portfolio, both in terms of returns and development impact.

WORLD BANK IN BANGLADESH

Bangladesh is one of the largest recipients of support from International Development Association (IDA), the World Banks concessionary arm. Since 1972, the World Bank has committed more than $15 billion support to the Government of Bangladesh to reduce poverty and improve the lives of the people. Bangladesh has outlined a vision of becoming a middle income country by 2021, which would require it to grow at 8% per year. For achieving this acceleration, Bangladesh will need to devise a strategy to absorb its growing labor force and raise its productivity by enhancing skills, and also invest much more, especially in infrastructure. Also, while addressing the other issues posed above, it will have to pay particular attention to the looming challenge posed by climate change. The World Bank works in close partnership with the Government of Bangladesh and always aligns its programs and projects with Government priorities. The World Bank also works closely with other development partners, non-government organizations, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders. All support and projects are developed in close consultation with the government and the people of Bangladesh. The World Bank currently has a portfolio of 27 active projects with a net commitment of $3.61 billion. The projects utilize local knowledge and expertise. Several projects have actively involved the local communities in design and implementation.

The World Bank supports the Government in its efforts on macro-economic stability and growth, power, infrastructure, climate change and disaster management, human and social development and poverty reduction. The World Bank provides both financing and technical assistance that have helped the country to be on track on achieving the MDGs. The World Bank has enhanced its support to Bangladesh and has provided concessional lending above $1 billion in a single year for the first time in 2009. The same trend is expected to continue. All World Bank loans to Bangladesh are interest free IDA credits, with 10 year grace period and 40 year maturity period.

Objectives:
As it was a brief report, the objectives of this report were specific and quantifiable. These objectives gave specific instructions about what can be expected from this report. The objectives of this report are: Indentify the different types of functions of MIS which is being implemented in World Bank. Get an idea about the processes of the Global ICT department of World Bank. Find out the Mission and goal of the Global ICT department of World Bank, and what it wants to achieve. Find out what utilities these MIS functions and properties are providing. To figure out the disadvantages associated with the Global ICT department of World Bank. To learn about future plans and innovations regarding the MIS. Get a general view of the purchase of licenses for different softwares.

Scope
This report was prepared to give an overview of what MIS functions are carried out in World Bank. No in depth analysis was done and also no expert opinion was given. To classify the functions and what are used to carry on that function was this reports main focus. Different advantages and disadvantages of the MIS functions were briefly asked. But not much details was provided as per requirements of this report.

Limitations
Basic in nature, this report still had some limitations. Some of them were unavoidable and some of them were due to time constraints. They are as follows: Bank Policy: The Bank policy is not to give all the information about their ICT department out, as several security issues are attached to it. Clear idea about the ICT department would give

infiltrators a good idea about what to face and World Bank wants to ensure that no information about security is given to outsiders. Unwillingness of the employees: The employees to avoid any distress in the future, was not willing to provide with all possible information. Constraints were faced in every step of data collection. Unauthenticated information: The secondary data collected through secondary sources, specifically based on internet, the authentication of these sources. No Expert Opinion: The author of this report is not a expert in this sector. So no in-depth analysis was provided. But the objectives of this report were fulfilled, with sufficient information.

Methodology
This report was prepared in a two-step process. They are: 1. Data collection 2. Data sorting, compilation and subsequent analysis In the data collection step, a brief interview was taken of Mr. Md. Faijul Islam, Information Systems Specialist of The World Bank. Although there was no formal questionnaire, he was asked questions regarding the types, functions, processes, advantages and disadvantages of the MIS used in the said organization and in response to those questions he outlined the overall situation regarding the use of MIS in The World Bank. This report is almost mostly based on primary data collected from this interview. Secondary data was obtained by consulting the official website of the organization. After collecting the required data, it was sifted, sorted and compiled. A brief analysis was done to match the findings with academic knowledge obtained in the classroom. And ultimately it was presented in a lucid format for ease of understanding.

Findings
ICT Department of The World Bank, Dhaka Office
The ICT department of The World bank, Dhaka Office, started its functions in early 1990s. As much of the ICT decisions are taken in the head quarters, and also hard ware are provided from the head quarter, the work of the local ICT department is to carry out and coordinate the ICT functions as instructed by head quarter.

ICT Policy and Governance

World Bank has a specific ICT policy. This policy is being implemented all over the world. This policy helps The World Bank maintain uniform ICT standards throughout all the offices of The World Bank. This policy is developed in Washington, United States of America, where the head quarter of The World Bank is situated. The IT policy team works round the year, modifying the policy. Also there are regional IT teams. These It teams help determine what are the local needs of the offices of that region, and what changes to the policy is being needed in ICT. All the hardware and software are purchased by this World Bank central ICT team, which software are needed are also asserted by them. The central ICT team consists of IT experts, financial analysts, economists, engineers etc. People from different background gives an idea about what software is needed by, and what conforms to the need of employees. Then these software are provided to the regional teams who get the licenses. If the local teams feel the need for any software, if they are needed in bulk then it has to be approved by the regional team, who consults it with the central ICT team. If they approve it then software is provided to the regional team. Local IT department can also outsource software to get the customized software. The World Bank Group is the largest multi-lateral financier and provider of policy advice in the field of ICT in developing countries. Over the past five years, the World Bank Group has provided more than US$3 billion of funding in over 80 countries through its three financing arms; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD or World Bank), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

Work Stations
Each middle and lower middle level employee is being provided a computer, a laptop and the laptop docking station. These are called enterprise desktops. This docking station, serves as a charger and also it connects the laptop to the pc. These are provided by Lenovo. This contract is being done every 3-4 years. Every 3-4 years a evaluation is being conducted and it is seen if any modification or renewal of working stations are being needed. If needed international tender is circulated. The lowest bidder gets the contact, but they will have to fulfill certain criteria, and this is being judged by a qualified IT team of The World Bank. This is done to maintain a standard throughout all World Bank offices. Preference is given to stable products, no new technology is adopted because of the vulnerability of that technology.

