NDL

Media Centre

Moray becomes the 17th Scottish council to adopt Lagan ECM

January, 2010

Belfast, Northern Ireland -- Moray Council has become the 17th Scottish council to adopt Lagan’s Enterprise Case Management (ECM) and the first to also include the awi corporate mobile working solution supplied by Lagan's integration partner NDL.

If you would like a full copy of this press release please click here.

Trafford Housing Trust trusts Lagan to transform services - Lagan strengthens position in social housing market

October, 2009

Trafford Housing Trust, an independent housing trust, has announced that it is to adopt software supplier Lagan’s Enterprise Case Management solution to support its strategic transformation programme, using NDL’s universal integration platform to access core central applications.

If you would like a full copy of this press release please click here.

Oxford City Council implements joint Lagan/ndl solution

August, 2009

Oxford City Council and its 151,000 citizens have benefited from a new partnership between government software supplier Lagan and integration specialist NDL. Capitalising on the complementary solutions provided by these two organisations, the Council is now giving front-office customer-facing staff access from its Lagan Enterprise Case Management (ECM) system into back-office housing, workforce scheduling and repairs booking systems. The move is delivering a seamless process between front and back office, resulting in significant time savings, and better customer satisfaction.

If you would like a full copy of this press release please click here.

Weaver Vale wins award for mobile working

March, 2009

Weaver Vale Housing Trust has won the Technology Award at the Business After Hours Small Business Awards. This accolade recognises its pioneering use of mobile working within its housing repairs service. NDL’s integration and mobile technology is being used to enable its repairs team to access and update central applications while working out in the community.

If you would like a full copy of this press release please click here.

Integration improves services and drives savings

February, 2009

Integrating existing applications improves services as well as cutting costs, according to a survey NDL carried out at last month’s Civica Annual Conference. Integration also underpins successful mobile working, which most respondents feel is more likely to succeed if carried out on a corporate rather than a departmental basis. But there is still concern over the cost and complexity of integrating back-office systems.

If you would like a full copy of this survey please click here.

Mobile Working Survey 2008

October, 2008

Over the course of the last 5 years, ndl-metascybe has been conducting a detailed survey into the role of integrated information technology in the transformation of service delivery by Local Government throughout the UK. Three years ago, we questioned the use of field based mobile devices as part of that exercise. With the rapid growth of this technology and its application, the subject has now grown to a point where it is felt that it deserves its own detailed research and report rather than being published in our annual Local Government CRM and Integration Survey. (Also published in October 2008).

This Mobile working survey and report examines the adoption and use of mobile technologies by UK Local Government organisations in two areas. Personal Information Management (PIM); e-mail, calendar etc and Line Of Business (LOB) applications such as surveys, reporting and work force scheduling. It looks at the distribution of the technology, benefits and barriers of its use, which departments have and are adopting mobile working, as well as issues such as data network coverage and predicted market growth over the next three years.

If you would like a full copy of this survey please click here.

ndl-metascybe-METASCYBE TO ACQUIRE APPSWING

July, 2008

Wetherby, North Yorkshire, July 18th 2008 - ndl-metascybe, which specialises in providing integration and mobile working tools to the public sector, today announced it has agreed to acquire AppSwing Limited, a leading provider of mobile working solutions.

AppSwing specialises in delivering full service mobile and integration solutions to public sector organisations tailored to meet the exact requirements of the end customer.

Declan Grogan, Managing director of ndl-metascybe limited comments; "Integrating back office applications and enabling effective field working is now recognised as one of the best ways for public sector organisations to free up resources and to drive efficiency savings. Consequently we are seeing significantly increased demand for project and services work, rather than pure tool set sales. The acquisition of AppSwing brings the group a great set of resources and experience in this very area from a team experienced in both our integration approach and the challenges around delivering effective mobile solutions. Furthermore as they operate mainly in the same Local Government and Housing Association business areas as ndl-metascybe the AppSwing team understand the business issues facing our customers."

Neil Thompson remains as CEO of AppSwing Limited charged with developing and growing the group’s solution delivery programmes. "ndl-metascybe and AppSwing have always had similar goals: to provide clients with a real return on investment through the implementation of mobile working and integration solutions. Together, our unrivalled depth of knowledge and experience will enable us to deliver a comprehensive service for all our clients."

