Methods Business and Digital Technology Limited

Salesforce Licence

As a Salesforce Reseller, and Consulting partner, the Methods Salesforce Licencing Service provides you the ability to purchase services and licences under one agreement across the full Salesforce products suite including Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Experience Cloud, Health Cloud, Public Sector Solutions, Data Cloud and Net Zero Cloud.

Features

• Multi-channel contact centre serving citizens in their channel of choice
• Powerful analytics capabilities allowing for real-time BI and MI reporting
• No-code & Low-code declarative configuration, Open API integration
• Agile custom development for more bespoke requirements
• Open, API first allowing for easy integration (SOAP and REST)
• Web chat, Bot, Social and Mobile out of the box
• Complex case-flow, Citizen centric view, Chatbots, Engagement Timeline.
• Extensive knowledge base, proactively suggesting articles internally and externally
• Social Collaboration, omni-channel engagement, Mobile ready, Knowledge base, Analytics, AI
• Complete case management solution for your entire organisation with AI

Benefits

• Ability to agree licencing and delivery under one contract
• Seamless licence negotiation and renewal management
• Licencing compliance issues prevented with proactive monitoring
• Optimised costs by reducing unnecessary user licencing allocation
• Reduce costs by increasing first call resolution
• Increase customer satisfaction serve citizens in their preferred channel
• Deliver user focused solutions rapidly, via agile methodologies
• 360 degree view of the citizen via any channel
• Integrate with back office using free APIs
• Extend processes to digitise middle office

£5,000 a licence

• Education pricing available
• Free trial available

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 bidteam@methods.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

867086700094356

Contact

Bid Team
020 7240 1121
bidteam@methods.co.uk

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: Yes, but can also be used as a standalone service
• What software services is the service an extension to: Salesforce services are modular and pre-integrated with Einstein AI built-in. Functionality can be expanded as needed. Customers extend by adding Einstein Analytics to: Service Cloud for case management, Sales Cloud for CRM and 360degree view, and Marketing Cloud for engagements and customer journeys.
• Cloud deployment model: Public cloud
• Service constraints: No
• System requirements:
  • Connectivity to the Internet
  • A standard browser, either desktop or mobile
  • Salesforce mobile app is available and mobile ready
  • Appropriate bandwidth
  • https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=000004958&type=1

