Further improvements have been made to SDMS V Governor Records Management System in Version 7. This includes a new set of Sample Governor Mail Merge and Email Templates to complement the existing set of Standard Templates available in the system.    In addition to the Governor Specific Data type, Sample Templates have also been set up in SDMS V Staff Development for Windows and SDMS V Adviser and School Support for Windows applications for Governor Meetings.

SDMS Support will be contacting existing users of SDMS V Governor Records for Windows: Version 7 to arrange their free upgrades.

To arrange an On Line Briefing on the new templates please contact SDMS Support on 01952 200919 or email: support@sdmsltd.com. 

The New Sample Templates:

A variety of example “MS Word Templates” are also included in the system, dealing with the broad types of letter and contract, and these can be augmented with any combination of SDMS V Governor Record for Windows data and word-processor documents to create form-letters, mail-merge letters, qualification and attendance certificates, memos and other documents, with data drawn directly from the SDMS V Governor Record for Windows fields.

All document templates can be stored in one ‘filing cabinet’ that will be called upon when producing a letter.  As you can see, all letters can be seen at once or they can be viewed in sections e.g. Governor, Enrolment, Activity or Registers.  All documents produced can be sent to a Word Document, Straight to the printer, via email or to the Fax Machine.

Send for your Information Pack!

If you don’t have the Governor Records Management System and would like further information, an Information Pack is available; call Sales and Business Development on 01952 200911 or email: sales@sdmsltd.com  for your copy.

Click Here for more information on SDMS V Governor Records for Windows

e-NMDS Workforce Web Self-Serve

Web Tools for Workforce Data Management

SDMS Launches New Web Product!

SDMS is pleased to introduce you to our latest new web product - e-NMDS Workforce Web Self-Serve.   This product is designed to support data collection within Councils, Adult Social Care as well as Children’s Services.  It will also be of value to organisations not required to submit NMDS-SC returns but who see the usefulness of gathering workforce data for enhancing service delivery and quality.

e-NMDS Workforce Web Self-Serve

e-NMDS Web Self-Serve provides a set of web tools for staff responsible for workforce data management, managers, employees and partners to manage and update workforce data required as part of the NMDS record of the Skills for Care Council.  It allows data to be gathered on an overall organisational level and on individual employees and provides an internal data portal for employees and managers .

The e-NMDS Workforce Web Modules are: the Worker Profile with data such as staff ethnic profile, length of service, job roles, absence levels and salary information, qualifications achieved and the qualifications being worked towards; the Organisational Profile with recruitment sources and retention levels, leaving reasons analysis, and current staffing levels.

e-NMDS Web Self-Serve and SDMS NMDS-SC and Workforce Data

e-NMDS Workforce Self-Serve is available as part of the SDMS V NMDS Modules of SDMS V Staff Development and Learning Management for Windows:  Social Services Edition Version 7 and now for SDMS Children’s Services and Council Editions. 

The SDMS NMDS Product set consists of two Modules: The NMDS-SC Data Collection Module and the NMDS-SC Data Upload and now the e-NMDS Workforce Self-Serve Web Module.

e-NMDS Employee and Manager Self-Serve Workforce Data

Designed to help overcome the disparate data problematic where NMDS-SC data is typically not held in a single system – some being held in HR, some in Payroll, some in local in-house systems and some not held at all and only gathered when the NMDS has to be completed - this new web module for e-NMDS Workforce data is designed to simplify and reduce the costs of bringing together this data.

The e-NMDS Workforce Module provides tools to allow for On Line Data Entry and collection of Employee and Organisation data and is offered for SDMS V Staff Development and Learning Management: Social Services Edition Version 7, Council and Children’s Services Editions.

This web module allows employees to update their own NMDS data record as well as managers to do the same for their own staff.  In addition, it allows managers and partners to confirm or update their Organisational Profile in a single web form view.

For more information:

An Information Pack and Product Booklet are available at the end of September, call Sales and Business Development on 01952 200911 or email: sales@sdmsltd.com  for your copy.

