NEC SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS UK LIMITED

NEC Registry as a Service

NEC Health’s Registries as a Service (RaaS) provides a scalable data entry and collection system for the healthcare industry. Combining simple to use functionality with market leading data storage, RaaS allows the easy gathering and analysis of healthcare data.

Features

  • Data Validation
  • Import/Export APIs
  • Real-time reporting
  • Mobile Access
  • Cloud Hosted
  • Multi-Lingual

Benefits

  • Quick and easy data entry improves data accuracy
  • API's reduce replication of data input, quick entry improves accuracy
  • Secure data storage ensures respondents data is protected
  • Outcome reporting modules allow quick high-level analysis of data
  • Simple user administration allows fast onboarding of new staff
  • In-system resources provide usage guidance

Pricing

£25,000 a licence a year

Service documents

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Framework

G-Cloud 13

Service ID

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

Contact

NEC SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS UK LIMITED NEC Frameworks Team
Telephone: 07852 936231
Email: frameworks@necsws.com

Service scope

Software add-on or extension
No
Cloud deployment model
Private cloud
Service constraints
Not applicable
System requirements
Not applicable

User support

Email or online ticketing support
Email or online ticketing
Support response times
P1 – resolved 4 hrs
P2 – resolved 8 hrs
P3 – resolved 24 hrs
User can manage status and priority of support tickets
Yes
Online ticketing support accessibility
None or don’t know
Phone support
Yes
Phone support availability
9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
Web chat support
Web chat
Web chat support availability
9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
Web chat support accessibility standard
None or don’t know
How the web chat support is accessible
Not applicable
Web chat accessibility testing
Not applicable
Onsite support
Yes, at extra cost
Support levels
RaaS operates under a SaaS model, with a consultative approach to set up, your Sales Manager will liaise with your internal stakeholders to understand your requirements from the system and work with our Implementation Team who will set up the system to your specification. During this period you ill also be provided with an Implementation Manager to assist with the onboarding journey. Once set up is complete and you begin to operate the system in a BAU capacity, Support response is available 09:00 - 17:30 each Business Day.
Support available to third parties
No

Onboarding and offboarding

Getting started
Customers will be provided with an Implementation manager, who will work with key stakeholders to arrange system specifics, user set up and details on training and documentation.

Registries as a Service, is designed to be “pick-up and play” with all training and user documentation available through the system itself.
Service documentation
Yes
Documentation formats
PDF
End-of-contract data extraction
The client’s account on the system will be decommissioning, all user access terminated and historic data stored in line with GDPR and the client’s wishes.
End-of-contract process
The buyer has the facility to extract data from the SaaS via the standard reporting suite prior to the end of the contract. If the buyer would like an extract via any other means please refer to the NEC’s Terms and conditions (“Supplier Terms”): Health Software as a Service (SaaS) Offboarding and Data Extraction

“If the Buyer would like to extract any or all of their Buyer Data in a different manner outside of the standard reporting suite available within the SaaS upon the termination or expiry of this Agreement, then the Buyer must give the Supplier a minimum of two months written notice of the same prior to the date of termination or expiry, whereupon the Buyer and Supplier shall agree the scope of the Buyer Data to be extracted together with the format of the extracted Buyer Data and associated costs.
Following any extraction of Buyer Data as agreed between the parties in accordance with the paragraph above, as stated in the paragraph “Termination and Consequences of Termination” in the General Provisions above, all Buyer Data will be deleted”

Using the service

Web browser interface
Yes
Supported browsers
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Chrome
  • Safari
Application to install
No
Designed for use on mobile devices
Yes
Differences between the mobile and desktop service
The RaaS solution is a web browser hosted solution optimised for mobiles and retains the same interface across platforms
Service interface
No
User support accessibility
None or don’t know
API
Yes
What users can and can't do using the API
The API can be used to import and export collected data into existing systems.
API documentation
Yes
API documentation formats
  • HTML
  • PDF
API sandbox or test environment
Yes
Customisation available
Yes
Description of customisation
The system is designed to allow clients to align the system with their own branding.

