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ICT: Technology Roadmaps
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| 5. ICT: Technology Roadmaps By Linley Nadasen and Imraan Salojee |
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| The Department of Science and Technology (DST)’s 1998 foresight
study provided South Africa with a glimpse of what possible
technological futures will exist and what can be expected in terms of
emerging technologies over a 10-year-plus timeframe, in twelve industry
sectors. The foresight study identified the key technological areas that could play a pivotal role in driving and growing existing and new economic areas. In this context and in recognition of the need to engage many role-players, particularly industry, an ICT (Information and Communications Technology) roadmapping exercise, facilitated by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, has been initiated by the DST. Technology roadmapping is a tool to help firms better understand their markets and make informed technology decisions. The challenges of operating in the global business environment often mean that no single firm or industry has the resources to develop the full spectrum of technologies required. Technology roadmaps identify, evaluate and promote the development of collaborative projects within and between industries, to fill gaps and capture technology-related opportunities. Through roadmapping, firms collaborate with research and government stakeholders, form new partnerships and develop creative solutions to the technology issues and research needs identified. By sharing pre-competitive technologies and knowledge, firms can leverage financial and intellectual resources to achieve market success. |
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 Mr Guy Vellacot and Mr Johan Eksteen at the ICT roadmap show. |
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| There are a number of areas where collaborative development of
precompetitive technologies could benefit the ICT sector. Previous
studies have shown, for example, that the need for affordable
bandwidth, improved efficiencies in networks, innovative applications
of wireless and satellite applications and the development of more
efficient Internet computing networks are possible areas where
technology roadmaps may be usefully applied. The outcomes of the technology roadmaps can provide major benefits to government in streamlining research and development activities, based on inputs from the industry, as well as to contribute to the policy aims of government. The key to successful roadmapping is for it to be an industry-led, industryowned and industry-driven process. The information and communications technology roadmap adopts this approach. The role of DST is to facilitate the necessary processes by consolidating existing knowledge and incorporating new insights as the process unfolds. A crucial element for the successful involvement and identification of industry participants is a comprehensive and appropriate communications strategy addressing business’ concerns and soliciting their participation. The use of roadmaps in the South African environment is not yet commonplace and one of the challenges is to ensure industry buyin. Business leadership of the ICT roadmap is dependent on many factors; the levels of interest in stimulating innovation in the ICT sector, being prepared to devote resources (financial and human) to growing ICT research and development in this country and the willingness to develop technologies that could create local and international markets for the local sector. In the first phase of the ICT roadmapping exercise, a team of ICT experts from industry, government and academia analysed existing research on the sector in South Africa and abroad. These experts identified five technology focus areas for the ICT roadmap, namely; human computer interface (HCI), wireless and satellite applications, Futureweb, Geomatics and high performance computing. The experts developed preliminary roadmap reports in each of these five areas, which can be viewed on the ICT roadmap website. The outcomes of phase one are the identification of the priority focus areas, the emergence of industry champions and the preliminary ICT technology roadmaps in the five areas. The technology area entitled human computer interface will focus on usability, with the main focus on human-language and visualisation technologies. This emphasis is especially important in South Africa, with its multiple cultures and languages, low levels of literacy and commitment to e-government to improve service delivery – necessitating successful research and development. Wireless and satellite application technologies can increase access amongst the wider South African population, especially in rural areas and in inaccessible mining and agricultural areas. Computer-assisted learning can be enhanced using a combination of wireless and satellite communication technology. To provide effective services in areas of health, government services and electronic commerce to a broad audience, the Internet has to be accessible from almost anywhere. Research and development of the next generation Internet will have to be synchronised with new developments in human computer interface and wireless satellite technologies. |
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 At the ICT roadmap launch for Phase 2. Front row: Linley Nadasen, Sandra Mackie and Dr Bethuel Sehlapelo; Back row: Eroni Louw, Done Louw and Dumisani Ngqesha. |
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| Geomatics deals with collecting, managing, processing and using
data related to the earth’s surface, subsurface, water bodies and the
atmosphere. Technologies in geomatics assist in emergency services and
disaster relief. Research and development in wireless and satellite
technologies, human computer interface and Futureweb supports and
greatly enhances geomatic technology. The scientific and research community has made increasing demands for more computing power to solve complex problems using large data sets. Research and development in high performance computing would provide new technologies for grid computing, supercomputing and parallel computing, accelerating scientific discovery. High performance computing affords opportunities for academia and industry to work together to position South Africa as a leader in both high performance computing hardware and software technologies. Phase two of the roadmapping process, launched in June 2004, by Mosibudi Mangena, Minister of Science and Technology, began with an awareness campaign comprising roadshows in three provinces and will continue with roadmap workshops in the five technology areas during the next few months. During the workshops, the preliminary technology roadmaps from phase one will be revised by industry participants and specific roadmaps developed. For more information on the roadmapping workshops to be held around the country from September, or for more information on the technology roadmapping project, visit www.ictroadmap.co.za. |
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| Contents | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
Nominations of potential candidates for the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Board of Directors