Why Not Book an On Line Presentation and Send for Your Information Pack?

We are now taking bookings for on line presentations of e-NMDS Workforce for early October onwards.  To book a free On Line Presentation contact Sales and Business Development on 01952 200911 or email: sales@sdmsltd.com. 

Latest NMDS Upgrade for Staff Development: Version 7

This upgrade includes the latest changes to the SDMS NMDS-SC Data and NMDS-SC Bulk Upload Modules of SDMS V Staff Development and Learning Management for Windows: Version 7.

Summary of Changes to NMDS for 2016

In June 2016 a series of amendments to the National Minimum Data Set for Social Care specification were announced and SDMS V Staff Development and Learning Management: Version 7 has been upgraded to meet the latest requirements for the National Minimum Data Set for Social Care (NMDS-SC) data collection.  These changes are summarised below.

Changes in Employee Data:

The following additional new fields have been added to the Employee Data Specification for 2016:

1. Zero hours’ contract change – NMDS now requires that for each worker whether they are on Zero-hours contract or not is reported on
2. Changing unique worker ID – An extra column can now be inserted where you wish to change the unique worker ID

Changes in Organisation Data:

The following additional fields have been added to the Organisation Data Specification for 2016:

1. Share LA – When Sharing Data with the Local Authority has been selected; it is now possible to select which Local Authority they wish the data to be shared with.  Skills for Care can share the following data items with your selected local authorities: NMDS-SC number; name of business; address fields; main service; number of workers; percentage of worker records completed and when your account was last updated. These fields will allow local authorities to monitor contract compliance (where NMDS-SC data submission has been used as part of commissioning criteria).

Further Details of the latest changes to the National Minimum Data Set for Social Care can be found here: http://www.nmds-sc-online.org.uk  

Synopsis of the Most Important NMDS Changes prior to 2016

As well as the changes detailed above, it is worth noting the most significant changes prior to these and which have already been incorporated in previous releases of Version 7 :

The following fields were previously added to the Employee Data Set:

• Care Certificate – New Field to indicate whether the Care Certificate has been completed. It is possible to choose from Achieved, Not Achieved and In Progress.
• Care Certificate Date Achieved – Date that Care Certificate has been Achieved
• Registered Nurse Registration Category – For anyone set as a Registered Nurse (Job Role 16), the Category of Registration can be selected e.g. Adult Nurse, Children’s Nurse etc.
• Registered Nurse Specialism - For anyone set as a Registered Nurse (Job Role 16), any Specialisms can be selected e.g. Adults, Mental Health, Community Care etc.

The following fields were previously added to the Organisation Data Set:

• Sharing permissions for NHS choices and MyNHS – Checkbox on the NMDS-SC Tab to indicate whether the Organisation has given permission for its data to be shared with the NHS Choices and MyNHS.
• Sharing Permissions for Local Authority - Checkbox on the NMDS-SC Tab to indicate whether the Organisation has given permission for its data to be shared with Local Authorities.

What Is The NMDS-SC

The Skills for Care Council collects data on an overall organisational level, and on an individual employee or work level to support workforce development planning and strategy at a national level. The National Minimum Data Set (NMDS-SC) data on individuals consists of staff ethnic profile, length of service, job roles, absence levels and salary information, qualifications achieved and the qualifications being worked towards.

At the organisational level, the Skills for Care Council is interested in collecting information about recruitment sources and retention levels, leaving reasons analysis, current staffing levels and profile of staff, helping to identify trends in the workforce and skill gaps.

In April 2008, the NMDS-SC Online system was made available along with a new Bulk Upload Tool which incorporated functionality so that it allows employers to upload data in bulk directly to the Skills for Care system without the need for extensive manual data entry.  Of course the data has to be gathered from somewhere!  And our experience is that it is probably not held in a single system – some being held in HR, some in Payroll, some in local in-house systems and some not held at all and only gathered when the NMDS has to be completed.  SDMS Ltd’s NMDS and Workforce products are complementary to this system providing Councils, Social Services and the Voluntary Care Sector with a set of data gathering and aggregation tools for use at local level.