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support response times: Within 1 business day
• 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: Yes, at extra cost
• Support levels: For Salesforce licence sales and implementation support operates from 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday via email and telephone with 24x7 options. All at additional cost; ; Salesforce provides extended Customer Support for additional cost.
• Support available to third parties: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: Our team of certified Salesforce professionals, have the skills to advise on your Salesforce system design and licencing requirements quickly and effectively.; ; Salesforce provides an immersive self-learning environment available called “Trailhead” for anyone who would like to have an engaging and interactive way of learning about salesforce. It is an online and free to use learning environment available here: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
  • Other
• Other documentation formats: Salesforce also provides free online courses, referred to as 'Trails'
• End-of-contract data extraction: The administrator for a given Salesforce environment can export (subject to appropriate permissions being set) data to a series of files securely using the weekly export function. Further information can be found at this link https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=admin_exportdata.htm&type=5; ; As the function suggests this data export can be performed weekly (dependant on the version procured) for backup purposes if required.
• End-of-contract process: After termination of all subscriptions associated with an environment, Customer Data submitted to the Covered Services is retained in inactive status within the Covered Services for 120 days, after which it is securely overwritten or deleted from production within 90 days, and from backups within 180 days.; ; Physical media on which Customer Data is stored during the contract term is not removed from the data centres that Salesforce uses to host Customer Data unless the media is at the end of its useful life or being deprovisioned, in which case the media is first sanitised before removal. ; ; This process is subject to applicable legal requirements.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
• Application to install: No
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: N/A
• Service interface: Yes
• User support accessibility: WCAG 2.1 AA or EN 301 549
• Description of service interface: The user interface (UI) is the main way to interact with the applications and information in a Salesforce instance.
• Accessibility standards: WCAG 2.1 AA or EN 301 549
• Accessibility testing: Salesforce is committed to providing applications accessible to all. This includes users working with assistive technology, such as speech recognition software and screen readers. Salesforce follows international best practices in Section 508 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA to the extent possible.; ; A third party has assessed and documented the accessibility status of Salesforce core products in the VPAT documents published here: https://www.salesforce.com/company/legal/508_accessibility.jsp; ; In addition, Salesforce includes an alternate user interface mode that lets users with assistive devices, such as speech recognition software and screen readers, work with Salesforce more effectively with detail here https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=accessibility_mode_enabled.htm&type=0"" provides information about their testing, see: https://docs.Salesforce.com/bundle/accessibility/page/administer/accessibility-508-compliance/concept/available-accessibility-conformance-reports.html
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: Salesforce provides several simple, powerful, and secure APIs.; ; SOAP API to create, retrieve, update, or delete records, perform searches, etc. in real time in any language that supports web services.; ; REST API REST-based web services interface for use with mobile applications and web projects.; ; Chatter REST API similar to feed APIs offered by Facebook/ Twitter.; ; WAVE REST API access Wave Analytics assets, such as datasets, lenses and dashboards.; ; Bulk API based on REST principles optimised for loading or deleting large sets of data. Use it to handle many records asynchronously in batches.; ; Metadata API to retrieve, deploy, create, update, or delete customizations for your Salesforce instance. Migrate changes from testing to production. Intended for managing customizations and for building tools that can manage the metadata model, not the data itself.; ; Streaming API for notifications to be pushed from the server to the client, typically for applications that poll frequently.; ; Apex REST API & APEX SOAP API to expose Apex classes and methods so that external applications can access your code through REST or SOAP architecture, respectively. Both support OAuth 2.0 and Session ID for authorization.; ; Tooling API to integrate Salesforce metadata with other systems. REST and SOAP both supported.
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• API sandbox or test environment: Yes
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: The whole platform can be configured to client needs.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: The current daily transaction average for the Salesforce platform is regularly 6 billion, consistently at sub 250ms response time within the Salesforce environment. Within each logical system, we use load balancers to distribute load among multiple web and application servers for additional scalability and redundancy. The multitenant application design, combined with the fastest servers and high-performance networking infrastructure available, guarantees fast performance and scaling.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: The service includes various metrics to monitor usage and adoption of the service, for example, last login, login duration etc.; For Infrastructure detail metrics are available at https://trust.salesforce.com website provides performance and availability information for the entire service.; ; For specific metric monitoring and for more in-depth detail customers can extend capability through the use of Event Monitoring. For example - which applications are being used, by whom, how are they being used, when, where from and are there performance issues? This data can be used to improve adoption, security and performance of the application.
• Reporting types:
  • API access
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Regular reports

Resellers

• Supplier type: Reseller providing extra support
• Organisation whose services are being resold: Salesforce

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Up to Developed Vetting (DV)

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: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 3.0)
• Penetration testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
• Protecting data at rest:
  • Physical access control, complying with CSA CCM v3.0
  • Scale, obfuscating techniques, or data storage sharding
  • Other
• Other data at rest protection approach: Classic Encryption: native Salesforce application feature which can be used to encrypt specific custom fields. There is no additional cost for this, but it does impact some application functionality. More information here: http://sfdc.co/FieldEncryption Platform Encryption:; ; Platform Encryption allows customers to encrypt data stored through Salesforce such as: files and attachments, certain standard and custom fields, and use an advanced key management system. It uses native strong, standards-based encryption. Controls help to protect data, which include the use of derived data encryption keys and customer-controlled key rotation, generation, and destruction process. Available for an additional cost.
• 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: Salesforce Data Loader, Excel, CSV or XML
• Data export formats: Other
• Other data export formats:
  • XLS
  • PDF
  • Out of The Box import via the open standard API
  • API export in open standards such as XML and OData
  • API also support bulk export and upload
  • Pre-integrated ETL tools such as MuleSoft etc.
• Data import formats: Other
• Other data import formats:
  • XLS
  • PDF
  • Out of The Box import via the open standard API
  • API export in open standards such as XML and OData
  • API also support bulk export and upload
  • Pre-integrated ETL tools such as MuleSoft etc.

