Microlink PC (UK) Ltd

PixselChat

PixselChat software offers real time translated conversational communication in over 50 different languages and allows users to communicate with each other without needing to know the other users’ language. PixselChat removes language as a barrier to communication.

Features

• PixselChat is multi user
• PixselChat is encrypted so communication is confidential
• Communication is real time and therefore dynamic and conversational
• PixselChat works on Android, iOS and web
• Communication can be by voice, text or synthesised voice
• Video and text transcription is available

Benefits

• Communicate without needing to know the other users’ language(s)
• Reduce the need for translators
• Increase working efficiency

£38 a user a year

Service documents

• Pricing document

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

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

960812361801466

Contact

Hazel Knights
02380240300
sam@microlinkpc.com

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: The capability of PixselChat can be interfaced with other platforms and other services via an API. For example, PixselChat can be interfaced with Teams or Zoom.
• Cloud deployment model:
  • Public cloud
  • Private cloud
  • Hybrid cloud
• Service constraints: No. Support and maintenance arrangements for PixselChat will be tailored to a buyer’s specific requirements.
• System requirements:
  • PixselChat can be provided as a SaaS or Embedded
  • PixselChat Embedded does not require an internet connection
  • PixselChat SaaS requires an internet connection

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support response times: Within 24 hours of receipt on a UK working 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: Yes, at an extra cost
• 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: PixselChat web chat is accessibility compliant WCAG2.2. ; The platform has been tested with popular AT tools such as screen readers.
• Web chat accessibility testing: JAWS/NVDA
• Onsite support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support levels: Support is provided by phone, email or webchat during UK working hours (between 9 and 5).; These support levels are included in PixselChat pricing.; On premises support can be provided for an extra cost at a price to be negotiated depending on the buyer’s service requirements.; PixselChat will provide buyers with a dedicated account manager.
• Support available to third parties: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: PixselChat can provide online training / video-based training. PixselChat is also able, depending on customer requirements to provide one-off onsite training at an additional agreed cost.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: PixselChat will only store user data to the extent required by law/regulation for the efficient running of the service.; PixselChat will not store user content data unless PixselChat is legally required to do so communications (historic or present) between users of PixselChat will not be stored.
• End-of-contract process: At the end of the contract, users can delete their account or ask for the account to remain dormant.; ; The licence fee includes the support levels described above and training materials.; ; Enhanced support levels and enhanced training (such as onsite training will be provided at an additional agreed cost.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Opera
• Application to install: Yes
• Compatible operating systems:
  • Android
  • IOS
  • Linux or Unix
  • MacOS
  • Windows
  • Windows Phone
  • Other
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: The functionality of the mobile and desktop service is the same and users of the mobile and desktop services can communicate with each other so that a mobile user can communicate with a desktop user and vice versa.; ; However, the user interface is different between the mobile service and the desktop service.
• 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 provides a direct input/output solution. Users cannot make changes or edits to the API. The API will be provided as a self-executing code which users can download and run on their devices.
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• API sandbox or test environment: No
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: The component based nature of PixselChat technology means that PixselChat can offer bespoke custom solutions to buyers. Customisation will be done by PixselChat based on buyer requirements.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: For a Saas service, PixselChat technology automatically scales up the quality of service. The quality of the internet connection is the responsibility of the buyer.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: No

Resellers

• Supplier type: Reseller (no extras)
• Organisation whose services are being resold: Pixelar Limited

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Staff screening not performed
• Government security clearance: Up to Security Clearance (SC)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations:
  • United Kingdom
  • 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: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
• Protecting data at rest: Encryption of all physical media
• Data sanitisation process: No
• Equipment disposal approach: In-house destruction process

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: PixselChat will only store user data to the extent required by law/regulation for the efficient running of the service.; PixselChat will not store user content data unless PixselChat is legally required to do so communications (historic or present) between users of PixselChat will not be stored.
• Data export formats: Other
• Data import formats: Other

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks:
  • Private network or public sector network
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Legacy SSL and TLS (under version 1.2)
• Data protection within supplier network:
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Legacy SSL and TLS (under version 1.2)

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: Not applicable.
• Approach to resilience: Available on request.
• Outage reporting: Active reporting of severe outages will be made by email to customers.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication:
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Username or password
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: PixselChat is a communication application. Restricting access to management interfaces is an issue for the buyer and the buyer’s own processes.
• Access restriction testing frequency: Never
• Management access authentication:
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Username or password

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: No
• Cyber essentials plus: No
• Other security certifications: No

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: No
• Security governance approach: PixselChat uses best practice protocols and processes, drawing on the extensive experience of the PixselChat team.
• Information security policies and processes: PixselChat uses best practice protocols and processes, drawing on the extensive experience of the PixselChat team.; ; Each customer Account Manager reports to the Chief Account Manager. The Chief Account Manager reports to the CEO.; ; While we prioritize simplicity, we also remain adaptable, regularly reviewing and updating our practices to align with industry standards and emerging threats.

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: Undisclosed
• Vulnerability management type: Undisclosed
• Vulnerability management approach: Undisclosed
• Protective monitoring type: Undisclosed
• Protective monitoring approach: Undisclosed
• Incident management type: Undisclosed
• Incident management approach: There are no predefined processes. The PixselChat team has sufficient experience and knowledge to respond quickly and flexibly to common events.; Users report incidents to a dedicated email address.; Incident reports are provided on request.