SDMS NMDS-SC and Workforce Data

Available as either an Optional Module or Standapart product; the SDMS V NMDS Modules are available for SDMS V Staff Development and Learning Management for Windows:  Social Services Edition Version 7 and now for SDMS Children’s Services and Council Editions. 

The SDMS NMDS Product set consists of two Modules: The NMDS-SC Data Collection Module and the NMDS-SC Data Upload.  This module has been now been updated and extended for 2016 to match the latest specification of the NMDS-SC.  And now of course includes the e-NMDS Workforce Self-Serve Web Module.

For more information or to arrange an On Line Presentation:

For more information on the Changes to NMDS for 2016 or If you don’t currently have the NMDS Modules and would like information and pricing or to arrange a free On Line Presentation please contact Sales and Business Development on 01952 200911 or email: sales@sdmsltd.com

Changes to the Candidate Details Form in the Recruitment and Selection Module including Access to the Availability Screens and Functions in the Part Time and Casual Staff module of HRPersonnel for Windows

• An amendment to the Hobbies on the Candidate Details form allowing the Areas of interest to be selected from a list with multi picklist.
• The Availability screens and functions that are currently part of the part time and casual staff module are now available directly within the Recruitment and Selection Candidate Details form as well. This allows a record of dates and sessions (AM, PM etc.) the candidate is available to work.
• A notes field has been added to the Availability Form in the Part Time and Casual Staff Module and the Candidate Details Form of the recruitment module.
• The addition of preferred work location on Candidate form (using location code from Employee record)
• The User Defined Profile screens and functions on the Candidate Profile forms are now included on the Candidate Details Form as well. These are available using the new User Defined Profile button.
• Report: Candidates by Areas of Interest with Vacancy
• Report: Candidate Availability Summary
• Report: Candidate Availability Notes
• Report: Candidates Available by Date and Session
• Report: Candidates by Preferred Locations
• Report: Candidates with User Defined Profiles

A New Product from SDMS Ltd!

EasyRecruit.Net Professional - A New Product: Saving Costs and Time in New Employee Recruitment and Job Applications Processing

              EasyRecruit.Net Professional – A New On Line Job Application Module for HRPersonnel 

New Product New Features New Benefits

EasyRecruit.Net Professional is a New Product for users of HRPersonnel for Windows desktop application.

The web module allows vacancies to be posted to the web and On Line Job Applications to be completed by applicants with the On Line Job Application synchronised with the Recruitment and Selection Module of HRPersonnel itself - saving massively on recruitment costs and staff time.

Form Designer and Customisability:

And while built around the most common data requested in job application forms Easy Recruit.Net also allows the on line form to be modelled by you around your particular requirements with it’s in-built and easy to use application form designer and customisation tools.

The On Line Application Form Elements:

The On Line Job Application Form allows you to include all typical elements of standard job application forms:

• Post Vacancies on your Website
• Collect Personal Details
• Gather Equal Opportunities Information
• Educational History
• Qualifications and Skills
• Previous Employment
• Membership of Professional Bodies
• Previous Training
• Experience Profile
• Interests and Hobbies
• References
• Supporting Statement
• Criminal Convictions and Safeguarding

Form Designer and Customisability:

Usability and Flexibility New Features

EasyRecruit.Net Professional now includes a set of new features and extended data on the On Line Job Application Form addressing best practice and employment law:

EasyRecruit.Net Professional includes many features to place control of the on line application form content as well as look and feel under the control of the customer. These are provided by a special administration access level providing a range of form designer tools:

New Personal Details Form

The ability for user to change words and text language on the application form design itself

Book your On Line Presentation: The New EasyRecruit.Net

We are running a series of on line presentations in April and May 2016. For dates and times and to book your places please contact Denise on 01952 200911 or by email: admin@sdmsltd.com.