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • Other
• Other protection between networks: By default, customers connect to the service over the public Internet with all transmissions between the user and the Salesforce Services secured using TLS 1.1 or higher and encrypted using 256 or 128-bit encryption. The Services use International/Global Step Up SSL certificates with 2048-bit Public Keys. Web Service callouts can be secured using TLS, as well as with two-way TLS.; ; In addition, customers can partner with a selection of supported ISPs for a more direct connection to the Salesforce service. In the UK, BT are one such ISP. This service is known as Salesforce Express Connect.
• Data protection within supplier network:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • Other
• Other protection within supplier network: Customer data is protected within the Salesforce service through a mature, standards-based defence in depth security architecture. Logical and physical access is strictly controlled and monitored and the controls used are in scope for the various security certifications the company has, and audited regularly by third parties. Controls such as firewalls, intrusion detection, anti-malware, file integrity monitoring are augmented with extensive monitoring to provide a robust prevention, detection and response model. Internal and external, as well as third-party vulnerability scanning and application penetration testing are also in place.

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: The Salesforce Services are designed with the concept of continuous improvement and Trust (e.g. Availability, Performance and Security) in the infrastructure. Salesforce uses commercially reasonable efforts to make its on-demand services available to its customers 24/7, except for (minimal) planned downtime, for which Salesforce gives customers prior notice, and force majeure events.; Excellent availability statistics (historically 99.9%) are critical to Salesforce's customers’ success and to the success of Salesforce as a company. Salesforce generally does not focus on a specific percentage, as we do not believe our job on availability will ever be “complete”. Live and historical statistics on Salesforce system performance are publicly published at: https://trust.salesforce.com/en/#systemStatus, and further detail can be shared upon request and NDA.
• Approach to resilience: The Salesforce Services are designed with the concept of continuous improvement and Trust (e.g. Availability, Performance and Security) in the infrastructure. Salesforce uses commercially reasonable efforts to make its on-demand services available to its customers 24/7, except for (minimal) planned downtime, for which Salesforce gives customers prior notice, and force majeure events.; Excellent availability statistics (historically 99.9%) are critical to Salesforce's customers’ success and to the success of Salesforce as a company. Salesforce generally does not focus on a specific percentage, as we do not believe our job on availability will ever be “complete”. Live and historical statistics on Salesforce system performance are publicly published at: https://trust.salesforce.com/en/#systemStatus, and further detail can be shared upon request and NDA.
• Outage reporting: Outages are publicised on a public portal and via email alerts. Escalation policies are established and maintained as Salesforce's goal is to rapidly restore service. In the event of an extended outage, periodic updates are provided in near real time to customers via the trust.salesforce.com dashboard site and in addition, service notifications are provided to nominated contacts via various channels such as email. Update frequency for notifications is dependent on the customer support service plan.

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)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password
  • Other
• Other user authentication: SAML 2.0 based SSO, LDAPS
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Management access for service support and delivery is done through multiple layers of controls including, but not limited to, multiple 2 factor authentication, bastion host and proxy control and segregation of duties. These controls are in scope for SSAE-18 auditing and evidences through the SOC 2/ISAE3402 report.; ; Access to the management interface for the customer to configure their salesforce environment, is configured by the customer themselves. The options are outlined in the above response. Robust application design and testing ensures that users without administrative access rights cannot access more sensitive areas of the application.
• 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)
  • 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: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: Schellman & Company, LLC (Formerly BrightLine)
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: Most recent accreditation - 02/04/2024
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: The only ISO27001 control not included in our Statement of Applicability is A.14.2.7 - Outsourced Development. This is not covered as Salesforce does not perform outsourced system development.
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: Yes
• CSA STAR accreditation date: 28/03/2018
• CSA STAR certification level: Level 1: CSA STAR Self-Assessment
• What the CSA STAR doesn’t cover: The available CSA STAR self-assessment covers all points in the latest CCM; version 3.01.
• PCI certification: Yes
• Who accredited the PCI DSS certification: Online Enterprises Inc
• PCI DSS accreditation date: 15/07/2018
• What the PCI DSS doesn’t cover: This service is PCI DSS compliant. All controls for PCI DSS are in scope for this service, there is nothing not covered.
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber essentials plus: Yes
• Other security certifications: Yes
• Any other security certifications:
  • NCSC Cloud Principle Response
  • SOC 1, 2, 3 Reports
  • Binding Corporate Rules
  • Privacy shield
  • ISO: 27018
  • TUV
  • PCI DSS
  • Various Geographic credentials available at https://scdp.salesforce.com/