Scaling

Independence of resources
Our cloud server capacities are scalable (both up and down) based on site traffic, workload etc. ensuring performance levels are maintained. With real-time analysis ensuring the system is always able to manage current load across our solutions. This reduces the chances of drops in functionality as usage increases and reduces costs as usage decreases.

Analytics

Service usage metrics
Yes
Metrics types
The service usage metrics can be accessed by an authorised Customer user on line and upon request can also be e-mailed monthly to that individual. The specific metrics will be dependent on the Registry itself but will typically be;

• Usage by health care professional and sub types.

• Usage by organisation and sub types (e.g., one organisation may have multiple clinics/wards/other)

• Usage by health care professionals within an organisation.

• Usage by patient cohort.
Reporting types
Reports on request

Resellers

Supplier type
Not a reseller

Staff security

Staff security clearance
Conforms to BS7858:2019
Government security clearance
Up to Security Clearance (SC)

Asset protection

Knowledge of data storage and processing locations
Yes
Data storage and processing locations
European Economic Area (EEA)
User control over data storage and processing locations
Yes
Datacentre security standards
Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 3.0)
Penetration testing frequency
At least every 6 months
Penetration testing approach
In-house
Protecting data at rest
Other
Other data at rest protection approach
We use Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) to encrypt data files at rest. TDE performs real time I/O Encryption and Decryption of the data and log files to protect data at rest.
Data sanitisation process
Yes
Data sanitisation type
Deleted data can’t be directly accessed
Equipment disposal approach
A third-party destruction service

Data importing and exporting

Data export approach
Via API or advanced search and export functionality.
Data export formats
  • CSV
  • Other
Other data export formats
  • XML
  • JSON
Data import formats
Other
Other data import formats
XML

Data-in-transit protection

Data protection between buyer and supplier networks
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • Other
Other protection between networks
All data traffic is encrypted in transit.
Data protection within supplier network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Other
Other protection within supplier network
All data is encrypted at rest within the database.

Availability and resilience

Guaranteed availability
NEC use reasonable endeavours to provide the Buyer with at least 48 hours advance notice of any planned maintenance of any infrastructure relating to RaaS and to ensure that RaaS is not be unavailable for more than 12 Core Service Hours in any quarter. Whenever possible, the Buyer will have at least six hours advance notice of any emergency maintenance of any of the infrastructure relating to S4H SaaS. Emergency Maintenance of the Supplier’s infrastructure will, whenever possible, take place between the hours of 17:30 and 09:00 (UK local time) on a Business Day unless there is an identified and demonstrable immediate risk to the S4H SaaS.
Approach to resilience
The underlining public cloud service used by the Registries system has resilience inbuilt within it, this covers standard features such as power and utilities, as well as the infrastructure and compute resources. The support services that NEC offers are built around large teams of specialists who provide a level of resilience to the application support.
By using public cloud, we beneift from multiple aviailibitly domains and datacentres with the cloud.

NEC also runs its disaster recovery and business continuity policies, processes and procedures in line with the standard BS25999 and ISO 22301:2019.
Outage reporting
NEC will provide regular emails regarding service levels, and detail on incidents where raised.
Following resolution of a major incident, a report a created and sent to clients. This includes a detailed write up of the issue and how it was solved, including user/volume impacts, preventative actions, who was involved in resolution and a timeline.
Emails are sent out to userbase and designated stakeholders at initial recognition of a Major Incident, followed by regular update emails during the resolution of the incident.

Identity and authentication

User authentication needed
Yes
User authentication
Username or password
Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels
Username and password, plus access hierarchy to block functionality from certain roles/rights.
Access restriction testing frequency
At least every 6 months
Management access authentication
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Other
Description of management access authentication
NEC uses Privileged Access Management functionality to safeguard management level access into our systems. This is managed via a tiered access hierarchy, with high level users required to grant access, denoting Roles and Rights at the correct level.