For More Information or to Buy:

Equal Opportunities New Features for SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows: Recruitment and Selection Module

This extensive upgrade to the Recruitment and Selection Module of HRPersonnel represents a significant increase and improvement in the equal opportunities data that can be gathered during the recruitment and selection process. This reflects the increasing demands on compliance imposed by law and HR best practice.

On Line User Briefing: Tuesday  22^nd  March 2016, 9.30am to 10.30am

We will be running a briefing session to show the new features and how they may help in your work on Tuesday 22^nd March 2016, 9.30am – 10.30am. 

To book your places please contact me on 01952 200911 or by email: admin@sdmsltd.com.

Installation Proposed Date: Tuesday 29^nd March 2016

We are planning to update your system with the new features on Tuesday 29^th March 2016 at a time convenient to you. SDMS Support will be contacting you to discuss this with you and arrange a suitable date and time if this is not convenient.

The New Features in the Upgrade

In summary the upgrades includes:

		The addition of a Note field to the gender and transgender data form in the Employee Record
		The addition of the gender and transgender form to the Candidate form of the Recruitment Module
		The addition Pregnancy and Maternity data
		The ability to hold the Former Name of the applicant on the Main Candidate Form
		Additional codes for Marital Status: Marriage and Civil Partnership
		The ability to hold more than one reason for applying for the job
		Amendment to candidate data to address Eligibility to Work in UK
		Addition of Restrictions button for Notes on Restrictions for Working in UK
		Amendments to the data held on Disability
		Addition of Candidates Relationship to employed or related to members
		Additional Reports

To access a copy of the Customer Bulletin with Full details of the Equal Opportunities Upgrade Changes: Click Here

On Line Training - Support your Investment in the Product by Investing in Training

Are your staff fully trained in the use of HRPersonnel? How the product is effectively used can save you 000’s of pounds. Why not invest in user training to help you achieve this?

For more information or to arrange an On Line Presentation:

If you don’t currently have HRPersonnel for Windows: Recruitment and Selection Module and would like more information and pricing or to arrange a free On Line Presentation please contact Sales and Business Development on 01952 200911 or email: sales@sdmsltd.com

New Reports for SDMS V e-SD.Net and e-HRP.Net Employee Self Serve and Line Manager Web Access

With increasing interest in SDMS Web Products; both e-HRP.Net Self-Serve Web Access Reporting Module for SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows and e-SD.Net Self Serve Web Access Reporting Module for our staff development and training administration product have been extended and improved with a selection of new web reports. They enable administrators, line managers and staff to access even more information about skills, qualifications and self-study for themselves or their staff.

This upgrade includes new reports covering: Skills and Competencies, Qualifications Reports, CPD Reports and Evaluation Reports (e-SD.Net only).

The New Additional e-SD.Net and e-HRP.Net Web Reports:

Skills and Competencies Reports:

• My Competencies Report
• Staff Competencies Report by Competency

Qualification Reports:

• My Qualifications Report
• Staff Qualifications Report by Competency

CPD Reports:

• My CPD Report
• Staff CPD Report by Date

Evaluation Reports:

• Staff Evaluations Report by Date
• Staff Evaluations Summary Count

Skills and Competencies Reports:

• My Competencies Report
• Staff Competencies Report by Competency

Qualification Reports:

• My Qualifications Report
• Staff Qualifications Report by Competency

CPD Reports:

• My CPD Report
• Staff CPD Report by Date

A brief Report Synopsis and Summary is available for each report; contact SDMS Business Support on 01952 200911 or by email: admin@sdmsltd.com to get your copy. 

And with Version 7 SDMS V Staff Development providing the highly sophisticated “back office“ to SDMS Web our upgrade strategy of “change with continuity” delivers a new improved Interface and expanded functionality for training administrators.

