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CACI UK Ltd

Impulse Nexus - Education Management Information System

Impulse Nexus is a complete, mature, modular, web-based education management system that enables greater efficiency by using a centralised, core pupil record. Impulse Nexus provides a holistic view of a child's educational needs, activity and their life circumstances, through advanced reporting functionality, portals and dashboards, with optimised mobile accessibility.

Features

  • Single database application with a centralised core pupil record
  • Flexible, modular offering fulfilling specific education department requirements
  • Information Management system with analytics and powerful reporting
  • Information portals for parents, schools, local authorities, professionals to access
  • Web-based, mobile optimised with self-service and service redesign
  • Secure, statutory compliance; enabling multi-user access and information dashboards
  • Admissions, Transfers, Appeals, SEND/ALN, Referrals, Early years, EHCP viewer
  • SEND Local Offer, Family Information Service, Governors, Online PEP
  • Welfare, Benefits, FIS and Virtual Schools (LAC attendance/exclusions)
  • Powerful HUB data-matching engine that synchronises, cleanses data

Benefits

  • Dramatically improves internal processes, affordably and efficiently
  • Broadens view of child’s journey through the education system
  • Improves integration and quality of data from other council agencies
  • Robust, mature system which works excellently at scale
  • Multi-professional case management; supports better collaboration to safeguard children
  • Intensive support provided by Trusted Advisors with domain expertise
  • Excellent value for money with tangible time-saving results
  • Experienced people, methodology and values; more effective implementation
  • Intuitive data recording; multi-lingual capability
  • Advanced analytics, dashboards, visualisations using live data (with drilldown)

Pricing

£1,000 a user a year

  • Education pricing available

Service documents

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at digital.marketplace@caci.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

2 1 5 8 4 0 5 7 5 6 9 0 3 5 5

Contact

CACI UK Ltd CACI Digital Marketplace Sales Team
Telephone: 0207 602 6000
Email: digital.marketplace@caci.co.uk

Service scope

Software add-on or extension
No
Cloud deployment model
Private cloud
Service constraints
None, other than internet access
System requirements
Appropriate browser enabled device and connection to the internet.

User support

Email or online ticketing support
Email or online ticketing
Support response times
CACI provide web support and a helpdesk portal 24/7 to process customer issues, requests for support and software changes.

Impulse Nexus is a highly secure and available system and several aspects of the application are business-critical, so we aim to deliver maximum uptime.

Application and technical support is available 08:00 to 18:00 and at other times by arrangement. If a serious fault (Severity 1 & 2) is reported, and the system is not available or unusable, we will immediately respond and diagnose the issue using our technical consultants. This is typically within two hours if it relates to the software.
User can manage status and priority of support tickets
Yes
Online ticketing support accessibility
WCAG 2.1 AAA
Phone support
Yes
Phone support availability
9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
Web chat support
Yes, at an extra cost
Web chat support availability
9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
Web chat support accessibility standard
WCAG 2.1 AAA
Web chat accessibility testing
CACI have reviewed inclusive features in MS Teams:

- Users with vision impairments can get shared content on their own devices. This lets them use their favorite assistive technologies, such as a screen reader or magnifier
- Users with hearing impairments can get transcription services in real time, through Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART)
Onsite support
Yes, at extra cost
Support levels
All CACI’s customers receive a comprehensive support package as standard. This is included in the annual support and maintenance charge. Support is an area CACI is confident it over performs in; it’s constantly cited as one of the reasons why our customers partner with us, and why they stay with CACI.

All first line customer care consultants are attuned to practice issues and know how important it is, and are committed to, turning technical issues around quickly when they are affecting a child’s life.

Although our Service Level Agreement (SLA) is focused on service requests, >80% of our support time is spent providing advice to help customers optimise their use of Impulse Nexus and its diverse features. We are proud of this level of engagement and certain this is a uniquely beneficial feature of our service, compared to other providers.

