Windows 7 is here, and we're ready, we have been using Windows 7 and internet explorer 8, in our business and in our development team for a few weeks with no issues and significant improvements in many areas.
We are please to announce the HB online web application is now available on Windows Server 2008 based on SQL Server 2008 accessed through Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7 devices.
Civica OPENrevenues partnership with IEG4, to distribute the Housing Benefits Online Form, has proven hugely successful – most recently both Great Yarmouth Borough Council has committed to taking the application – which means that the total number of joint IEG4/Civica customers now reaches well into double figures.
A New World of Work
Microsoft's white paper called The New World of Work, which discusses the Evolution of the UK Workforce, where the 'Digital Native' generation play more important roles in our businesses, is available for download from here.
SharePoint
Microsoft's SharePoint Server. More details on Share point are available here.
IEG4 Limited’s Housing Benefits on-line form application has been developed in conjunction with local authorities and is based on the DWP’s HB/CTB1 paper document. The application is truly tried and tested, having been on-line on LB Lewisham’s website since November 2006. The application can be used both internally and externally, and integrates with all of the major back-office Benefits systems, directly populating fields. So, in addition to offering a low-cost, self-service, website channel, as recommended in the Varney report, it can also provide huge efficiencies with ‘assisted service’ or third party claims (such as via RSLs or the DWP, where the requirement to complete the paper form and then re-enter the information is removed. Try the form for yourself here.
IEG4 also offers complementary forms for Change of Address and Back to Work and others . Available to try online here and here (Trafford versions) .
All of IEG4’s forms may be used ‘in the field’ with either UMPC (ultra-mobile PC) or ‘tablet’ PCs. Further forms may be easily developed using the IEG4 eFormStudio tools.
Local authorities can expect the following benefits from using an online HB form:
- Demonstrates Local Authority Commitment To Transformational Government
- Claim & Change of Circumstance Process Simplified
- Reduces Errors In Submissions Leading To Quicker Turnaround
- Assists Disadvantaged Claimants
- Integration With Back Office Reduces Re-keying, Increasing Productivity
- HB Is Brought In Line With Customer Access Across The Economy
- ... Business Case Is Often Compelling
Integration with the back office provides further efficiency savings as does its use by third party agencies such as Registered State Landlords (RSLs) who can now quickly and easily assist their tenants to claim. “Our advisors have said that they would never go back to paper forms again. They like the way the form highlights any errors and guides them through it, asking only questions that are relevant to the customer’s circumstances.” said Peter Mather, Trafford’s Head of Revenues & Benefits..
Stockport MBC has also gone live with IEG4 Limited’s Online Housing and Council Tax Benefits form, which will speed up processing times and bring efficiency gains to the Council. Front line Council Staff at the Stockport Direct Centre, Stockport Direct Local Centres, Stockport Homes, the homelessness teams, as well as staff from Registered Social Landlords will all receive training so they can assist customers to complete the form (assisted service).
Customers can also complete the form themselves (self-service). The form is imported directly into the Councils EDRMS system, with a planned second phase which provides for information captured by the form to be imported into the IBS Benefits System, removing the need for keying-in of claim data.
The following councils have also selected IEG4 Limited’s HB Online form during the last 12 months: South Norfolk, Wakefield, Newark & Sherwood, Gedling, North Devon, Merton, Taunton Deane, Sedgemoor, West Somerset, Wakefield, Thanet and Dover.