Additional Reports for SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows: Staff Absence

New Reports for Staff Absence

Continuing our programme of extending the reporting functions of SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows into 2016 the latest set of new reports extends reporting on staff and employee absence.  As with other recent releases; these reports will be provided free to all customers. This upgrade includes 8 new reports covering: adoption, maternity leave, absence frequency and a further report on pensions.

On Line User Briefing: Thursday 11^th February 2016, 9.30am to 10.30am - FREE OF CHARGE

We will be running a briefing session to show the new reports and how they may help in your work on Thursday 11^th February 2016, 9.30am – 10.30am. 

To book your places please contact Denise on 01952 200911 or by email: admin@sdmsltd.com.

Installation Proposed Date: Wednesday 17^th February 2016

We are planning to update your system with the new reports on Wednesday 17^th February 2016 at a time convenient to you. SDMS Support will be contacting you shortly to discuss this with you and arrange a suitable date and time if this is not convenient.

The New Reports are:

a) Cost of Maternity Leave Report

b) Specific Maternity Leave Meetings Log with Notes

c) Adoption Leave Report

d) Absence – Lost Time Rate Analysis Report

e) Sickness and Absence Frequency Analysis Report

f) Absence Bradford Factor Analysis Report

g) Absence – Working Time 17 week Average

h) Pensions – Workplace Pension Eligibility List

A brief Report Synopsis and Summary is available for each report; contact SDMS Business Support on 01952 200911 or by email: admin@sdmsltd.com to get your copy. 

Continuing our 2015 programme of enhancing the reporting functions of SDMS V e-Training for Web and Intranet Access and extending web functionality to other SDMS Products we have now released the new web reporting module for QCF Learning and Skills for Windows. This new reporting module makes available the key QCF information online to Line Managers and Administrators.

Reports

This new module includes 23 new reports which cover: Award Details, Award and Unit Involvement, Cost Breakdown by Award, Sampled Units, Units Started and Achieved, Target Achievement and Unit Achievement. 

Award Administration

By providing a reporting module for SDMS V QCF Learning and Skills for Windows, we believe that we have very significantly enhanced the value of the Windows application by proving the ability to share information via the web about progress and key data on QCF awards. e-QCF reports are available to administrators, employees and candidates as well as assessors and verifiers and therefore eases the administration of QCF awards.

Further Development in QCF - Let Us Know

We are now in the process of developing further the web module to support the day to day work of QCF administrators, assessors as well as candidates. What do you need? Let us know - call to discuss so we can build your requirements into our 2016 software development plans.

Special Offer Prices for Purchases before end of March 2016!

JIGSAW - January 2016 Release Announcement!

•  Remote Desktop Sharing gives facilitators and participants the ability to control each other's computers remotely.

• Desktop Sharing is easier to use as the duplicating screens are gone and the mouse cursor is now visible to all participants when screen sharing.

• New fill options for the "circle" and the "rectangle", located on the Whiteboard that allows you to add color or transparency to these whiteboard symbols.  

• A "Weekly Attendance Report" allows the facilitator to see attendance records for each participant during any open session for the week.  

• Access Control - A facilitator controls when participants can actually join the session with Jigsaw's new setting that  allows early joining. Participants now have a session timer alerting them to the scheduled start time prior to joining.

SDMS Version 7

SDMS V Staff Development for Windows: Version 7 Features

Version 7 SDMS V Staff Development has been extensively enhanced making it richer in functionality and easier to use.  We have adopted a strategy of “change with continuity” in Version 7.  From a new improved Interface with a larger working environment to compatibility with the latest operating systems; it is packed with New Features and Functionality to help with day-to-day training administration.

Massive Savings for Existing Customers who upgrade before

31^st March 2016!

 - So why not call or Click Here to get your Quotation for Version 7!

 - And call or Click Here to get your Brochure Information Pack!