About AppSwing Limited
AppSwing works with public and private sector organisations to change the way they operate and deliver services. Clients include the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, Holleran, Huntleigh Healthcare and Mater Hospital. For more information, visit www.appswing.com

For further press information, contact:

Helen Mountford

'Taking I.T. with you just got easier'

February, 2008

With a library of license free application templates for local authorities and housing associations, awiMX provides off-the-peg mobile solutions to the public sector.

ndl-metascybe has today announced Version 2 of its mobile application platform awiMX. Designed specifically to deliver line of business applications to field workers, awiMX capitalises on the company’s proven integration abilities to extend the reach of office based applications. It allows users to work totally independently of any network connectivity, whilst ensuring that any data gathered is still fully integrated.

The MX solution consists of a management server with full device, user and application control, client support for PDAs, Smart Phones or tablet computers and a simple to use GUI based application tool-kit, allowing customers to extend their existing systems, develop hybrid solutions or create stand-alone applications as they wish.

Declan Grogan, MD, ndl-metascybe, says: “We have been delivering bespoke mobile applications for over five years and have gained a wealth of experience in that time. During the past 18 months, we have been working with a selection of lead customers from our Local Government User Group to craft a range of applications for their businesses and to refine the delivery platform ready for generic use. The launch of awiMX v.2 represents the culmination of that work.”

Mr Grogan continues, “In addition to releasing awiMX, we are also making our library of application templates available to MX customers to use without further charge. Customers can take these unchanged or modify them to match their particular needs, then simply deploy to their mobile user-base. We have already developed over a dozen templates with our existing customers, covering such areas as Building Control, expenses, bulky waste up-lift, inspections and Mobile Job Ticketing and there are more in the pipeline. This way, customers can reap the benefits of mobile working far more quickly than by developing their own bespoke applications. MX is licensed on a per-server basis and can, dependant on the application and mode in which it is employed, support up to 1000 devices per server. Mobile solutions no longer need multiple servers and devices from multiple vendors in every department. In the process support costs are reduced and licensing is predictable and cost effective.”

“Clearly, not all customers will want to be involved in the development or customisation or would simply like their first mobile applications delivered for them, so we will continue to offer a fully serviced solution. However, given the flexibility of our multi application, user and device approach, the range of free-to-licence application templates and the per server rather than per device licensing, we believe this is an unparalleled offering for those who want to adopt mobile technologies for their field workers.”

In concluding, Grogan stated, “For those that need full end-to-end linking, MX is designed to interwork seamlessly with our universal back-office integration offerings. The possibility for real efficiency savings and improved customer service then become endless.”

For more information on awiMX or our mobile application templates click here www.ndl.co.uk/MX or e-mail.

'One-stop-shop' for integration announced'

February, 2008

100 'off-the-peg' connectors will pave the way to better joined-up systems saving Local Authorities up to half a million pounds each in the process.

ndl-metascybe has today announced the latest offerings in its mission to provide cost-effective, simple and robust ways to interconnect Public Sector systems. With almost 100 connectors already available and a promise of more to follow, www.theconnectorshop.co.uk is set to become the 'one-stop-shop' for integration. Standard Connectors are now available for all the popular Environmental Services, Revenues and Benefits, Social Services and HR systems with versions for both generic, direct connection as well as through the popular Microsoft offerings of CRM, BizTalk and SharePoint. These connectors are offered as a 'full service solution' including implementation, tailoring and with full ongoing support so the Authority can get their integration projects up and running with the minimum of disruption to their day to day I.T. service delivery.

Declan Grogan, MD, ndl-metascybe, says: "Whilst our integration solutions and tool sets remain popular, being used by nearly 100 Councils and Housing Associations in the UK, we were getting an increasing number of enquiries for 'off-the-peg' connectors rather than Integration tools. It is obvious that many Authorities have neither the resources or time to develop integration from scratch and it is for this purpose that we have developed these new fully serviced connectors." "With Authorities being quoted up to £500K for connectors by back-office vendors, it was time to offer a viable alternative. Integration can be easy, quick and above all cost-effective, we know this because we have been connecting systems for over 25 years".

"We have built up a vast amount of experience in this field and a huge library of working code both on our own behalf and through the work we have done with our Local Authority User Group over the last 4 years. Authorities often believe they have different needs and challenges, but we are confident we have the Connectors to solve their integration issues." Grogan concluded.

For more information on the new connectors and to see the full published list, visit www.theconnectorshop.co.uk or e-mail integration@ndl.co.uk.

If you want more information about how it can work for you CLICK HERE.

ndl-metascybe to publish annual Integration and CRM report at the Socitm Annual Conference in Belfast.