Another popular benefit is CACI’s regular engagement with our userbase. We hold regional user conferences, webinars, workshops and actively encourage our userbase to engage with each other, both to help with best practice and to communicate in relation to CACI’s services and the development of Impulse Nexus.
Support available to third parties
No

Onboarding and offboarding

Getting started
CACI will confirm all customer requirements for configuration and implementation, including training, as well as a service start date.

Typically, we offer an initial onsite kick-off meeting with the customer at a suitable location (onsite or virtual) and agree the method and types of users to receive training; this will depend on the customer service needs, number and location of users that require training. 

Impulse Nexus training sessions are designed to be interactive and are delivered by knowledgeable and experienced consultants, with in-depth knowledge of the solution. Full training documentation will be supplied, as well as user and how-to guides, regular advice notices and webinars.

We continuously improve our software design, implementation, testing and deployment processes. We provide a complete service to manage Impulse Nexus, software upgrades and data backups, for example, to fully comply with statutory application and security requirements etc. Up to 3 service pack updates are scheduled in consultation with the customer annually.
Service documentation
Yes
Documentation formats
PDF
End-of-contract data extraction
The embedded reporting tools allow for full data extracts by the user. Where applicable and as needed, CACI can be commissioned to assist with the extraction as agreed on a case by case basis. As an option, CACI can provide additional (costed) services for Certified Drive Erasure or Disk Destruction through independent 3rd parties.
End-of-contract process
If a customer chooses not to renew, and once written confirmation is received, we will supply an estimate of effort and costs ,agree a date on which we are to carry out the data extract. Once carried out it is then securely provided to the customer.

Upon confirmation that all is in order, we then clear Impulse Nexus and shut it down, providing written confirmation to the customer that this has taken place and that we have securely destroyed all their data.

Using the service

Web browser interface
Yes
Supported browsers
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Chrome
Application to install
No
Designed for use on mobile devices
Yes
Differences between the mobile and desktop service
The standard Impulse Nexus service works on mobile devices such as tablets and mobiles. Reporting Dashboards and Portals are fully optimised and able to be viewed on devices such as mobile telephones and tablets etc.
Service interface
Yes
User support accessibility
WCAG 2.1 AAA
Description of service interface
There is a secure, device-adaptive web browser interface to the service.
Accessibility standards
WCAG 2.1 AAA
Accessibility testing
Testing has been carried out in order to meet specific customers requirements to assist their users with specific accessibility needs e.g. JAWS. CACI has experience of tailoring visual displays for users with visual impairment, for example. Upon contract start CACI's team will discuss any specific requirements before Impulse Nexus is implemented.
API
Yes
What users can and can't do using the API
Impulse Nexus can interface and integrate with a range of modern systems. We can provide straightforward integration with Electronic Document And Records Management System (EDRMS) using available webservices

CACI can reference examples of common standards education system interfacing and integration, for example, automatic updating of education training attendance and attainment from schools, care status and looked after children's placements, police notifications etc.

In addition to offering generic interfacing we offer advanced data matching and inter-operability with other 3rd party systems using the Impulse Hub. We have also developed RESTful interfacing with Impulse to enable interfacing with mobile software devices as well as for other purposes.
API documentation
Yes
API documentation formats
Other
API sandbox or test environment
No
Customisation available
Yes
Description of customisation
Impulse Nexus can be customised at a service level to include a number of different modules, generate specific reporting, dashboards, user permissions and role-based settings.

Users can also customise their personal dashboard, generate specific reports and include / remove certain windows and sections of information based on relevance to the users work.

We also offer systems integration options. These are configured as options and require the Impulse Hub matching and systems integration product. The number and type of feeds to Local, Regional and Government systems is virtually unlimited.

Scaling

Independence of resources
Regular testing and enhancements to our service and hardware are conducted. Up-time and performance assurances are provided in our SLAs.