 - And call or Click Here to book your one-to-one On Line Version 7 Demo

  Call 01952 - 200911 or email admin@sdmsltd.com to arrange your own individual On Line Software Presentation

Additional Reports for SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows: Rostering and Staff Scheduling

Continuing our 2015 programme of enhancing the reporting functions of SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows; we are now releasing a set of new reports for the SDMS V Rostering and Staff Scheduling Module.  As with other recent releases; these reports will be provided free to all customers that have the Rostering Module currently installed. This upgrade includes 10 new reports and covers: Rota Team Set up List, Rota Schedule Details, Planned Hours Summary, Checking Clashes between Rosters, Costs of Rota and Availability.

The New Rostering and Staff Scheduling Reports:

a) Rota Template Team Set Up List

b) Rota Schedule Details

c) Rota Booking Details by Rota and Person with Date and Time

d) Rota Booking Details by Date and Time with Person Details

e) Rota Booking Clashes by Date and Time with Person Details

f)  Rota Template Details Report

g) Summary of Costs of Rota

h) Rota Booking Non Attendance Report by Date and Time

i)  Rota Availability Check

j)  Qualification and Skills Check for Rota Availability

In designing these new reports we have consulted extensively with existing HRPersonnel customers as well as reviewing the most common additional reporting requests made to SDMS Support or in the course of end user training and software presentations.

Book an On Line Briefing to look at the New Reports:

To book your On Line Briefing of the New Reports; contact SDMS Business Support on 01952-200911 or by email: admin@sdmsltd.com

For Further Information:

A full and detailed Synopsis of the reports is available. To get your copy of this document please contact SDMS Business Support on 01952-200911 or by email: admin@sdmsltd.com

Link to HRPersonnel Webpage

Sharing on Information within any organisation is particularly relevant where organisations are looking at saving time and money. With the Reporting features available within SDMS V e-Training; managers can be provided with 24/7 access to keep track of an employee’s progress and how they are completing their units and progressing to achieving the award. The product therefore supports a shared information base for managing key aspects of employee development and making the best use of skills and training.

With the e-QCF Reporting Module; Line Managers can also produce details of all of the staff who are currently registered on an award in preparation for departmental meetings, staff appraisals and OFSTED and CQC inspections.  They will be able to provide evidence that their staff have the necessary qualifications and skills and are currently working towards gaining new skills and qualifications based on the local government requirements for receiving funding.

With the reporting options now available and access being provided 24/7; managers can generate their own reports without having to rely on someone in the training department being available.  The reports available for the Line Manager login not only include the ability to report on their own Awards, but also monitor their staff on awards via the QCF Reports menu option.  These reports help the organisation ensure that managers are in a position where they have access to all the information they need to manage, monitor and deliver the organisations guidelines and objectives.

List of e-QCF Web Reports Available:

• Award Details
• Award with Qualification Credit Structure
• Award & Unit Involvement by Candidate
• Award & Unit Involvement by Award & Candidate
• Award & Unit Involvement by Group & Candidate
• Award & Unit Involvement by Award Assessor/Verifier & Candidate
• Award & Unit Involvement by Unit Assessor/Verifier & Candidate
• Candidate List by Award & Group
• Candidate Units Started & Achieved Count by Candidate & Award
• Candidate Credit Progress Report

• Award Target Achievement by Candidate and Award
• Unit Target Achievement by Candidate and Award
• Award Time Achievement by Candidate and Award
• Unit Time Achievement by Candidate and Award
• Units Started Count
• Award Involvement by QCF Level
• Portfolio Details
• Sampling by Unit Verifier
• Meetings by Candidate
• Meetings by Month & Date

Call 01952 200911 or email: support@sdmsltd.com for more information on the e-QCF Web Reporting Module.

Call 01952 - 200911 or email admin@sdmsltd.com to arrange your own individual On Line Software Presentation or Book Here: Click Here!

New QCF Award Credit/Unit Calculation Rules Update for Version 6 Users!

A new feature to allow rules to be defined for each QCF award has now been developed for SDMS V QCF Learning and Skills: Version 7. To assist selected users of SDMS products a pre-release version of this is available to a selected number of users of Version 6.