Audit information for users

Access to user activity audit information
Users contact the support team to get audit information
How long user audit data is stored for
User-defined
Access to supplier activity audit information
Users contact the support team to get audit information
How long supplier audit data is stored for
User-defined
How long system logs are stored for
User-defined

Standards and certifications

ISO/IEC 27001 certification
Yes
Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001
BSI
ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date
07/06/2021; valid until June 2024. Certificate IS 598449.
What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover
The NEC Information Security Management System (ISMS) is registered to ISO 27001:2013 and therefore audited by BSI at least annually. All NEC staff are required to comply with the ISMS.
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
  • Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus
  • Business Continuity Management ISO22301:2019
  • Environmental Management ISO14001:2015
  • Information Security Management ISO27001:2013
  • Service Management ISO20000:2018
  • Quality Management ISO9001:2015

Security governance

Named board-level person responsible for service security
Yes
Security governance certified
Yes
Security governance standards
ISO/IEC 27001
Information security policies and processes
The NEC Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) operates at board level and has overall responsibility and accountability for all aspect of security governance. The SIRO is supported by an Information Security Steering Group (ISSG) which is headed by the Security Director and has representatives from all areas within the organisation. The ISSG is responsible for agreeing policies with the SIRO and ensuring they are implemented across the business. An operational Security Working Group (SWG) is responsible for managing any incidents that may occur and in an advisory capacity to provide advice and guidance to the organisation.

Operational security

Configuration and change management standard
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Configuration and change management approach
NEC is certified for ISO20000:2018 for Service Management, which covers both our Configuration Management and Change Management processes. This is audited both internally by our Data Protection Officer (DPO) and Head of the Compliance, Risk and Audit team, and externally by the UKAS accredited audit body British Standards Institute, (BSI). NEC follows an ITIL-based approach, and the NEC service desk personnel have undergone the relevant ITIL qualifications for their roles. Our CMDB is updated accordingly throughout the lifetime of the asset, up to and including decommissioning and disposal.
Vulnerability management type
Supplier-defined controls
Vulnerability management approach
NEC has entered into security knowledge sharing partnerships to react to new and increasing threat levels. NEC are members of the NCSC Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership (CiSP) for early identification and advice on security threats, incidents and solutions. The NEC InfoSec team subscribes to a number of key suppliers and cyber security websites, which send daily alerts on the latest vulnerabilities. NEC are members of the Cyber Network Reporting Service (CNR) that helps the NCSC to rapidly notify organisations that might be affected by malicious software.
Protective monitoring type
Supplier-defined controls
Protective monitoring approach
NEC implements a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system which provides alerts and reports that enable log sources to be processed in accordance with GPG13. Custom rules can be defined to detect and alert on suspicious behaviour. The InfoSec team reviews the SIEM alerts and reports on a daily basis to check for any anomalous behaviour. The NEC security monitoring policies and practices are aligned with incident management policies and practices. Any significant security issues identified will result in the NEC InfoSec team raising a security incident in the NEC service management system to initiate the detailed analysis process.
Incident management type
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v3.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Incident management approach
Incident Management is part of our ISO27001:2013 certified Information Security Management system (ISMS). All incidents are handled within the same process. Users report incidents through the Service Desk, and a Security Incident is then raised on the ISMS. This is reviewed by the Security Team and is managed in accordance with the Security Incident Management Process. The security incident is kept updated, and once the Security Incident is closed a full report is produced which is used to identify any lessons learnt.

