Equantiis Ltd

Niico

Niico provides an intelligent automation service using RPA, ML, AI and OCR technology.

Niico helps organisations meet their security and compliance obligations through independent consultancy

Features

  • RPA, AI, OCR, NLP and ML technologies
  • Articifical Intelligence
  • Attended and Unattended Bots
  • Cyber Security Services
  • Student Experience Automation
  • Centre of Excellence
  • Business Process Mapping
  • Higher Education "Bots out of Box"
  • Requirements Gathering
  • Local Regional Government "Bots out of Box"

Benefits

  • Cost Reduction
  • Improved Customer Experience
  • No need to upgrade core systems
  • Speed to implement
  • Managed and maintained by internal IT resources

Pricing

£2,000 to £5,000 a unit

  • Education pricing available
  • Free trial 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 alistair@equantiis.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 13

Service ID

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

Contact

Equantiis Ltd Alistair Sergeant
Telephone: 0203 376 7447
Email: alistair@equantiis.com

Service scope

Software add-on or extension
No
Cloud deployment model
  • Public cloud
  • Private cloud
  • Community cloud
  • Hybrid cloud
Service constraints
None
System requirements
  • Secure connection to cloud
  • Virtual desktops for attended bots to run on

User support

Email or online ticketing support
Email or online ticketing
Support response times
Responses are within 1 hour Mon-Fri 9x5

24x7 support is not available
User can manage status and priority of support tickets
No
Phone support
Yes
Phone support availability
9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
Web chat support
No
Onsite support
No
Support levels
Bronze Silver Gold
9-5 Support Y Y Y
24x7 Support N Y Y
Maximum Amount of active bots 3 6 Unlimited
Proactive Process Optimisation N N Y
Security Patching Y Y Y
Active Business Monitoring Y Y Y
Upgrades Included Y Y Y
SLA Y Y Y
Fully Redundant Y Y Y
Fully Monitored Y Y Y
Support available to third parties
Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

Getting started
We begin with a discovery service that allows us to understand the business processes. From here, a project plan is built outlining the implementation, UAT and training needs.

Hypercare support is provided for 2 weeks after go live and a lessons learnt session is then undertaken 4 weeks after project.

The implementation can be carried out online or onsite.
Service documentation
Yes
Documentation formats
PDF
End-of-contract data extraction
Exit plans are agreed at contract signature. Data is provided back in raw format it was provided (excel) along with PDF of technical details
End-of-contract process
End of contract includes a service review meeting where service is feedback for improvements for both parties. This is documented and the service is shut down. All data is handed back to the client within 7 days of service shut down.

Using the service

Web browser interface
Yes
Supported browsers
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
Application to install
Yes
Compatible operating systems
  • Android
  • IOS
  • Linux or Unix
  • MacOS
  • Windows
  • Windows Phone
Designed for use on mobile devices
No
Service interface
No
User support accessibility
WCAG 2.1 AAA
API
No
Customisation available
Yes
Description of customisation
Niico provides a number of out the box business processes i.e. accounts payable, password rest etc. We aim for 90% of the processes to be standard and 10% to be configured to client specific needs.

Scaling

Independence of resources
Each client has their own dedicated instance and are not impacted on demands from other clients for Enterprise packages.

Shared service platforms are managed and monitored 24x7 with spike capabilities built in

Analytics

Service usage metrics
No

Resellers

Supplier type
Reseller providing extra features and support
Organisation whose services are being resold
Automation Anywhere, Ui Path, Blue Prism, Microsoft

Staff security

Staff security clearance
Staff screening not performed
Government security clearance
None

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
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
Another external penetration testing organisation
Protecting data at rest
Encryption of all physical media
Data sanitisation process
No
Equipment disposal approach
A third-party destruction service

Data importing and exporting

Data export approach
Requests sent to service desk who log as a P2 ticket
Data export formats
CSV
Data import formats
CSV

Data-in-transit protection

Data protection between buyer and supplier networks
  • Private network or public sector network
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
Data protection within supplier network
IPsec or TLS VPN gateway

Availability and resilience

Guaranteed availability
All services are provided using AWS and Azure cloud resources which will have a 24x7 99.9% uptime monitored and managed
Approach to resilience
The service is built across two data centres that have intelligent automatic failover.