Analytics

Service usage metrics
Yes
Metrics types
Service metrics can be provided on usage of Impulse Nexus with various user-defined variables.
Reporting types
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Reports on request

Resellers

Supplier type
Not a reseller

Staff security

Staff security clearance
Other security clearance
Government security clearance
Up to Security Clearance (SC)

Asset protection

Knowledge of data storage and processing locations
Yes
Data storage and processing locations
United Kingdom
User control over data storage and processing locations
No
Datacentre security standards
Supplier-defined controls
Penetration testing frequency
At least once a year
Penetration testing approach
‘IT Health Check’ performed by a Tigerscheme qualified provider or a CREST-approved service provider
Protecting data at rest
  • Physical access control, complying with another standard
  • Other
Other data at rest protection approach
CACI encrypts all data both at rest and in transit.

BitLocker Drive Encryption is used on CACI laptops.

Backups are fully encrypted.

Write access is blocked on all portable storage devices.

CACI’s enterprise storage solution provides full disk encryption (FDE) for all systems storing or processing your data, using the AES-256 industry standard to the encrypt data.

CACI has an enterprise level Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solution in place which monitors all endpoints, identifies any attempts to download or move personal data, and alerts administrators should any such event be detected.
Data sanitisation process
Yes
Data sanitisation type
Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation
Equipment disposal approach
Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v.30, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001

Data importing and exporting

Data export approach
Impulse Nexus uses an integrated reporting and filtering system for users to define precisely the data that users want to extract themselves.
Data export formats
  • CSV
  • Other
Other data export formats
  • PDF
  • XML
Data import formats
  • CSV
  • Other
Other data import formats
XML

Data-in-transit protection

Data protection between buyer and supplier networks
  • Private network or public sector network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Bonded fibre optic connections
  • Legacy SSL and TLS (under version 1.2)
Data protection within supplier network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Legacy SSL and TLS (under version 1.2)
  • Other
Other protection within supplier network
CACI use a mixture of these protection protocols across the CACI network, relating to different projects and the scale / security levels required.

Availability and resilience

Guaranteed availability
We guarantee 98% availability, using the following definitions:

• Network resilience is defined as recovery in less than 2 hours
• Physical Machine resilience is defined as less than 5 minutes
• Virtual Machine resilience is defined as less than 15 minutes
• Data Center recovery is defined as less than 1 hour (if secondary site option purchased)
Approach to resilience
All CACI solutions are highly resilient and hosted within a Tier-3 data centre data proving a very high degree of redundancy including:

Multiple independent network fibre rings provide redundancy in connectivity

N+1 Close Control Unit air conditioning provides redundancy in internal environment management Multiple, disparate 20Mva power feeds from a local power station vastly reduce the likelihood of a power interruption

In the unlikely event of a power interruption, N+N Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) systems, combined with three backup diesel generators that are kept warm and able to take up the load from the UPS within five minutes, provide a great degree of redundancy to the power supply.

The solution utilises HP blade server architecture with redundant blades, power, and networks.

CACI’s enterprise storage solution is architected to eliminate any single point of failure (hardware or software) in the system. To mitigate single points of failure at the hardware layer, the system is designed with redundant components, including redundant power domains.

CACI use highly resilient cloud-based collaboration tools such as Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams to provide support to our services.
Outage reporting
In the unlikely event of service outage an email alert would be sent to the user(s) from CACI Customer Care Team.

Identity and authentication

User authentication needed
Yes
User authentication
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Limited access network (for example PSN)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password
  • Other
Other user authentication
Identity/access management controls in place within the Impulse Nexus hosting environment restricting personnel access to administrative tools, and helping ensure authorised personnel have appropriate access.

• Each Impulse Nexus account has a unique ID.
• Impulse Nexus uses single-sign-on (SSO) where customers have Azure Active Directory
• 2 factor authentication configured as standard .
• All authentication/administrative activities logged within the instance.
• Sessions timed out after a period of inactivity defined by systems administrators.

