Implementing service-oriented architecture (SOA) IT projects in the public sector would relieve civil servants from dead-end mechanical tasks, said Microsoft Corp. 

The software giant believes that instead of having civil servants stuffing envelopes and prosessing forms, SOA projects would enable them to be deployed to more fulfilling, customer-facing roles where the human touch is really needed. 

Microsoft Asia-Pacific regional technology officer Oliver Bell said this is one argument that could be used to address the natural tendency of public-sector staff to resist change that they might see as threatening their job security, seniority, or personal authority.