Wi-Fi
The whole office is Wi-Fi enabled. Internet is provided to all employees through this Wi-Fi system and a certain pass code is needed to enter this network. This pass code is changed every 3 months.

Internet Bandwidth
Internet bandwidth is provided from Washington, where The World Bank head quarter is located. This is done because the intranet and extranet all over the world for The World Bank is the same, and this same network is connected all over the world. So this network and the bandwidth is being provided centrally from the World bank head quarter. The countries where Internet connection is of high

performing, that is used. For example, broadband line is used where the line is sufficient enough to provide uninterrupted service. In Bangladesh Bandwidth is from the World Bank head quarter through VSAT. This satellite technology provides bandwidth to The World bank Dhaka office, and then it is being run through NOC. Then Modems are used to catch the Bandwidth and Routers used to disburse it throughout the office. This Bandwidth is also disbursed through switches and hubs, which is part of its internet network. Cisco works as a network consultant for this service.

Operating System Software

The World Bank uses Windows 7 operating system of Microsoft. They use the Enterprise (OEM) version of the soft ware, which is also modified to cater to the need of The World Bank. This operating system is evaluated every 2-3 years, and if new software is needed then it is being replaced worldwide then. The operating system software comes with a bundle of software, which serves different functions. Some of them are given below, with their function:

Software
Lotus Notes Internet Explorer Microsoft Office MacAfee SAP ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)

Function
E-mail Client and Instant Messaging Browser Software Productivity Software PC Security Software Resource Planning

All these software is licensed and no pirated software is allowed to be used in The World Bank office, as it is against the ICT policy of The World bank.

Application Software
The World Bank provides its employees with any software they wish to use, and this has to be rationalized. But The World Bank provides with all licensed software and these software are not given to every employee and but only to those who need them. But certain software is also given department wise. For example, Economic department of The World Bank uses different analytical software applications which help them prepare their report. Almost all known application software is being used by The World Bank. Some of the names of them are given below:

Software
Adobe Acrobat Adobe Photoshop

Function
PDF reader Photo Editor

Enterprise Software
The World Bank uses different enterprise software applications for different functions of the bank. Major functions of The World Bank, Dhaka office are:

World Bank

Economic Departmetn

Purchase & Procurement Departmetn

Admin

Supporting Departments

Policy Formulation

Some of the enterprise software applications used for these functions are:

Software
Business Ware

Function
Data Warehousing, Data Cleansing, Data Audit HR Statistical Analysis Document Uploading Web Publishing Help Desk Management & Tracking

Company

People Soft SPSS Electronic Filing E-Publish Remedy

IBM IBM Sphere

A wide range of SAP software applications are used for several functions of The World bank. They are given below:

Software
SAP Co SAP Fi SAP MM SAP PP SAP CRM SAP Inventory

Function
Controlling Finance Material Management Project Management Service Management Inventory Management

Employees when asked about the satisfaction level of these software applications told that they are very successful, and very helpful for day to day work.

ESS, DSS and MIS Software Applications

All the functions of ESS, DSS and MIS is being provided by Business Warehouse, a software of SAP. But different modifications are being made. The Modifications are given below: Different Systems ESS Modification Highly customized for the top management, all summaries of the reports done by mid level and lower mid level management is given here Highly analytical tools are given, as many calculations are done. For example, economic, finance departments. Less modified, customized according to the departments, this version is used for reporting only

DSS MIS

SAAS- Software as a service

Sales Force, company that provides software as a service, was chosen for providing software as a service as a pilot project. But it was not successful, and its against the ICT policy of The World Bank, because of security policies.

Customized Software
Sometimes, software applications are outsourced to local firms, so that customized software applications are made which can be modified. The functions which are covered by these software applications are administrative services, internet platform, etc. For example ASP net was made by Mancons Limited. The reason behind this outsourcing is: 1. 2. 3. 4. Fast Software Network, Flexible software, Customized software, and Cheaper.

Hardware and Software Support

Hardware support of different components is provided by different companies. International and local companies provide these services. For example, Cisco provides solution for network related problems. Software support is usually provided by the software companies, from where the software applications are bought.

Data Base Management System

Oracle provides all necessary supports for DBMS of The World Bank. Data Base is stored on different components, the details of which was not provided, because it was against The World Bank Global ICT Policy.

Microsoft Access, MySQL and several other software applications are used to retrieve these data from the DBMS. Collaboration is done with the help of Sharepoint and jives.

Security
The Security of the ICT department is provided through these functions: 1. 2. 3. 4. PC security is provided by MacAfee security essentials. The DBMS is protected by both software firewall and hardware firewall. Jaipa provide Hardware protection DMZ environment provides VPN protection.

Cell Phone Service

The World Bank provides service to Iphones, BlackBerrys and and tablets. Iphones and blackBerrys are provided to top management. But if anybody has Iphone or BlackBerry, this service is also provided to them. Sufficient security is also provided to them.

Future Plan
The World Bank has plans to develop their own cloud Intranet if security issues are being addressed properly.

Conclusion
To summarize The World Bank has a highly complex MIS structure. Each department has its own set of rules and procedures through which they can access the information they need. MIS structures throughout The World Bank has been selected and designed so that complex decision making and routine work can be simultaneously coordinating, yielding the highest amount of efficiency in a large, global organization.