Astun Technology Ltd

Astun Clarity

Astun Clarity is a cloud based metadata service that provides both internal metadata maintenance and discovery services with a workflow for quality approval and subsequent publication of a subset of records to data.gov.uk or another standards compliant portal.

Features

• INSPIRE compliant service
• Automatic validation of metadata against schema
• Support for custom schemas
• QA and Approval for Publication workflows
• Serve metadata via an OGC CSW to the data.gov.uk portal
• Organisational and departmental hierarchy
• Separate internal and public metadata
• Internal and Public discovery services
• No need to implement any additional technology locally
• Enterprise Grade Support

Benefits

• Custom cloud based metadata service
• Uses GeoNetwork like most of the world's spatial data infrastructures
• Full support for UK GEMINI metadata standards
• Metadata Publishing provides full UK Location Programme compatibility
• Ensures that data is managed and discoverable across your organisation
• Provides real business value and business efficiency
• Multiple catalogs for both internal-facing and external-facing metadata
• Serve metadata to data.gov.uk and other standards compliant portals
• Automated Metadata Creation and Update, saving time and resources

£25,000 to £50,000 a unit a year

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

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

Framework

G-Cloud 13

Service ID

611573490612271

Contact

Astun Technology Sales Team
01372 744009
sales@astuntechnology.com

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: No
• Cloud deployment model: Community cloud
• Service constraints: Most planned maintenance will be undertaken without interrupting service availability however in the event that this is not possible downtime will be scheduled and agreed with the customer in advance.
• System requirements:
  • Internet access
  • Connectivity via VPN or IP Restriction for secure internal users
  • Appropriate sub-domain and site certificates

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: Astun provide the support service during normal working hours, which are between 0900 and 1700 GMT, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.; ; The response times for calls logged by the customer are set out in the accompanying Astun Platform Terms & Conditions document.
• 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: No
• Onsite support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support levels: Astun provide the following Astun Clarity support as standard:; 1. Advice on maintaining Astun Clarity.; 2. Advice on the implementation of the Gemini 2 metadata schema.; 3. Instructions on how to remedy common faults.; 5. Resolution of issues related directly to a serious flaw in Astun Clarity; 6. The Customer may obtain Astun Clarity support by logging a request on Astun’s Support Portal.; ; First line support is provided via a permanently staffed Service Desk with second and third line support by consultancy and development teams for fault diagnosis and resolution. Customer access to web based Service Desk provides real time ticket management and correspondence on all customer tickets.; ; The support conditions, support processes, the service level agreement and escalation procedures are detailed in the accompanying document - Astun Platform Terms and Conditions.
• Support available to third parties: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: On receipt of a purchase order Astun Technology will provide access to a customer specific Astun Clarity hosted environment.; ; Astun provide onsite training for administrators and user documentation.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: In the event that the customer terminates the service they can download their metadata records from Astun Clarity in a standard XML file format.
• End-of-contract process: On receipt of a written request to terminate the Astun Clarity service and subject to there being no unpaid charges outstanding, Astun will delete the hosted environment including all servers, datasets, user details and customer specific configuration ; ; Any further "Off-boarding" assistance is chargeable in accordance with Astun's SFIA rate card.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Opera
• Application to install: No
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: All public facing elements of the service have been implemented using responsive design to optimise the user experience on mobile devices.
• Service interface: No
• User support accessibility: None or don’t know
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: Astun Clarity is based on GeoNetwork which provides a full API to interact with; ; Catalog Service for the Web (CSW); OpenSearch; Open Archive Initiative (OAI); Z39-50; RDF DCAT end point
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats: HTML
• API sandbox or test environment: No
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: The interface can be customised to incorporate customer graphics/logos

Scaling

• Independence of resources: Customers have their own dedicated virtual private cloud.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: Astun Clarity includes reporting functionality on content and search statistics. This includes the ability to filter records on a number of different parameters such as ownership, INSPIRE theme or status.; ; A range of statistics on searches carried out using the Astun Clarity User Interface are available. These include searches by:; User Access; Record ownership; Metadata Updates; Metadata File Uploads; The reports can be filtered by time period and can be viewed online or provided in csv format.
• Reporting types:
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Reports on request