Secure development

Approach to secure software development best practice
Conforms to a recognised standard, but self-assessed

Public sector networks

Connection to public sector networks
No

Social Value

Fighting climate change

Fighting climate change

NEC has committed to being Net Zero by 2030. We project our carbon emissions will reduce by 50% from our baseline by 2026.
We have implemented a multitude of initiatives to support this:
• Appointing an Environmental Manager and Environmental Champions.
• Successfully obtaining certification for and implementing ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS).
• Developing a Carbon Reduction Plan, which is published on our website and an Environmental Strategy.
• Maintaining an Environmental Aspect and Impact Register (down to site level) through which to capture elements of our operating practices which could negatively impact the environment.
• Working with government accredited consultants to understand environmental impact and using outputs to inform future improvement activities.
• Collaborative activities to influence customers, supply chain partners and employees.
Specific initiatives applicable to our contract delivery approach include:
• Energy used on the contract will be from green energy sources.
Business travel will reduce where possible through utilisation of technology such as:
• Video conferencing.
• Sharing documents.
• Conference call facilities.
• Working from home/flexible working arrangements.
• Approval controls in place for commercial flights.
• Use of environmentally friendly data centres.
Our Environmental Policy objectives, relevant to the contract include:
• Meeting all relevant legal requirements and monitoring our compliance.
• Minimising our environmental impacts for the life cycle (including disposal) of work equipment and other physical assets under our control.
• Demonstrating efficient use of energy, water, and other natural resources.
• Maximising opportunities to minimise our waste by reusing or recycling waste, where practical.
• Ensuring our supply chain is aware of our environmental policy and our commitment to ensuring its effective implementation.
• Increasing environmental awareness and commitment amongst colleagues through training and briefings.
Continuing to identify opportunities to improve our environmental performance through clear objectives, plans and targets.
Covid-19 recovery

Covid-19 recovery

Since the emergence of Covid-19 as a global health crisis, we have supported our customers and the local communities they serve to adapt to the challenges posed by the pandemic. As a supplier of software and services to the public sector, this has included rapid development and deployment of software solutions to enable the efficient and effective delivery of new government schemes and changes in legislation, such as provision of Test and Trace Support Payments and new hospitality sector licensing requirements.
Initiatives we have implemented to support the policy outcomes include:
• Increasing our pre-pandemic workforce numbers through recruitment of an additional 250 UK based roles, many of whom were unemployed following redundancy from other sectors such as hospitality.
• Re-training and redeploying temporarily displaced colleagues rather than imposing redundancies or taking advantage of the furlough scheme.
• Commitment to investing over £400,000 in training and apprenticeships.
• Working collaboratively with customers to introduce new ways of working.
• Delivering community based social value through donations in kind to voluntary sector organisations impacted by the pandemic.
As part of our response to the pandemic we invested in and introduced several initiatives and workplace adaptations to protect employee health and safety, including:
• Introducing wider use of remote and flexible working, including making additional allowances for those caring for young children.
• Enhancing office safety, including installing sanitising stations, hygiene screens and digital thermometers.
• Increasing the frequency of colleague communications, with a focus on provision of mental health support and reducing the risks of isolation/loneliness.
• Providing all employees with free access to additional specialist resources, including 24x7 counselling and mental health services.
Tackling economic inequality

Tackling economic inequality

We recognise the expertise, innovation and value that can be gained from having a diverse supply chain and providing all suppliers with a fair and equal opportunity to become suppliers to us and our customers. We operate openly and transparently to enable this collaboration with third-party suppliers including large enterprises, sub-contractors, SMEs, VCSEs, mutuals and social enterprise organisations.
Additionally, we are committed to nurturing new and existing talent and creating a sustainable learning and development culture, equipping our staff with the appropriate skills, knowledge and processes so the company continues to deliver innovative, industry leading solutions.
Processes and practices we have adopted to tackle economic inequality include:
• Using outcome-based specifications and co-design methods to encourage suppliers, communities, users and third sector organisations to collaborate and propose solutions based upon end user requirements, rather than being prescriptive.
• Advertising supply chain opportunities openly and always operating transparently.
• Including modules covering anti-bribery and corruption, whistleblowing, equality and diversity in our all-colleague compulsory Annual Compliance Training.
• Having policies and operating practices that support effective supply chain relationships through fair selection and responsible management. For example, only flowing down appropriate contract terms.
• Paying at least 95% of all invoices within agreed terms and agreeing to reduced payment terms for SMEs and subcontractors.
• Never deducting sums from payments as a charge for remaining on our supplier list.
• Investing in new jobs and training opportunities through an active Apprenticeship scheme.
• Creating opportunities for career progression and investing in reward and recognition initiatives that support employee retention.
• Following the foundational principles of the Good Work Plan in respect of employee satisfaction, fair pay, well-being and safety, career progression, voice, and autonomy.
• Having appropriate controls in place to mitigate cyber security risks.
Equal opportunity

