To develop and implement the required application, the team first analyzed the various needs of its user groups across the country. Based on this analysis, the team developed a plan to deliver all forms electronically, including those that were formerly restricted to print. This included department-wide consultation with clients and IM and IT specialists, and the demonstration of the new system to senior management across Canada. Transport Canada s new Forms Catalogue was developed and implemented across Canada in a very short time frame February 1999 to June 1999. The new forms system now enables users to easily locate any forms in the department s inventory.
Users are also able to standardize formatting, to ensure consistency across all forms used.
This new system provides improved change management and a clear audit trail, while producing operational and performance-related volumetric information. By using electronic data interchange, it allows vendors to accurately maintain current stock and pricing information. The new system also allows the department to centrally post the forms, thereby saving time and money. It has greatly reduced the need for paper output, and has improved consistency by replacing where feasible pre-printed forms with electronic versions. This new initiative will result in long-term savings in printing, storage and distribution costs.