Customers control the user management to their solution.
Database access privileges and role-based user access assigned by the customer via the service system administration module.
Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels
Username and password plus internal processes, audited in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 protocols.
Access restriction testing frequency
At least every 6 months
Management access authentication
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Limited access network (for example PSN)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password
  • Other
Description of management access authentication
Each Impulse Nexus user is created with a secure and unique account with strong password requirements.
The software only gives Administrators access to make controls within Impulse Nexus software.
Access to the hosted service is via SSO as standard.
Database access privileges and role-based user access can be assigned by the customer system administration facilities.

Only a small number of CACI consultants are provided with special access privileged, these are subject to a technical competency assessment and are in accordance with our Privileged Access Rights and Segregation of Duties policies.

Audit information for users

Access to user activity audit information
Users have access to real-time audit information
How long user audit data is stored for
At least 12 months
Access to supplier activity audit information
Users have access to real-time audit information
How long supplier audit data is stored for
At least 12 months
How long system logs are stored for
At least 12 months

Standards and certifications

ISO/IEC 27001 certification
Yes
Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001
Certified by British Standards Institute for ISO27001 (cert # IS501477).
ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date
Original Registration Date: 11th April 2006 – last re-certification date was on the 6th July 2021
What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover
Our ISO 27001 certification covers all CACI services, offices, and data centres.
ISO 28000:2007 certification
No
CSA STAR certification
No
PCI certification
No
Cyber essentials
Yes
Cyber essentials plus
Yes
Other security certifications
Yes
Any other security certifications
  • ISO 9001 - this includes additional elements regarding security
  • Data Seal - DS 27001/1-2014
  • Registered with the ICO - Network and Information Systems Directive

Security governance

Named board-level person responsible for service security
Yes
Security governance certified
Yes
Security governance standards
  • ISO/IEC 27001
  • Other
Other security governance standards
CACI also holds Data Seal.
CACI are registered with the ICO under the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Directive.
Additionally, CACI holds ISO/IEC standards in 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems (QMS), ISO/IEC 20000-1 Service Management System (SMS) and ISO/IEC 14001 Envi-ronmental management (EMS).
Information security policies and processes
Systems installed on highly available hardware in CACI owned data centres, backed up nightly on offsite encrypted media, patched regularly, Protected by high-end firewall systems, intrusion detection and antivirus systems.

CACI have an Information Security Management System (ISMS) containing a set of policies, procedures, and technical controls for systematically managing sensitive data, systems, and processes. The foundation of our ISMS is designed aligned to ISO27000. We have also adopted the security best practices detailed within the National Cyber Security Centre’s 14 Cloud Security Principles, 10 Steps to Cyber Security and 12 Supply Chain Principles along with the Government’s Technology Code of Practice into our Information Security Management System (ISMS) forming part of BAU. CACI maintains a Risk Management programme. We maintain ongoing initiatives to help minimise risks associated with human error, theft, fraud, and misuse of facilities. These initiatives include screening, confidentiality agreements, security awareness education and training, and enforcement of disciplinary actions. Regular audits and KPI metrics are used to monitor and demonstrate compliance and continued effectiveness of CACI’s ISMS.

Operational security

Configuration and change management standard
Supplier-defined controls
Configuration and change management approach
Documented change management systems form part of ISMS. Major/significant changes are peer reviewed and approved by the change advisory board (CAB) which delivers support to a change management team by approve, assess, prioritise the requested changes.

All changes are subject to our Change Control Policy. Where there’s the possibility of an impact to user activity, the appropriate stakeholders are notified for feedback.

Changes are forwarded to Change managers for CAB approval, who may append plans when appropriate.

Robust systems acceptance testing processes have been established for all new information systems, upgrades and new versions, conducted by dedicated quality assurance team.
Vulnerability management type
Supplier-defined controls
Vulnerability management approach
Independent penetration testing is conducted annually. Regular vulnerabilities scans are conducted utilising the Nessus vulnerability scanning product. CACI’s in-house cloud hosting solution has an independent IT Health Check and approved for government PSN standards.

