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RE-INTRODUCING HANSARD IN BERMUDA


This page: The Parliament of Bermuda. Right: Certain debates were tran- scribed sporadically in the 1940s but the practice was discontinued.


impact on our final decision, the four main criteria were weighted 50 per cent, 30 per cent, 10 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.


They desired a detailed report, stating every word during the debate at the House of Assembly. The Hansard was an answer to many of our prayers. Hansard Steering Committee As a result of our decision to implement a Hansard, a Hansard Steering Committee was formed which examined possible solutions for creating and properly maintaining a Hansard. The committee consisted of information technology consultants and a project manager. The Deputy Speaker at the time, Hon. Dame


Jennifer Smith, JP, MP, and I, as the Clerk to the Legislature, completed the committee. All crucial decisions were discussed and resolved through this committee. The committee received a few


proposals and also met and listened to presentations from various technology providers and decided on Sliq Media Technologies as the solution of choice for the House of Assembly Hansard. Vendors were evaluated based on


four key criteria: risk avoidance factors, services provided, ability to delivery,


202 | The Parliamentarian | 2012: Issue Three


and both short-term and long-term costs. With respect to risk avoidance we primarily considered how the vendor’s product met our business requirements, the quality of product processes, strength of personnel and quality of existing clients, the extent of product customization required, product ease of use and the vendor’s financial capability, amongst others factors. Services provided by vendors were assessed in terms of the level of product documentation, initial and on-going training and overall customer support. In terms of the


Getting started and the process The solution created by Sliq Media, known as “Harmony”, consists of several applications streamlined to support an environment needed to capture our audio stream in a digital format and then have it segmented and reviewed for the purpose of transcription. Members’ voices are recorded through a system of audio logging devices that reside on an isolated and secure network housed in a newly constructed telecommunications closet located outside of the House Chamber. Additionally, a project of this nature


required the installation of computer and other technology such as servers, software and microphones. The servers were installed to house the immense amount of data, as well as store the audio files. The servers


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