August, 2007

ndl-metascybe is to use the Socitm Annual Conference (Belfast 14th to 16th October) to launch our fourth survey into Integration and CRM adoption within UK Local Authorities. In what promises to be our most far reaching investigation so far, we will not only bring our previous findings up to date, but also look into previously uncovered areas. To discover more about this years report and reserve your copy, click here.

At the conference, we will be on Stand 39, showing the latest additions to the popular awi product family and talking about how these innovative solutions have been deployed in a series of highly successful Local Authority projects.

So if you are attending the event be sure to call in to pick-up your complimentary copy of the report and to discuss any integration or mobile projects you have in the pipeline.

CareWorks partners with ndl-metascybe to provide a new cost effective integration capability for its RAISE CMS product range.

July, 2007

To support today's multi-agency working practices, ideally requires an integrated view of the information held in many disparate and incompatible IT systems. However, in many cases, due to cost or technology constrains, this integration is never achieved. Therefore, there is a need for a simple and cost effective solution that will overcome these traditional barriers to integration to facilitate true multi-agency information sharing.

Recognising this need, CareWorks has today announced a partnership with ndl-metascybe, a connectivity software and application integration specialist. CareWorks will be incorporating the ndl-metascybe Active Windows Integrator (awi) product in its RAISE multi-agency CMS product offering.

ndl-metascybe's awi will allow CareWorks customers to link and integrate their CareWorks RAISE social care information system with any other local social service or education client indexes regardless of vendor using a single universal adaptor.

ndl-metascybe has been supplying e-Business and e-Government solutions for over 20 years. Some 70% of UK Local Government organisations are currently using their solutions.

Michael Dolan comments: "Our relationship with ndl-metascybe's Active Windows Integrator extends the integration implementation options available to our customers. It means we will be able to provide a cost-effective alternative to customers where the cost of connectors from other suppliers makes integration difficult to cost justify".

Declan Grogan, Managing Director at ndl-metascybe added: "With so many disparate systems being used and the driving need to provide 'joined up' Government both inside a single Authority and across Partnerships, Active Windows Integrator provides a flexible alternative to standard and sometimes expensive integration methods. The relationship between ndl-metascybe and CareWorks is also very close from a technology perspective as CareWorks RAISE and our integration solutions have both been architected using Microsoft's .NET framework."

CareWorks and ndl-metascybe will run an Integration information day for customers on 18 September to highlight the scope and benefits of the awi integration solution. Further information will be available early August. Please visit our web site for regular updates.

For additional information, please visit:
ndl-metascybe at www.ndl.co.uk
CareWorks at www.careworks.co.uk

ndl-metascybe to attend Socitm Annual Conference

July, 2006

In our decennial year of association with Socitm, we will, as usual be attending the 2006 annual conference at the Harrogate International Centre from 1st to 3rd October.

This year we are exhibiting on Stands 36 and 37 and are proud to be joining forces with Innovations Leeds, to show you how our integration technology (already proven in over 50 Local Authority projects) can be married to the most innovative information systems to provide efficient, rapid, cost effective, end to end integration solutions.

Also, don't miss the launch of our annual CRM and Integration Report, in which, for the third year running we have interviewed over half the UK Authorities on matters such as CRM implementation, the barriers faced with back office integration, real efficiency savings gained and how Government Connect will be implemented.

So, call in for your complimentary copy of the report and learn the latest about our Connectivity, Integration and Mobile solutions, or discuss any projects you have in the pipeline.

As always we look forward to seeing you in Harrogate.

ndl-metascybe releases CRM survey in association with Computing

September, 2006

For the third year in succession, ndl-metascybe has thoroughly investigated the UK Local Government CRM (Customer Relationship Management) marketplace... read more

ndl-metascybe to attend Socitm Annual Conference

July, 2006

In our decennial year of association with Socitm, we will, as usual be attending the 2006 annual conference at the Harrogate International Centre from 1st to 3rd October.

This year we are exhibiting on Stands 36 and 37 and are proud to be joining forces with Innovations Leeds, to show you how our integration technology (already proven in over 50 Local Authority projects) can be married to the most innovative information systems to provide efficient, rapid, cost effective, end to end integration solutions.

Also, don't miss the launch of our annual CRM and Integration Report, in which, for the third year running we have interviewed over half the UK Authorities on matters such as CRM implementation, the barriers faced with back office integration, real efficiency savings gained and how Government Connect will be implemented.

So, call in for your complimentary copy of the report and learn the latest about our Connectivity, Integration and Mobile solutions, or discuss any projects you have in the pipeline.

As always we look forward to seeing you in Harrogate.