Deployment of service packs / updates are in accordance with ISO27001 policy; first to a test group then after a successful testing period deployed to the remainder. Critical patches are applied immediately. Systems / applications are routinely updated/ patched to the latest release levels to ensure best practices for security via leading security applications, alerts, publications to counter new / emerging threats.
Protective monitoring type
Supplier-defined controls
Protective monitoring approach
Robust security logging and alerting controls are in place to capture events in order to prevent security incidents and malpractices, including Active Directory, Intrusion Protection System (IPS) and Data Loss Prevention (DLP).

Solutions are also in place to monitor systems and alert administrators of possible capacity, and resource problems.

Logs are stored centrally and reviewed on a daily basis.

CACI has robust and mature incident response plans and processes and business continuity management to minimise the impact of a cyber-security attack or incident.

Our Security Teams consultants are available 24/7 to react and respond to critical security and infrastructure events.
Incident management type
Supplier-defined controls
Incident management approach
All employees are required to report any real, perceived, or potential security incidents that may affect the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of data.
All Security Incidents are recorded in-line with our Security Incident Policy and Response Procedure, for each incident a root cause analysis is conducted, a corrective action undertaken, and a preventative action will be implemented to prevent or reduce the probability of the incident reoccurring in the future.
CACI’s cyber security management programme includes cyber incident response plans, advanced technical controls, operation resilience and business continuity management to minimise the impact of a cyber-security attack or incident.

Secure development

Approach to secure software development best practice
Independent review of processes (for example CESG CPA Build Standard, ISO/IEC 27034, ISO/IEC 27001 or CSA CCM v3.0)

Public sector networks

Connection to public sector networks
Yes
Connected networks
  • Public Services Network (PSN)
  • NHS Network (N3)
  • Health and Social Care Network (HSCN)
  • Other
Other public sector networks
CACI provide connectivity to DfE eligibility checking service.

Social Value

Social Value

Social Value

  • Fighting climate change
  • Tackling economic inequality
  • Equal opportunity
  • Wellbeing

Fighting climate change

As a supplier primarily of professional IT services, CACI’s environmental impact is minimal. However, we are constantly looking at how we can operate more efficiently in our fight towards climate change. We are working towards a Net Zero Carbon business model through our delivery to our customers as promoting this to our supply chain.

This commitment is demonstrated by our achievement of ISO14001 accreditation, which we have held for nine years. To attain this standard, we ensure our Environment Management System (EMS) met the following requirements:

-Awareness of environmental impact through procedures and controls

-Acceptance of responsibility through environmental management systems

-Reducing harmful impacts via environmental policies

-Displaying community responsibility via staff training and awareness

We are fully committed to working towards a circular economy approach and where practically possible CACI select the most sustainable means to operate its facilities We remain aware of any and all opportunities to share, lease, reuse, repair, refurbish and recycle existing materials and products. That includes using recycled paper, enforcing double sided printing, and using Energy Star devices. Our recycling policy includes energy/water consumption, waste materials and paper use.

CACI has an agreed Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) which is in implementation and is published on our website. This includes a set of carbon reduction targets up until 2040, with a baseline period set from July 2020 to June 2021.

Tackling economic inequality

CACI is dedicated to creating employment opportunities, working with local suppliers and hiring local people. We adjust our recruitment and training processes to focus on attributes rather than qualifications, which could exclude those from a disadvantaged background or deprived areas. Inclusivity and accessibility are encouraged via unconscious bias education and positive and inclusive designs, accessible capabilities, and inclusivity in gathering requirements for digital services. For example, we work closely with the National Autistic Society and Autism at Work to create an inclusive recruitment process, actively supporting neurodiverse candidates to flourish.