On Line Briefings are being offered w/b 14th December to show these changes and improvements to our customers and to arrange dates for the installation of the upgrade.

For more information please contact SDMS Support on 01952 200919 or email: support@sdmsltd.com.

SDMS Retains Investors in People Accreditation following Reassessment in 2015!

For SDMS, being an Investor in People is about ensuring that every member of staff delivers continuously high standards of customer service.  Our ability to provide this high standard of customer service to our customers is built on the skills of our employees, who are our greatest asset.

We aim to continue to improve and make SDMS a great company to do business with.

Commenting on the latest IIP Accreditation, David Stevens, Managing Director, said:

“IIP provides a model for continuous improvement and we are committed to maintaining and enhancing the high standards we have achieved. It is essential to us to have a clear vision, strategy, direction and purpose which is shared with and owned by our staff.

Investors in People and the accreditation process has helped us to focus on our people, to help them achieve their full potential, enhance performance and meet our business goals.

We are all extremely proud of this achievement.”

The Latest Upgrade for SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows

New Reports: August 2015

We have an active programme of upgrading HRPersonnel for Windows; extending its data management and core functionality. At present our upgrade priorities are focused on extending and improving reporting particularly in those areas of the software that are more and more actively used by customers.

SDMS Development Staff have worked closely with existing users to provide an extensive set of additional reports for HRPersonnel. The reports focus on the day to day practical tasks performed by HR Administration Staff as well as on the more strategic information needs while at the same time many of the reports address the current and most pressing need to ensure statutory compliance.

In designing these new reports we have consulted extensively with customers as well as reviewing the most common additional reporting requests made to SDMS Support or in the course of user training and presentations. We have also researched and reflected on the most current HR Management topics – such as pension’s management – and have sought to incorporate these into the new reports.

Matrix of Reports included in the Upgrade:

Book an On Line Demo of the New Reports:

To book your On Line Demo of the New Reports; contact SDMS Business Support on 01952-200911 or by email: admin@sdmsltd.com

For Further Information:

A full and detailed Synopsis of the reports is available. To get your copy of this document please contact SDMS Business Support on 01952-200911 or by email: admin@sdmsltd.com

Link to HRPersonnel Webpage

New Reports for SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows:

FE Colleges in England: SIR23 Free Upgrade Now Available!

SIR 23 – Latest Changes in Staff Individualised Record

SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows: College Edition - Modifications and Changes to SIR Module for SIR23

As regular visitors to this website will know, each year learning providers in the FE sector return data about staff employed during the previous teaching year. The Education & Training Foundation uses this data to inform the targeting of government investment and for other statistical purposes.

As our college customers will undoubtedly already be aware, the SIR specification has been updated this year with a small number of changes for the SIR23 Return. Our College edition of SDMS HRPersonnel comes with the SIR Module included and as part of your Annual License and Support Fee this will be updated every year for free when the new changes have been updated in the software.

Whether you are already thinking about starting your SIR Return or not, you will be pleased to hear that SDMS have already updated the HRPersonnel SIR module ready for Upgrade to your software.

What has changed for SIR23?

In the latest specification for the Staff Individualised Record 23 for 2014/2015 data collection; the number of data items are the same as the previous submission and still require 18 fields to be produced.

The only change which has been made relates to the details collected for the Main Subject Taught which has the following amendments.

A response of 01 - Science and Mathematics is no longer valid and has been replaced with the introduction of the following two codes

15 - Science

16 - Mathematics

Information on Future Years Data Collection

Within the specification document they have notified us of some changes which will be made for Future Data Collections, From SIR24 the system of collection will change and there will be dramatic improvements in the data and reports available to those providing data. It will also begin to cover the entire education and training sector, including private training providers and adult and community learning providers.

If you would like further information on this change, please contact the Foundation on sirenquiries@etfoundation.co.uk  

As soon as we have any further information on these changes we will include them in a future newsletter article.