The service is designed to not impact any operations in the event of a switchover.
Outage reporting
Service reports are emailed to client and managed via service delivery manager

Identity and authentication

User authentication needed
Yes
User authentication
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password
Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels
Each client has it's own username and password with dedicated URL. These are supported by 2FA for secure access

Support have no access to underlying data within clients environment unless permitted to do so under agreed terms with client
Access restriction testing frequency
At least every 6 months
Management access authentication
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password

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
No
ISO 28000:2007 certification
No
CSA STAR certification
No
PCI certification
No
Cyber essentials
Yes
Cyber essentials plus
No
Other security certifications
No

Security governance

Named board-level person responsible for service security
Yes
Security governance certified
Yes
Security governance standards
Other
Other security governance standards
Cyber Essentials PLUS
Information security policies and processes
We align towards the ICO best practices and ISO27001.

Our full info sec policies can be found at https://www.equantiis.com/privacy-data-protection-policy/

Operational security

Configuration and change management standard
Supplier-defined controls
Configuration and change management approach
Customers requiring changes will log a ticket through the normal process.

The change managment process is assigned to a technical lead who reviews the request in part of the weekly CAB process.

Commercial impacts are qualified at this point and sent back to the client for approval.

Once approved, the change is scheduled followed by a UAT and sign off period.

Handover is then completed with support and run books amended to reflect the change
Vulnerability management type
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Vulnerability management approach
Vulnerabilities are monitored and managed through service desk.

Critical patches are deployed within 24 hours following the CAB escalation processes. These updates are down outside of business hours

Low and Medium patches follow the CAB process and are scheduled into every bi-weekly sprint run

The service desk monitors industry portals, manufacture updates and government information on security and vulnerability patches
Protective monitoring type
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Protective monitoring approach
Using cloud native tools, the service is monitored 24x7 and escalates to the service desk as part of the ITIL based practice.

Compromises are escalated through P1 issues up to senior engineer and assigned a Service Delivery Manager who controls the communication and overall managment of the remedial works.

Updates are provided to board regularly should escalation and P1 severity be required.
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
Using ITIL management approach which has direct access to escalate to board level.

Managed through our service desk manager and controlled through service desk platform to maintain communications

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
No

Social Value

Fighting climate change

Fighting climate change

Equantiis Consulting
Environmental Policy
May 2022

The Environmental Policy of Equantiis (“the Company”) is to ensure so far as it is reasonably practicable that its operations will be carried out with a commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment.

As an office we know that we generate waste paper products. However, as we strive for excellence in every aspect of our business we are committed to minimising the environmental impacts of the business operation.

1. Our stated aims are to:
1.1 Aim to continuously improve our environmental performance particularly with regards to our recycling and re-use of paper.
1.2 Where possible we will use recycled or ecologically friendly paper.
1.3 We will use ‘waste’ paper for notepads unless confidentiality may be compromised.
1.4 Reduce our consumption of resources and improve the efficiency of those resources by printing double sided where practicable
1.5 Manage waste generated from my business operations according to the principles of reduction, re-use and recycling
1.6 Recycle all paper products, ink or toner cartridges.
1.7 Comply as a minimum with all relevant environmental legislation as well as other environmental requirements.

This Environmental Policy Statement will be regularly reviewed and updated as necessary. The management team endorses these policy statements and is fully committed to their implementation.
Covid-19 recovery

Covid-19 recovery

Our full, comprehensive policy and contingency plan is available on request to our clients and suppliers. The approach we have adopted is based on fundamental guidance from the following sources:

We expect our staff to continue to fulfil their roles and deliver their obligations to our clients; any changes to this expectation will be informed and influenced by government advice and communicated both to staff and to our clients accordingly.