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: ISO/IEC 27018; SSAE-18/ISAE3402; PCI-DSS; UK Cyber Essentials PLUS; CD-CAT
• Information security policies and processes: ISO/IEC 27001; ISO/IEC 27018; SSAE-18/ISAE3402; PCI-DSS; UK Cyber Essentials PLUS; CD-CAT; ; Salesforce's Information Security Management System (ISMS) and information security policies are based on the ISO 27002 framework of best practices and are ISO 27001 certified. As required by this certification, the ISMS is endorsed by Senior Management. The EVP of Security has responsibility for the information security policies and ISMS. The Trust Strategy Alignment (TSA) Committee approves/authorizes all changes to the policies, the Statement of Applicability (SoA), the information security manual, and any separate policy statements. During the ISO 27001 audit process (as well as other audits such as SOX and SSAE 16 SOC 1), Senior Management for various departments are involved in verifying that policies and procedures are in place and adhered to. Policies are reviewed/approved at least annually.

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: Salesforce has formal processes for placing a system into production. This procedure includes a build checklist, server hardening checklist and pre-production testing. Baseline configurations for servers, network devices, and databases are consistent with industry-accepted CIS (Centre for Internet Security) system hardening guidelines.; ; Change control procedures are required by the company’s Change Management Policy and include steps for testing, review, authorization, communication, verification, and back-out procedures. All changes to the infrastructure components are tested in a dedicated environment using production class equipment before being deployed into production. Changes are reviewed and approved by Technical Operations management prior to deployment to production.
• Vulnerability management type: Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
• Vulnerability management approach: Salesforce has various vulnerability management processes in place around internal scanning, external scanning & vendor patch release management. Technical operations and security personnel monitor vulnerability alerts and patch release notifications from vendors and other sources. There are associated evaluation and deployment processes in place. Salesforce also regularly performs self-vulnerability assessments using various tools and techniques, such as Qualys. In addition, Salesforce uses external service providers to perform an application vulnerability assessment after each major release (three times annually) and network vulnerability assessments quarterly. There is also an on-going external application scanning service used. further detail on responsible disclosure here https://trust.salesforce.com/en/security/responsible-disclosure-policy/
• Protective monitoring type: Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
• Protective monitoring approach: Salesforce's Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) uses a security event logging and management system to manage the alerts and logs generated by devices on our network and provide protective monitoring. The system consists of a central database, management server, and distributed agents. The distributed agents receive events from network devices and systems (firewalls, IDS, routers, switches, hosts, file integrity, and database monitoring) on the network, then compress, encrypt, and transmit the data to the management server and database for processing. Correlated events are configured to generate alerts and logs which are monitored on a 24/7 basis.
• 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: Salesforce has a formal Incident Management Process that guides the Salesforce Computer Security Incident Response team in investigation, management, communication, and resolution activities.; ; Salesforce will promptly notify the customer in the event of any security breach of the Service resulting in an actual or reasonably suspected unauthorised disclosure of Customer Data. Notification may include phone contact by Salesforce support, email to customer's administrator and Security Contact and public posting on trust.salesforce.com.; ; Salesforce.com is a member of the prestigious Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and complies with the FIRST framework and best practices for incident response.

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

• Social Value:

  Social Value

  • Fighting climate change
  • Covid-19 recovery
  • Tackling economic inequality
  • Equal opportunity
  • Wellbeing

