About GEMMA

Establishing an electronic government system is not easy. Citizens and businesses demand better, preferably web-based services and less bureaucracy and administration. For this reason, you need an municipal IT system that connects to the national e-governement infrastructure. Using GEMMA (the GEneral Municipal  Model Architecture) for the development, construction acquisition and implementation of municipal information systems helps municipalities realizing their e-governement ambitions.

What is GEMMA?
GEMMA consists of a set of interlinked IT solutions:

• Reference architecture: GEMMA process and information architecture.
• Data standards: RSGB and RGBZ.
• Service standards: e-form specifications, processes and the standard case type catalogue.
• Communications standards: StUF (upgraded to open standard)
• Standard approach: Standard tendering process for Midoffice (ANDEZ).
• Knowledge: Assisting in the e-municipality strategy and the interconnection policy.

The reference architecture consist of models and principles that provide insight into the relationships between different processes. The concrete standards regarding data , service and communication help municipal governments to keep in touch with the national e-government infrastructure and to implement municipal IT systems.

How to use GEMMA?
You start off with a strategy document. In this document, you make a list of concrete objectives and create a draft plan of action. Use this strategy to create architecture that suits your particular situation. For this purpose, you can use the various components of the municipal model architecture (GEMMA). After all, why re-invent the wheel? GEMMA is based on the Dutch Governmental Reference Architecture system (NORA), and was specially adapted for the needs of municipal government.

Wherever necessary, you can ask your suppliers to meet the GEMMA standards. In practice, this means that suppliers must inform you of how they fit in with the municipal reference architecture and principles. Furthermore, they will inform you of whether or not they comply with the information, service and communication standards.