Face to face meetings and event delivery
From a face to face and event delivery perspective, Equantiis will take the following approach:

We will ask client sites and venues about concerns and plans around COVID-19 and/or contagion.
For staff attending client sites where an outbreak has been confirmed or suspected, we will ask the client to confirm that the relevant precautions as identified by government or international authorities have been taken. Providing this is confirmed by the client, then the face to face activities should be discharged as normal with an offer of an option to use video conferring/teleconferencing as an alternative.
Where and when necessary and feasible, we will make arrangements to provide business as usual meetings remotely via telephone or video conference.
Attendees coming to an event with us will be advised to only attend the event if they are fit to and are not required to self-isolate or have any health concerns related to the coronavirus.
Should an attendee become unwell during an event or show symptoms consistent with the coronavirus, our facilitator will request that the delegate take immediate advice from a reputable source such as the NHS 111 and share the outcome with the facilitator. Appropriate action will then be taken with further guidance sought if required.
Our other business lines and services that are delivered remotely are unaffected by this policy.
Tackling economic inequality

Tackling economic inequality

Equal Opportunities

The company aims to provide a workplace with equality of opportunity and which is free from any form of discrimination, victimisation, bulling or harassment by ensuring that individuals receive treatment that is fair and equitable and consistent with their aptitudes, potential skills and abilities. The company is committed to making the full use of the talents and resources of all its employees. Employees will be recruited and selected, remunerated, promoted and trained on the basis of objective criteria. Differences in individuals are valued and respected.

The company is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment or financial reward through direct or indirect discrimination, harassment, bulling or victimisation on the grounds of sex, age, disability, race, creed, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality or citizenship, community background, civil partnership relationships, religious beliefs, marital or parental status, political opinions, part-time or fixed-term status, gender or gender orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or membership or non membership of a Trade Union. The company will not discriminate against anyone who has a spent conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

No employee or potential employee will be disadvantaged by any conditions of employment or requirements that cannot be justified on operational grounds.

Employees are requested and required to uphold the Equal Opportunities principles, and must be aware that any breach of the company policy could result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. In some circumstances, the individual employee who breaches this policy may also be referred to the Police and Crown Prosecution Service for consideration of possible criminal prosecution.
Equal opportunity

Equal opportunity

Equal Opportunities

The company aims to provide a workplace with equality of opportunity and which is free from any form of discrimination, victimisation, bulling or harassment by ensuring that individuals receive treatment that is fair and equitable and consistent with their aptitudes, potential skills and abilities. The company is committed to making the full use of the talents and resources of all its employees. Employees will be recruited and selected, remunerated, promoted and trained on the basis of objective criteria. Differences in individuals are valued and respected.

The company is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment or financial reward through direct or indirect discrimination, harassment, bulling or victimisation on the grounds of sex, age, disability, race, creed, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality or citizenship, community background, civil partnership relationships, religious beliefs, marital or parental status, political opinions, part-time or fixed-term status, gender or gender orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or membership or non membership of a Trade Union. The company will not discriminate against anyone who has a spent conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

No employee or potential employee will be disadvantaged by any conditions of employment or requirements that cannot be justified on operational grounds.

Employees are requested and required to uphold the Equal Opportunities principles, and must be aware that any breach of the company policy could result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. In some circumstances, the individual employee who breaches this policy may also be referred to the Police and Crown Prosecution Service for consideration of possible criminal prosecution.
Wellbeing

Wellbeing

The Company believes that its employees are its most valuable resource and that their wellbeing is vital to effective performance at work and the continued provision of high-quality services. To this end, the Company is committed to providing maintaining and promoting a healthy and supportive working environment.

Under the terms of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Company has a duty to ensure the health and safety of its employees as far as is reasonably practical.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 place a duty on the Company to assess and control the degree of stress in the workplace.

The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on the Company not to discriminate against employees who suffer from a disability under the Act, which includes long term ill health caused by stress at work.

Although the Company has no control over external or personal factors, it is committed to managing stress and risks within its control, and to providing support to employees who are suffering from stress.

Aims of the Policy

To ensure the physical and mental health of all employees;

To promote a healthy, safe and friendly working environment and control and reduce risks to mental health;

To help provide and maintain a supportive and non judgmental working environment;

To provide effective support to all employees in managing stress and other mental health problems, and to encourage better recognition of mental health issues; and

To recognise that the prevention of stress is easier than dealing with it once it has arisen.

Pricing

Price
£2,000 to £5,000 a unit
Discount for educational organisations
Yes
Free trial available
Yes
Description of free trial
A free POC is available subject to terms

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 alistair@equantiis.com. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.