FREE Integration Seminars in May and June

April, 2006

ndl-metascybe is going on the road again with a further series of Local Government seminars on integration, middleware and interoperability and will be inviting IT Managers, e-Government and t-Government officers from across the UK to attend in ten venues up and down the country.

In 2005, ndl-metascybe's first integration seminars, were so successful, that the company is repeating the exercise. The agenda this time round has changed. There will be greater focus on Transformation Government and on the different integration approaches. In addition there will be presentations on middleware and its ‘real' value for effective integration.

Attendees will hear from the most experienced practitioners including Local Authorities themselves how to achieve joined up systems in the most cost effective, efficient and timely way without having to rely on vendor APIs.

Also presenting will be Innovations Leeds which has unparalleled experience taking processes from Data Input right through to Data Integration.

A full agenda is available here.

The dates and venues are as follows:

Wednesday 17th May Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Thursday 18th May Newcastle City Council
Tuesday 23rd May Redditch Borough Council
Wednesday 31st May Harrogate Borough Council
Tuesday 6th June Salford City Council
Thursday 8th June Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Tuesday 13th June Buckinghamshire County Council (Aylesbury)
Wednesday 14th June Leicester City Council
Wednesday 21st June Newport City Council
Thursday 22nd June South Lakeland District Council (Kendal)

If you are interested in attending, simply e-mail integration@ndl.co.uk, call 01936 543500 or download a simple faxback form here

NB: Places are strictly limited, so be sure to book immediately to avoid disappointment.

Local Authorities join forces to keep integration costs down

March, 2006

In response to the rising costs and inflexibility of suppliers' integration solutions to existing back-office systems, a number of senior Local Government IT managers have joined forces to embrace an alternative solution.

February saw the inaugural meeting of the Active Windows Integrator (AWI) User Group, where a number of Local Authorities met to discuss the possibility of sharing scripts and to create an environment where knowledge and codes of best practice could be shared among members. The aim of the user group is to closely examine the need for IT managers to rely heavily on vendor API's and to share source code through the creation of a common library.

AWI User Group Chairman, Martin Fuggles, of Martin Fuggles Associates said: "The public sector across the UK spends in excess of £14 billion on IT systems every year. If Local Authorities are to avoid unnecessary expenditure and successfully implement the Transformational Government strategy, opportunities to share information such as the AWI User Group must be embraced."

Chris Rymer, Business and Systems Manager, Harrogate Borough Council, remarked: "In order to implement a cost effective integration strategy, councils should include a supplier that provides an all inclusive IT integration solution, such as the one we have purchased from ndl-metascybe.

"This provides a flexible alternative, which can be utilised if the integration solutions offered by back office suppliers prove not to be cost effective or are limited in scope. The AWI solution can also be used to automate many other processes outside of the integration debate."

"The AWI User Group is an excellent idea and I'd urge other Local Government Authorities to join. All founder members believe this will be a great success. As we have all agreed to share our scripts, we can now significantly reduce our development costs. Long-term we will all be able to benefit from the potential human resource and financial savings available through active membership", he concluded.

Connectivity software and application integration specialist, ndl-metascybe, is to provide online hosting of the user group area, script library and online forum. Password protection will ensure user group member discussions and interactions remain private and secure. Importantly, the company will be on-hand to answer questions raised in the forum requiring more technical expertise.

A clear plan has been developed by the current members of the group, with quarterly meetings to be arranged in which pressing issues including Government Connect and the use of middleware will be discussed. The next meeting, provisionally scheduled for the week commencing 15th May 2006, will include sessions focussed on the use of middleware including BizTalk, LGOL-Net and Cape Clear.

ndl-metascybe achieves Microsoft Gold Partner Status

March, 2006

ndl-metascybe is pleased to announce that it has attained Gold Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program in recognition of its competency in Networking Infrastructure Solutions and ISV/Software Solutions. As a Gold Certified partner, ndl-metascybe has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven ability to meet customers' needs.

"This achievement is recognition of ndl-metascybe's expertise and outstanding technology in networking and application integration. Achieving Microsoft Gold Partner status shows our commitment to ensuring our products have been tested and verified for use on Microsoft platforms. It also represents the scale and nature of the solutions we deliver and the level of our customer satisfaction," explains Declan Grogan, Managing Director, ndl-metascybe.

Karl Noakes, Director of the Partner Development Group at Microsoft, said: "Customers want to work with partners that can help them meet their business needs by exploiting technology's capabilities. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, and can build a positive customer experience with our technologies. Customers can trust that Microsoft Gold Partners can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. As a Microsoft Gold partner, ndl-metascybe can offer its customers this reassurance - a professional organisation with the backing of Microsoft's resources."

