MESSAGE, an “Integrated File-Flow Management System” that follows the Tottenham System, can be implemented in any office. This is an intranet based centralized application for the internal use of offices and Internet based application for the citizen services. MESSAGE can be instantiated for multiple offices from the same intranet database. The files, tapals / petitions will be captured at source and the movements will be tracked across the office.

MESSAGE provides

* Efficient and Transparent Administration
* Efficient Monitoring and Control
* Effective Internal and External Information Exchange
* Building Knowledge Bases, Contents and Document Management Systems
* Robust Decisions Support Systems and MIS
* A Structured Workflow environment in the secretariat
* Collaborative Work Environment
* Effective Policy Making
* Improving Service Delivery Systems, Delivery and Service Access points

MESSAGE envisions

* Better working ambiance * Quick access to information * Common discussion facility * Continuous training facility * Better records maintenance * Traceability * Less paper * Better collaboration * Correspondence in local language.

MESSAGE Architecture

* E-Services layer is the front-end layer of MESSAGE which interacts with citizens and offer services to the citizens. There are several methods proposed in MESSAGE. The services are offered over touch screen kiosks, Interactive voice response system, Internet and front-end counters.
* Middle layer is the Intranet Services layer, which offers lot of collaboration services and tools. E-Mail, Messaging, Chat, Video Conferencing, bulletin boards are few worth mentioning.
* Back Office layer is the key functional area comprising of all functional modules with which the government staff will work and carry out the backend operations.

Technologies and Platforms
The software is developed using Web and Portals technologies along with a proven RDBMS. Open Software Technologies is utilized wherever appropriate. The applications, which are of public interest, will be given access through INTERNET and Touch Screens based Kiosks using standard software and web interfaces. MESSAGE is developed in Linux-Appache-MySQL-PHP (LAMP). Details are given below

· Operating Server - RHEL 4.0
· Web Server - Apache 2.0.52
· RDBMS - MySQL 5.0.41 Standard
· Application Server - PHP 5.1.1

Implementation Status

* Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala inaugurated the MESSAGE system on 15.02.2008 at the office of Kerala State IT Mission. The introduction of MESSAGE in KSITM along with the Akshaya Project makes this office as the first ‘Paperless Office’ within Government of Kerala and will provide impulsion to the initiatives of different departments and Government organizations.

* Presently implemented in

• Kerala State IT Mission
• Akshaya (State Head quarter and district offices)
• Kerala State Urban Development Programme (KSUDP)
• Kerala State IT Infrastructure Ltd.
• Citizen Call Centre

• Food & Civil Supplies Department in Govt. Secretariat

Total users of the system is at present 186.

Future Plan

It is decided to implement MESSAGE in six more departments in Secretariat viz.

1. 1. Finance
   2. Higher Education
   3. Information Technology
   4. Public Works Department
   5. Norka
   6. Co-operation