Equal opportunity

We want to be an employer of choice for people of all backgrounds, regardless of sexuality, disability, nationality, race, gender or religion. We are committed to ensuring workers either directly employed or employed within our supply chains are treated fairly, humanely, and equitably.
To encourage a diverse and varied workforce our approach to equal opportunity includes:
• Ensuring job adverts reach a diverse audience, including utilising job sites which encourage interest from disadvantaged and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups.
• Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, supporting candidates with disabilities through provision of supportive technology and/or changes to working practices.
• Collecting, analysing and senior reporting of equality and diversity data obtained during recruitment activities.
• Making appointments on the grounds of selecting the most suitable candidate for the post.
• Gender-neutral role definitions.
• Ensuring policies and employee communications promote respect and equality for all.
Other activities supporting equal opportunity within the workforce include:
• Tackling gender pay gap, through annual audits. Women now comprise over a third of our leadership team, including our Chief Executive.
• Compliance with Modern Slavery Act 2015 and 9 core principles of Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code.
• Ensuring effective controls are in place to mitigate and manage risks of exploitation within the supply chain, including supplier questionnaires and evidence requirements.
• Provision of appropriate channels for colleagues to have an effective voice, such as our Employee Steering Group.
• Investment in workforce development and training, including an active Apprenticeship and Graduate Recruitment programme.
• No use of zero hours contracts or fire and rehire practices.
• Being a Real Living Wage Employer.
• Flexible working practices.
• Transparent and structured promotion, pay and reward processes.
• Senior level sponsorship at board level supporting and promoting equal opportunity beyond basic statutory requirements.
Wellbeing

Wellbeing

Physical Fitness and Mental Stability is one of our sustainable development goals.
Our approach to supporting good health and wellbeing which will be applicable to the contract workforce includes:
• Providing employees with free and confidential access to specialist resources 24x7, including counselling and mental health services through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Providing private healthcare cover for employees. Cover includes Doctor at Hand service to provide employees with fast and convenient access to advice, assistance and medical treatment, GP appointments anytime and anywhere.
• Maintaining compliance with the six standards of the Mental Health at Work commitment and a dedicated module to promote health and wellbeing as part of our all-colleague compulsory compliance training.
• Accommodating workplace adjustments, such as supportive technology for those with a disability or health condition.
• Encouraging good physical health by providing discounted corporate gym membership over 3,300 participating gyms through our employee GymFlex scheme.
We incorporate national health and wellbeing campaigns within our communications calendar, raising employee awareness and signpost to useful support pathways. Our 2022/23 calendar include raising awareness of the following nationally recognised campaigns:
• Stress Awareness Day.
• Mental Health Awareness week.
• World Menopause Day.
• National Eye Health week.
• World Diabetes Day.
• Stress Awareness Month.
• Suicide Prevention Day.
• Men's Health week.
Within one of our acquired businesses, we have Mental Health First Aiders who have trained to spot signs of mental ill health and provide early support for colleagues who may be developing a mental health issue.
Supporting employee health and wellbeing is underpinned by clear action plans for improvement and several Human Resources policies, such as our:
• Health and Safety Policy
• Alcohol, Drugs & Solvent Abuse Policy
• Menopause Policy
• Absence Policy
• Flexible Working Policy
• Gender Reassignment Policy.

Pricing

Price
£25,000 a licence a year
Discount for educational organisations
No
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 frameworks@necsws.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.