Microsoft Gold Certified Partners are the elite Microsoft business partners; they have the knowledge, skills, and commitment to help implement technology solutions that match exact customer business needs. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners have passed the highest level of requirements from Microsoft and have demonstrated the most robust, efficient and scalable implementations of Microsoft technologies in demonstrated enterprise customer deployments or an on-site Microsoft assessment. In return they receive a rich set of benefits, including access to training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

ndl-metascybe to attend Socitm Spring 2006

February, 2006

Continuing our long standing 7 year association with Socitm, we will, as usual be attending the 2006 spring event at the Reebok stadium in Bolton on 27th April 2006.

This year we will be exhibiting on Stand 16, so call in to learn about our latest Connectivity, Mobile and Integration solutions. Alternatively, if you would simply like to discuss any projects you have in the pipeline, or the challenges your organisation are facing, please feel free to do so.

We look forward to seeing you in Bolton

AWI User Group

January, 2006

In response to pressure from customers, ndl-metascybe has today announced that there is to be a User Group for its popular Active Windows Integrator Product (AWI).

The inaugural meeting will be held at Tamworth Borough Council on 7th February. Iain Pickering, Product Director for ndl-metascybe comments "AWI is quickly becoming the Integration tool of choice for Local Authorities and we are being constantly asked whether a User Group exists for the product".

He continues "Most enquiries involve the existence of a shared library of scripts and this item is high on the agenda for the first meeting. A key benefit of any User Group is that members pool information to make their lives easier. We hope the AWI membership will be no different and will contribute freely. The script library, to which all members will contribute and have access, will give Authorities a head start when they come to build interfaces to their systems.

Although it would be inappropriate for us to run the group, we are keen to be involved in its inception and to offer ongoing support to the committee and its members. We have thus commissioned an independent consultant to initiate the foundation of the group and to invite potential committee members to come along and experience the benefits of such a body."

Pickering concludes "We know Members will further develop relationships with their peers through the group and the online community forum where the scripts will be documented, updated and added to over time. Members will also be able to learn ‘tips and tricks' from other users and inherit extended knowledge about the technology that could eventually lower their business risk. We are eager to get the User Group started and have every confidence this will be a huge success."

Schedule for the Inaugural meeting:

  • Appoint a Chair and Secretary for the Group
  • Set the frequency, length, format and venue for future meetings
  • Map out the remainder of the Agenda. during an open discussion
  • ndl-metascybe will provide a session/presentation on the latest version of AWI
  • Attendees will get the opportunity to express views and opinions on what should be included and how they see the new version will fit in with their needs

Lunch and refreshments will be provided during the day

If you wish to be involved in the AWI User Group or would like to find out more information about it please click here.

ndl-metascybe launches CRM Survey findings at Socitm 2005

November, 2005

For the second year running, we have surveyed Local Authorities and their use of Customer Relationship Management systems. Despite continuing pressure from Government to provide a more integrated service to the public, most authorities say that their CRM have fallen short of expectations.

To download a copy of the full report, please click here (note that this PDF is 3MB). To order hard copies of the report contact us here.

For comparison, last years report is still available as a PDF (note this is also 3MB).

Nomad highlights ndl-metascybe's Mobile Building Control

September, 2005

ndl-metascybe's Mobile-building control solution has received recognition by Project Nomad with its inclusion as a Local Authority Approved case study on the official Nomad web site.

The solution, which has now been operational at Cotswold District Council since the autumn of 2004, was examined in some detail by the Nomad team, and the resulting study produced a 24 page report which covers not just the project overview, but includes sections on the project's strategic context and business case. Highlighted also are the actual savings realised by the installation of Mobile-building control, in both cost and manpower terms.

The case study can be found by going onto the Nomad web site and then typing "metascybe" into the search box.

ndl-metascybe and Metascybe Systems announce merger

April, 2005

RealFlare, the parent company of leading software integrator, ndl-metascybe, has announced that it has acquired Metascybe Systems and that it intends to merge the two businesses. Operating since the late 70s both organisations were instrumental in the development of the UK communications software sector and until this announcement were competitors.

See our merger announcement document (.PDF) for more information.

ndl-metascybe Goes Ubiquitous

March, 2005

Leading software integrator, ndl-metascybe, has today announced that it has entered into a partnership with mobile solutions specialist Ubiquitous Systems Ltd (Ubisys) which will see both companies working together to deliver field based solutions for data capture and delivery to improve the efficiency of mobile work forces.