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Conforms to BS7858:2019
• Government security clearance: Up to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations:
  • United Kingdom
  • European Economic Area (EEA)
• User control over data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Datacentre security standards: Managed by a third party
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: Another external penetration testing organisation
• Protecting data at rest: Encryption of all physical media
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Data sanitisation type: Deleted data can’t be directly accessed
• 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: Metadata can be exported as MEF (Metadata Exchange Format) Version 2.0 or CSV
• Data export formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data export formats:
  • MEF (Metadata Exchange Format) Version 2.0
  • CSV
• Data import formats: Other
• Other data import formats: MEF (Metadata Exchange Format) Version 2.0

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks: TLS (version 1.2 or above)
• Data protection within supplier network: TLS (version 1.2 or above)

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: Astun Clarity is hosted on a high availability cloud infrastructure with a failover backup hosted in a different geographic region for maximum resilience.; ; Internal availability testing indicates availability in excess of 99.6%; ; The services are continually monitored with automated messages sent to several staff in the event of a deterioration or failure.
• Approach to resilience: Astun Clarity is hosted within the Amazon Web Services environment (AWS). ; ; The entire cloud environment is backed up to a second geographic availability zone to provide additional resilience in the unlikely event that the primary availability zone becomes unavailable.
• Outage reporting: Astun set up a series of alarms to monitor the customer's cloud service. These alarms are triggered if any pre-set limits to system resources are reached (e.g. disk space). This enables Astun to address the majority of issues before any potential outage.; ; We also use our GeoHealth check system to monitor servers and ensure they are up and working.; ; The customer is informed of any potential problems by email or phone.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication:
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Access to management interfaces are restricted to login from an IP restricted network or over a dedicated VPN between customer network estate and the virtual private cloud environment dedicated to the customer. Access by Astun is also over VPN.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication: Dedicated link (for example VPN)

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

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: No
• Security governance approach: We are currently working towards ISO 27001.
• Information security policies and processes: We are currently working towards ISO 27001. Operational customer data is stored or processed within MEF (Metadata Exchange Format) Version 2.0. Information assurance accreditation has not yet been sought for Astun Clarity, however we consider that Astun Clarity would be classified as BIL0 or BIL1, users should make appropriate decisions regarding what data to deploy within Astun Clarity.

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: Changes to all Astun components are managed and tracked through their lifetime via a centralised bug-tracking, issue-tracking and project-management software application (JIRA) and associated private code repository (BitBucket) managed under source control. The software is built through a repeatable build process and after passing formally defined test cases is tagged to a specific version number at the point of release. Only released software is deployed to the customer virtual private cloud environments. Potential security impacts are assessed via a process of peer review.
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: Information on potential threats is continuously assessed through review of key online resources (release notes, security articles etc) for all third party components (operating systems, databases, frameworks etc). Penetration testing of the full system (including Astun components) is undertaken by independent third parties on all significant software releases. Whilst patch releases are routinely issued on a monthly basis, key security vulnerabilities are patched and released as soon as Astun become aware of them, irrespective of the stage in the release cycle.
• Protective monitoring type: Supplier-defined controls
• Protective monitoring approach: All cloud servers are set up with alarms that monitor key system resources on the server itself allowing the detection of compromises such as denial of service attacks. In addition external monitoring services are set up to make routine periodic requests to the servers (typically every 15 mins), to check that they remain responsive, and send out alerts if any servers are unavailable. Incidents are responded to as soon as we become aware of them. Logging is enabled on the servers to provide an audit trail of potential compromises for subsequent investigation.
• Incident management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Incident management approach: Security related incidents are categorised as a Priority 1 within our Service Desk system, and allocated to third line support personnel (developer) for immediate investigation and resolution. Users are able to report such incidents via the Service Desk (phone, email and web form), which is routinely monitored throughout the working day by first line support staff. Contemporaneous notes are taken during the incident and recorded against the service desk ticket, which provides a detailed report of the incident itself. Key performance indicators are also published from the Service Desk System and routinely reviewed by management on a weekly basis.

