INFORMATION technology or the better know acronym, IT has become an inevitable and crucial component in any business and non business entity in our world today. The historical relation of IT to efficiency and productivity in more than familiar IT cliches from IT departments for a scrap of the organizational budget has become obsolete in contemporary management decisions. Prevailing strategic management rules a direct and an exponential relationship of IT to relevance, competence and the question of survival.

The Project

Islam is the key to the 'survival' of our world today and our Islamic organizations and entities are the doors to which the world will receive the message of Deen. Thus in this spirit an ambitious $300,000 IT project was embarked in early 1996 to equip MUIS with the essential IT hardware, software and an Information Systems Plan (ISP) to manage and anticipate IT requirements for the administration and implementation of MUIS responsibilities as the supreme Islamic body in Singapore. The entire initiative rests on MUIS Information Systems Department mission statement which aspire "To plan and administer an infrastructure for MUIS as an Islamic information hub via information technology".

All three components of MUIS ISP has begun simultaneous development and implementation since early 1995.

MUIS Internal IT Infrastructure - Structured Network

In December 1996, MUIS internal IT infrastucture which provides the first prong to MUIS ISP has been commissioned. It consists of an additional $50,0000 extensive construction and recabling work which integrates the computer, tele- communication as well as power connection within MUIS physical structure. This project was done in close collaboration with the MUIS Property Department.

The entire Local Area Network (LAN) now operates on a structured cabling topology via Grade 5 UTP cables on fast ethernet switching technology. The infrastructure provides a potential backbone (full duplex mode) to burst to 200 Mbps, managed by smart fast ethernet switching hubs that will administrate dedicated 100 Mbps and 10 Mbps bandwith to required workstations within the LAN.

The grade 5 cable will allow the full range of data, image and even video (audio and image) electronic data to flow through the LAN to facilitate near future fully digitised (or paperless) environment which handles imaging and graphics as well as multi media capabilities within the organization.

Servers At Your Service

For security and administration purposes, a dedicated server room was constructed within the Information Systems Department. The server room will function as the heart for the entire IT operations in MUIS as well as external services. It is currently powered by 6 SIEMENS servers which are the 'work horses' that will translate MUIS ISP into practical reality.

Each of these machines will cater to the needs of MUIS and the Muslim community in terms of IT and also provides the flexibility for future verticle and horizontal expansion to cope with the hyper dynamic changes and development in the IT world.

MUIS is NOTES Capable!

MUIS ISP adopts Lotus Notes as its main e-mailing, internet e-mailing,e- faxing and workflow platform. Notes was chosen due to its elegant integration of the e-mail, fax, internet and workflow applications - terms which have become synonymous to office and office automation. But most crucial to the decision is that it provides a complete solution which seem to be tailor-made for MUIS ISP.

Hitherto, all MUIS staff are Lotus Notes Basics and Beyond Basics certified and all workstations are Lotus Notes desktops enabled. Each staff has the capability to perform internal, external and internal mail, fax and do virtual discussions all on their desktops. Future development will also give them access to e-forms. What this means is that reimbursement, leave, claim, work request, file requests, etc can all be done with a click of a button.

This initiative will put MUIS in line with national IT policy and thus provides a transparent virtual connection between MUIS and Muslims with government agencies via SGnet. (Singapore Government Network) which have chosen Lotus Notes as its main operating platform. In addition, plugging into future national IT development will not pose a problem for MUIS.

Plans for the mosques and madrasah to integrate into MUIS new mail platform through the MUISnet project have been planned for and will be implemented within the first quarter of 97.

Islamic Gateway of Singapore (www.muis.gov.sg)

Critical MUIS users wll have Internet connection at their desktops. Thanks to a 128K lease line via CISCO routers connecting MUIS internet surfers direct to the Internet backbone via Cyberway. InsyaAllah, MUIS staff is all set and geared towards the Internet era. MUIS Internet readiness will ensure that dakwah will always and should always be on par and equipped to meet the situational changes and challenges of the times.

What and Where to Next?

With the commissioning of the internal IT infrastructure, MUIS Information Systems Department has fulfilled the amanah which it has set out for itself in 1996. However, this represents the beginning and the first milestone to a long journey to realise MUIS ISP and harnessing the full power and potential of IT for dakwah in general and Singapore Muslims in particular. The sharing of a common IT plan and vision by all local Islamic entities which includes mosques, madrasahs and Islamic organizations are essential for smooth and coordinated implementation. The close relationship between infrastructure and the human element will prove to be the critical success factor to the realization of this dream.

InsyaAllah, with the guidance of Allah swt, this effort will be recognised as managing and realising the knowledge and tools of IT which Allah swt has bestowed on us for the benefit of His religion and mankind.