  Fighting climate change

  Methods’ ISO14001 Environmental Management certification, Environmental Management System and policy, coupled with our Carbon Reduction Plan commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, is supported by initiatives/policies such as: ; •hybrid working model and provision of tools for staff to work from anywhere; creating a sustainable balance between working remotely, in offices and on client sites; •supporting green transport options; cycle to work scheme; •providing locally-based consultants, minimising travel; •reducing paper usage, managing/storing documents electronically and controlling the use of print ; •using only LED lights and insulation in our offices that has zero ozone depletion potential ; •eliminating corporate use of single-used plastics ; •investing in carbon removal until we are removing all our residual emissions by 2030; •using MS teams for company and client meetings; •Partnering with local businesses to engage local resources in contract delivery; •promote the benefits of engaging local people and local suppliers through our supply chain; ; We report on our emissions and climate impact through our Carbon Reduction Plan (updated annually), using tools such as the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII). We have adopted a carbon reduction target of decreasing carbon emissions over the next 5 years to 100.7 tCO2e by 2025 (a reduction of 45.8%). ; ; Two internal groups provide thought leadership on embedding environmental responsibility into everything we do; ; •Green team focuses on internal Methods’ environmental impacts; •Environmental Responsibility Community of Practice team focus on finding ways to help our clients to focus on theirs.; ; We have the following action plans in place and monitor progress as part of Environment Management System.; •Paper; promoting a paperless office culture; •Energy; reducing/minimising energy usage; •Water; reducing/minimising water usage; •Waste; eliminating single use plastics, promoting the use of goods with recycled content/reconditioned parts; •Procurement; promoting environmentally responsible practices throughout our supply chain.

  Covid-19 recovery

  We’ve honed approaches to virtual workshops and continue to use these as part of a mix of engagement options to support remote working, delivering the associated benefits to our clients; increasing efficiency/productivity/opportunities for engagement, widening the resource pool open to our clients, minimising the environmental impact of travel. ; ; We have been working with jobseekers that were negatively impacted by the pandemic (e.g. redundancy) since March 2021 to improve CVs, interview skills, LinkedIn profiles, presentation skills to support them in returning to work. ; ; Methods sponsors schools via Business Education Events: dynamic, Gatsby-focused, employer-student events. Providing videocall support on employability skills; interview simulations; giving/receiving constructive feedback; confidence/self-esteem.; ; As teams return to face-to-face working, we are engaging staff/clients to develop safe, sustainable working practices:; •focusing on return-to-work opportunities; Methods supports numerous programmes/initiatives; Salesforce’s Prince’s Trust-sponsored NextGen programme, Birmingham’s School of Code.; •continue up-skilling; promoting Local Community Fund grants for return-to-work schemes, education, ex-offender learning.; •working with clients reviewing/developing return-to-office plans/practices.; •supporting positive mental/physical health outcomes through:; -access to Employee Assistance Programme; provides 24/7 confidential support, access to webinars/newsletters and wellbeing resources and links to medical sites for health concerns; access to a trained counsellor; wellbeing programmes/videos, medical information (back pain, anxiety, stress, depression, CALM, Mind, ReThink), health checks, financial assessments.; -Covid-compliant social events to rebuild confidence/team ethos.; •health and safety risk assessments on all offices, resulting in:; -changes to office set-ups; social distancing, pre-booked workplaces, increased cleaning schedules, increased floor space.; -working arrangements; adjusting core hours, reducing peak-time travel.; ; We also continue to build on learning from our involvement in COVID-19 projects.

  Tackling economic inequality

  Education, training and qualifications are essential for tackling economic inequality. We:; •support Salesforce’s Prince’s Trust-sponsored NextGen programme and were involved at its inception, providing input for course structure/content focussed on the development of digital skills targeting excluded/disadvantaged groups/youth/women returning-to-work/Veterans/Refugees. Providing part-time government-funded digital degree courses; support/training to achieve ITIL/Salesforce industry-recognised qualifications; apprenticeships targeted in areas ranked highest in the Index of Multiple Deprivation. ; •partner with Birmingham’s School of Code, helping create opportunities for disadvantaged young people; SFIA Levels 1&2 DevOps (all backgrounds, ages, often re-training from other sectors).; •engage with people from disadvantaged areas, including people Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET), through outreach/social media. ; ; Our robust, diverse local ecosystem is strongly focused on improving local economies and providing access to knowledge/skills for local people/business; meaning less money and skills leave the local community/economy. 100% of contractors are either micro or SME businesses, along with Methods and our delivery partners. We:; •work in partnership with local businesses, purchasing of resources required to fulfil the contract locally, through SMEs with a registered local footprint.; •promote the benefits of engaging local people and suppliers through our supply chain, challenging negative preconceptions, removing barriers. ; •champion SMEs and micro-businesses, in partnership with the local Chambers/Local Enterprise Partnerships/VSCE infrastructures.; •will sign up to Social Enterprise UK’s Buy Social initiative.; •work with our supply chain to raise awareness, knowledge of modern slavery, fair working practices and encourage them to adopt best practice; we’ll include modern salary, fair payment terms and code of ethics in our supplier onboarding process, with regular progress, audit performance updates.