CACI works with a number of outreach organisations to develop and attract individuals from minority groups into the cyber security sector, including CyberFirst. A number of our employees volunteer as Ambassadors to this NCSC led government outreach programme. This is a reflection of our belief in the programme’s mission, to develop a sustainable and diverse talent pipeline into the cyber security industry. The majority of the programme’s focus is on students in UK schools, to improve issues with massive student dropout from IT education.

CACI has pledged to promote equality of opportunity within our supply chain, and work with a diverse range, including specialist Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)s. Our network is diverse and wide ranging in terms of skill set, age of business, make up of employees, geographical location, and therefore varying business cultures and diversity of individuals.

We are focussed on creating opportunities from the following groups who experience barriers to employment :

-Long term unemployed

-Armed forces veterans

-Mothers returning to work

-Care leavers

Equal opportunity

CACI’s Equal Opportunities policy formalises our approach to not discriminate against any employee on the basis of sex or sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability or age, pregnancy or maternity or other characteristics defined in anti-discrimination legislation (Protected Characteristics), or trade union membership or the fact that they are a part-time worker or a fixed-term employee. Our employees and applicants for employment with CACI are not disadvantaged by any policies or conditions of service which cannot be justified as necessary for operational purposes.

CACI is dedicated to ensuring our work environment, operational delivery and recruitment processes accommodate people with disabilities. Adjustments are made to ensure that those with disabilities are included and supported in our workplaces.

Our Workplace Adjustment Passport (WAP) enables employees to declare a disability, workplace adjustments are driven at company level.

CACI has signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme, formalising our commitment to play a lead role in changing attitudes for the better. We aim to successfully employ and retain disabled people and/or those with health conditions. When designing internal training or selecting an external partner, staff are consulted to capture any specialist needs to tailor sessions, including location, means of delivery and materials. This ensures all staff can develop in a comfortable and accessible environment.

CACI also works closely with the National Autistic Society to create an inclusive recruitment process, partnering with their Autism at Work programme; actively supporting neurodiverse candidates to flourish.

CACI have funded the creation of a number of staff networks, where employees with protected characteristics have time and resources to share ideas and support in a safe private environment. CACI have also offered specific training and talks from speakers related to these characteristics.

Wellbeing

CACI has a range of comprehensive support initiatives that have been implemented to aid the health and wellbeing of our workforce (including contractors). Below is a comprehensive list, with specific reference to the six standards of Mental Health at Work commitment.

Promotion of an Open Culture around Mental Health:

-Team of 18 Mental Health First Aiders

-Conduct regular drop-in sessions for all staff, delivered by a Mental Health First Aider Team, focus on a particular element of Mental Health

Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace by developing and delivering a systematic programme of activity:

-Regular check-ins for staff and our contractor workforce

-Annual Staff Satisfaction Survey, which includes a section on Health & Wellbeing

-Free 24/7 professional counselling

-Private healthcare and health and wellbeing plan (extendable to family members/dependents)

-Employee Assistance Programme

-Discounted gym memberships

-Physiotherapy

-Medical services

-Mental Health First Aider programme

-Stress assessments

Proactively ensure work design and organisational culture to drive positive mental health outcomes

-Comprehensive property and facilities management, ensuring modern, comfortable and state of the art technology for all employees

-Distributed Working Programme, allowing employees and contractors to structure their working week in a way that suits their preference and personal commitments whilst delivering against their work accountabilities

-Open and honest communications at all levels throughout the organisation

Increased organisational confidence and capability:

-Dedicated area of our company intranet for mental health and wellbeing, including various supporting resources and colleagues

-Line Managers and Career Coaches trained in aspects of mental health

Provide mental health tools and support:

-Formal Mental Health First Aid Programme including a team of MHFAs

Increase transparency and accountability through internal and external reporting:

-Publish the results of our annual staff satisfaction survey to all staff. Includes Mental Health and Wellbeing, actions taken and areas for improvement

Pricing

Price
£1,000 a user a year
Discount for educational organisations
Yes
Free trial available
No

Service documents

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at digital.marketplace@caci.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.