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

• Social Value:

  Social Value

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

  Fighting climate change

  Microlink has a published Carbon Reduction Plan, available on our website, and updated annually. We are committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050 and our SBTi verified Near-Term target of a 42% reduction by 2030. Approximately 80% of our employees work remote which reduces our emissions from commuting. It has also allowed us to “shut down” the upper floor of Microlink House, greatly reducing our Scope 1 and 2 Emissions from gas and electric usage. We are working with our supply chain to reduce downstream emissions through providing information and tools to help our supply chain calculate and reduce emissions. As most of our suppliers are SMEs, they are just beginning their carbon reduction journey, but Microlink are making a concerted effort to help them on their “path to green”. We encourage our supply chain to make their products and packaging as sustainable as possible, through recycling or reusing of products. To monitor downstream emissions, we audit our suppliers and sub-contractors annually on a variety of environmental and emissions-related factors. The Microlink warehouse have a cardboard shredder allowing them to recycle cardboard waste into recyclable packaging for our products. Through our Clear Desk Policy, we have drastically reduced our paper waste across the company. As of 2023, none of the waste produced by Microlink was sent to landfill; waste that was not recycled was turned into energy through the Veolia “Waste to Energy” Scheme. We have partnered with the DPD EV delivery fleet which has helped us reduce our downstream transportation and distribution emissions and reduce the amount of air pollution created. As of 2023, all DPD deliveries for Microlink were completed through their EV fleet. We are researching the installation of gas pumps and a solar panel array and battery to further reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

  Covid-19 recovery

  Microlink’s products and services have enabled a quarter of a million people to alleviate their health conditions and disabilities, across both the education and employment sectors. This has never been more relevant than now in the post-COVID environment. Covid showed how it was possible with modern technology to provide disability support services remotely either in the office or at home. This has enabled Microlink to grow its business in the UK and expand its services abroad with benefit to the UK economy. In addition our work in education and accessible recruitment is enabling more disabled students to transition into work successfully.

  Tackling economic inequality

  Microlink are an equal opportunities employer with a strict policy applied to employees; our processes are conducted on merit and suitability. Recruitment procedures and employment conditions are aligned to the Good Work Plan and our Equality and Diversity policy and regularly reviewed to ensure they remain non-discriminatory. Over 45% of Microlink’s current workforce are self-declared as being disabled. These staff members are at the forefront of our management team, our client-facing activities and our market leading research and development team. Microlink is a Disability Confident employer and look to assist other businesses to become Disability Confident. We have won a range of awards related to this, including the National Diversity Award 2015 and have been recognised as a Disability Champion by the Business Disability Forum. As a business we value education greatly –three members of our Senior Management Team act as school governors in their local area. We strongly believe that the delivery of quality services is reliant on providing workplace opportunities to graduates to train into the levels of experience that our UK business requires. Therefore, it is important to us to give back and help younger people gain valuable experience. within a technical and consultative environment such as ours. We are always open to accommodating graduates and provide work experience to local students. We work with Schools and Colleges to train teachers and employers with the skills necessary to encourage young people with disabilities to achieve their full potential at work and in life. We routinely maintain an innovation and research programme targeted at ensuring that the company’s knowledge and expertise is completely up to date and researching technology-based methods for enhancing our service. This entire programme encompasses evaluation, testing, trial and marketing of new innovative assistive technologies as they become market-ready.

  Equal opportunity

  Our vision is to create an inclusive society which embraces diversity and releases the potential to advance humanity. We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all groups of society. We regularly review remuneration surveys to ensure that pay is fair and relevant to location. We adhere to policies such as Employment Standards, Ethics, Equality & Diversity, Recruitment & Retention, Reasonable Adjustment and the Equality Act 2010. Candidate CV’s received for any role are anonymised. The recruiter will review the qualifications and experience required to fulfil a role to remove unconscious bias. When inviting a candidate for interview, we are clear about its format, time, length, how many people will be on the panel and their roles. We typically do not publish the interview questions in advance but will forward to candidates if requested. We use language that can be understood by all. We ask if we can make an adjustment for the interview itself and to share information about a disability, health condition or communication difference e.g additional time to respond to questions, BSL support or closed captioning (subtitles) if there is a hearing challenge for example. DSE for all new employees and Access to Work applications are made within the first six weeks of employment. We supply the right tools to enable the individual to carry out their duties. Career progression is available via on the job learning or gaining further qualifications. Mentoring and coaching is available. We accept students for work experience and have and will use apprenticeship initiatives. We give our employees every opportunity to succeed as they are the future of the company. We value every contribution that our employees make. Employees succeed due to their individual performance efforts. Individuals undergo a monthly 1-1 to discuss their performance and identify any skill gaps.

  Wellbeing

  The pandemic taught us everyone that loneliness and social isolation has a devastating impact on our health and wellbeing. Microlink is The employer is an extension of an employee’s family, not just an employer. We listen and help in whatever way we you can. We strive for contentment and have a transparent relationship with employees. We are signed up to Mindful Employer and implement the 6 standards in the Mental Health at Work commitment including promoting an open culture around mental health, a systematic programme of activity and providing mental health tools. We use scientifically designed impact studies to build employee engagement and foster wellbeing in Microlink. We encourage open discussions about what the problems may be via 1-1’s with line managers, HR and Mental Health Champions. We embrace wellbeing initiatives and we regularly train our line managers in how to begin conversations. For employees who need specialist 1-1 counselling, we signpost them to the Company Counsellor for confidential help and guidance. We have a clear communication practice in place to advise staff. we do this weekly and our messages are recorded akin to daily news bulletins on the TV which are then subsequently circulated in an accessible video. We take part in group activities. Bake off days and other events, for example. We volunteer to help local communities such as local colleges and schools by giving our time to undertake mock interviews or opening up our workplace for specific work experience. We are open to volunteering ventures to make the lives better for our local communities and have, in the past painted and gardened. We have raised money and donated to local charities. We practice what we preach and provide mental health support and guidance to clients through our services.

Pricing

• Price: £38 a user a year
• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: No

Service documents

• Pricing document

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