  Equal opportunity

  Methods has a core focus on ensuring Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DE&I) throughout our working practices:; •All colleagues complete DE&I training in respect of internal working practices/services. In 2020, 10 designers attended UAL short-course Designing for Inclusion to ensure our products/services are fully inclusive, attempting to address systemic inequalities.; •Use various recruitment techniques to attract diverse candidates; posting jobs with clear qualifications/skill needs; avoiding language which might dissuade candidates from minority backgrounds; using several CV-assessors to avoid bias.; •Offer skills development/job creation opportunities to attract candidates from diverse backgrounds; apprenticeship schemes, retraining/upskilling initiatives, internal qualifications attainment, employment coaching/mentoring.; •Offer flexible working to accommodate parental responsibilities, disabilities, religious/cultural requirements.; •We report on the gender composition of our workforce and pay is set by role, not gender.; •Our staff demographic: 33% BAME, 42% women, 2% low income, 5% disabled, 5% Ex-Armed Forces, 5% LGBTQ+; ; Our teams focus on EDI, have undergone specific training and ensure under-represented groups have a voice. We have an accessibility lead and champions.; ; Our accreditations include Social Value Mark Level 1, Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme (Silver), Disability Confident: Committed status, Investors in People and are signatories to the Race at Work Charter.; ; Methods is a member of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo). We have passed external quality checks to ensure we are in strict compliance with Members Code of Conduct, Trusted Partner Code of Conduct and APSCo Member Risk Assessment. ; ; We’ve zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking and employ systems in our business/supply chain to:; •Identify, assess and monitor potential risks of slavery and human trafficking; •Mitigate/resolve identified risk; •Protect whistle-blowers; Our dedicated Delivery Assurance and Support Team ensure all partners/sub-contractors sign up to and comply with our Anti-Slavery & Human Trafficking Policy. We exercise rights of audit to ensure we enforce the policy.

  Wellbeing

  We’re committed to our employees, ensuring fair working practices, financial wellbeing, training and development. We support positive mental/physical health outcomes. ; ; All staff have:; •regular manager check-in meetings to provide ongoing support, quick action is taken as required.; •access to extensive wellbeing tools/support on our intranet: Mental Wellbeing toolkit; Health Assured toolkit; Yoga, Pilates and Meditation classes. These have been invaluable for most if not all employees, especially during Lockdown.; •access to our Employee Assistance Programme, which provides: 24/7 confidential support, access to monthly webinars, weekly newsletters and wellbeing resources and links to medical sites for health concerns, access to a trained counsellor, four-week wellbeing programmes, wellbeing videos, medical information (including back pain, anxiety, stress, depression, wellbeing), health checks, financial assessments.; ; Methods promotes work-life balance, supporting staff with personal/family commitments and a flexible approach to when staff work their hours. Managers focus on staff achievements and progress rather than presenteeism and monitoring staff presence in the office. ; ; We support employees working full/part-time or compressed hours, in the office, virtually, or in a hybrid manner depending on individuals’ preferences and role based/client commitments. We believe it is important to offer a greater balance between work and personal/family commitments, and always consider requests for changes in working patterns where feasible. All staff are supplied with the tools and technology required to do their jobs outside of the office.; ; In addition to our extensive wellbeing tools and support, we further engage those self-declaring as disabled, to ensure we are providing applicable tools via our augmented Diversity, Equality and Inclusion programme. We endeavour to publicly report on staff health and wellbeing.; ; To improve community integration, Methods develops content/promotes industry/community engagement via 21 bimonthly Communities of Practice (CoPs). CoPs develop whitepapers, share ideas with clients, develop partnerships, engage vendors, host industry events and promote best practice.

Pricing

• Price: £5,000 a licence
• Discount for educational organisations: Yes
• Free trial available: Yes
• Description of free trial: Depends on the circumstances

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 bidteam@methods.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.