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Supplier-defined process

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: No

Social Value

• Fighting climate change:

  Fighting climate change

  Our Environmental and Sustainability Policy (E&SP) helps us minimise our environmental impact. ; ; We monitor our carbon footprint, have made the SME Climate Change Commitment and are members of Race to Zero. We’ll cut our greenhouse gas emissions by half before 2030. Staff are required to turn off equipment when not in use. ; ; We operate fully remotely, reducing travel and heating emissions. If an employee prefers to work from a shared space, we fund their use of a local co-working space. ; ; We have a ‘virtual meetings first’ policy. If travel is essential for business or wellbeing we encourage the use of carsharing or public transport. ; ; We prefer to deliver training courses remotely.; ; IT equipment is securely recycled or refurbished/ rehomed where possible. Disposal is a last resort. ; ; We encourage a ‘paperless’ office mindset. We share electronic collateral where possible.; ; We take environmental criteria into account in the procurement of goods and services, e.g. recycled pencils for giveaways or phones from Fairphone. ; Our cloud services are hosted on AWS, an energy and water-efficient platform that’ll be 100% renewable energy powered by 2025.; ; In 2022, we’ll undergo EcoVadis assessment to drive further improvements.; ; We are evaluating how we can drive more environmental awareness across our supply chain. Sub-contractors are already asked to comply with our E&SP.; ; To influence environmental protection and improvement, we respond to clients’ requests for products/services which help improve the environment, such as a mobile GIS that will enable councils to monitor the health of trees. iShare, our popular web mapping solution, is used by councils to promote the use of green spaces and recycling centres.; ; We publicise environmentally-friendly initiatives. For example, we publicise how we helped The Ramblers gather the information needed to protect paths for future generations. We also post about our own commitments.
• Covid-19 recovery:

  Covid-19 recovery

  We follow specialist recruitment and employment guidance. We create permanent jobs in preference to contracting. We’ve employed and mentored graduates through their early careers. Many activities, such as structured 1:2:1s, align with the Good Work Plan. We’ll give particular consideration to requests for work/student placements or internships made by those affected by COVID-19. We’ve committed to the EcoVadis assessment. ; ; We allow employees to request changes to employment contracts and flex their hours. Everyone is eligible for bonuses, pension and pay above our Living Wage commitment plus training and progression opportunities based on skills matrices and structured 1:2:1s. We encourage mentoring and internal recruitment. Employee salaries are paid by Astun Technology, not a subsidiary. ; ; We improve workplace conditions by following best practice and encouraging employees’ ideas, e.g. via surveys. ; ; Our activities reduce the demand for health and public services. Examples included in other themes include: measures to reduce employee loneliness, mentoring, reviews, transparency, encouraging volunteering and ensuring employees recognise the part they play in our success.; ; We support the GIS community, e.g. through sponsorship.; ; We’ve introduced GP/counselling support services, plus life assurance. We’re evaluating a Mental Health First Aider training scheme. ; ; Many activities are embedded in policies, such as Equal Opportunities and Recruitment/Promotion.; ; We involve local stakeholders and users in the design of services. We ensure services are intuitive for a diverse user range and can be used remotely. We’re willing to adapt service delivery to meet user needs following community consultant and engagement.; ; We help clients communicate their activities and GIS-enabled service improvements to stakeholders, e.g. via case studies and presentations. ; ; We provide training videos and comprehensive user guides for clients’ employees and their user communities.
• Tackling economic inequality:

  Tackling economic inequality

  Despite our limited supply chain, we’re open to using new businesses and SMEs as suppliers (subject to risk evaluation). Staff and clients can make recommendations. We pay suppliers fairly and promptly.; ; We pay above our Living Wage Commitment. The differential between our lowest and highest-paid employee is 1-5x. All employees are eligible for bonuses, pension and cost of living rises. We benchmark salaries.; ; We share performance information at monthly meetings. Employee feedback is gathered during an annual survey and 1:2:1s.; ; We base training and development opportunities upon skills matrices, progression plans, 1:2:1s and requests. We encourage in-house mentoring and volunteering for GIS-related charities or groups, including MapAction for whom we have provided free training.; ; Employees have the autonomy to manage their own workload and work flexibly. ; ; We improve delivery, productivity and quality by researching, evaluating and adopting new technologies. We expect our suppliers to do the same. ; ; We take a solution-led approach, co-designing services with users, suppliers and other stakeholders. Client input is gathered at regular meetings. Feedback from internal QA processes, user acceptance testing and customer surveying drives service design and innovation. ; ; We review projects and share lessons learned. ; ; We share our learnings with the wider GIS and client community, e.g. by giving talks. We seek learning opportunities from our business and GIS communities, e.g. from the ODI and the AGI. ; ; We share innovative functionality to benefit others. ; ; We have an Information Security (IS) policy and Cyber Essentials/Plus certification. We have signed up for the Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership and the South East Cyber Resilience Centre. Backups are held in disparate locations. We advise clients about cyber issues and close off vulnerabilities. We’re evaluating cyber training and ways to audit our supply chain. We promote our IS measures.
• Equal opportunity:

  Equal opportunity

  As an SME, we use external HR consultants to ensure compliance. We are members of the Equality Register and have made the Mental Health at Work Commitment. We have Equal Opportunities, Diversity and Recruitment/Promotion policies. We will be EcoVadis assessed this year. ; ; Our recruitment practices are inclusive and accessible, including initial redacted CV scoring. We are open to making further changes to allow the disabled a more level playing field. We encourage employees to apply for internal vacancies. ; ; We are open to using Occupational Health and Access to Work to support employees. ; ; Flexible working and learning/development opportunities encourage all employees to grow. Sub-contractors can work flexibly, if appropriate. ; ; We pay competitive salaries that exceed our Living Wage Commitment plus bonuses.; ; One of our team chairs the AGI task force on Diversity & Inclusion during work time. ; ; We encourage progression by holding regular, structured reviews based on a collaborative document. We use skills audits and matrices used to identify skill gaps. ; ; Staff use a task management platform to allocate SMART tasks and monitor their own performance.; ; We have a company-wide budget for training and development. Training needs are identified during the review process. Staff can request training and books on demand. There is a shared library.; ; We encourage mentoring at all levels. Junior staff enjoy mentoring for a significant proportion of their work.; ; Employees are encouraged to take part in out of work learning events. For example, we pay international travel costs so employees can attend FOSS4G events.; ; Employee achievements are recognised internally and externally, e.g. via newsletter. ; ; We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery. We have a Modern Slavery policy. It includes a whistleblowing procedure and a commitment to fair pay. New employees are subject to reference and identity checks.
• Wellbeing:

  Wellbeing

  We have a Social Value policy.; ; We reduce loneliness/disconnect via virtual chats, coffee meetings, ‘pub’ and company-wide meetings plus regular in-person meetings/socials. ; ; We fund ‘co-working’ spaces for staff who prefer to work outside the home. Employees can work from anywhere with no change to pay. ; ; We offer flexible working which allows employees to exercise and attend classes/appointments during the day. They can use technology to silence work messages outside working hours. We believe in ‘family first’ in case of family ill-health and emergencies.; ; We have an ‘open door’ policy for confidential 1:2:1s about health and wellbeing as well as regular structured reviews.; ; Employees can access an employee support programme that provides 24/7 GP consultations, fitness advice, health checks and counselling. ; ; To help drive further improvement, we conduct an annual staff engagement, wellbeing and working conditions survey. This evaluates the success of current activities and encourages staff to help identify further support measures. We have recently made the Mental Health at Work commitment and will improve our reporting measures as a result. EcoVadis assessment will also help drive further initiatives. ; ; In terms of influencing support for health and wellbeing, we talk openly on digital platforms, including newsletters, websites and social media, about our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of our workforce. This helps to encourage employees, suppliers, customers and the wider GIS community to take similar measures. ; ; We recognise that we have limited ability to influence support for health and wellbeing within our largest suppliers. For example, AWS already offer an employee support programme and a Working Well initiative. However, we plan to evaluate how we can further encourage and measure health and wellbeing measures amongst suppliers as part of our EcoVadis commitment.

Pricing

• Price: £25,000 to £50,000 a unit a year
• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: No

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

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