Free On Line Briefing: Wednesday 29^th April 2015 , 10:30am to 11:00am Book Your Place

We will be providing a free online briefing on how to use the SIR module and the latest changes. This is scheduled for Wednesday 29^th April 2015, 10:30am – 11:00am, to book your place call Denise on 01952 200911 or email admin@sdmsltd.com

Timescales for Completing SIR23

The SIR23 collection will open on 03/08/2015 and providers are expected to submit, validate and sign-off their return by 01/12/2015. The SIR 23 data collection will follow the same process as SIR 22, using the online data collection system.

SIR Module of SDMS

The SIR Module of SDMS Ltd’s personnel software is a fully integrated product and wherever SIR related data is entered it is automatically presented in the SIR module screens. Missing data audits smooth out the often troublesome process of gathering the SIR data. The SIR module and updates are standard within the FE Edition and are provided free together with On Line Training in the latest changes.

More Information

For more information on the changes to SIR, the full SIR 23 Specification for 2014/2015 can be viewed on the SIR Data Collection Website via the following link:

https://www.sirdatacollection.org.uk/consultation/sites/default/files/FE_specification_SIR23.pdf

Upgrade is Now Ready to be installed: Call SDMS Support to Book Your Date

The SIR Module of SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows has now been amended to meet the latest SIR23 specification and is ready for installation for all College users.

To arrange for the installation of your upgrade please contact SDMS Support on 01952 200919 or by email: support@sdmsltd.com to arrange a suitable date and time. We recommend that this is done at the earliest convenient date to ensure timely production of SIR23.

Links:

Click Here for Further Information

See What Our College Users Say

SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows: FE Edition

e-HRP.Net Version 2 Now Released!

Screen Design

Included in the new version is a fresh new screen design, simplifying and modernising the look and feel of the website.

e-HRP.Net Home Page

Branding

Each Installation of e-HRP.Net can now have its own branding applied to the application by introducing a new Banner at the top of the screen which can include Logo, Company Name etc. This can be matched to your existing corporate colours or website.

New Features:

Several New Features have also been added:

• Multi-Year Holiday View – Past and Future
• Request Holiday for Future Holiday Years
• New Edit Buttons to enhance and speed up the data update process
• View Only Access on all Tools e.g. Holidays, Absence etc.
• Manager shortcuts to Approve Holidays at point of entry
• Manager shortcuts to  Run Staff Holiday Reports at Approval Stage
• Manager View Summary of Holidays Booked in Team/Department

Reporting Module:

The new reports module for SDMS V e-HRP.Net is now available for users of e-HRP.Net and SDMS V HRPersonnel Version 5. Making information readily but securely available is something we are all trying to do but sometimes we don’t want employees to update and change data but only be able to view.

Share real time HR and employee development information safely and securely with Staff, Managers and Administrators via their Web Browser on any device. Who is absent from this week, who is booked on holiday or how many staff are available this week are just some of the day to day questions which can be answered with the new reporting module of e-HRP.Net Web  Access.

Staff Holidays Report

Free Upgrade to Existing Users:

The new version is free to existing users of SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows Version 5 who also have e-HRP.Net. To get your free upgrade just call SDMS Support on 01952-200919 or by email: support@sdmsltd.com

Information and to Purchase:

Contact SDMS Ltd’s Sales and Business Development Team on 01952-200911 or by email: sales@sdmsltd.com or alternatively visit the SDMS website: www.sdmsltd.com

Make Information available to Staff, Managers and Administrators

e-HRP.Net ReportingModule for SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows Now Released!

The new reports module for SDMS V e-HRP.Net is now available for users of e-HRP.Net and SDMS V HRPersonnel Version 5. Making information readily but securely available is something we are all trying to do but sometimes we don’t want employees to update and change data but only be able to view.

Share real time HR and employee development information safely and securely with Staff, Managers and Administrators via their Web Browser on any device. Who is absent from this week, who is booked on holiday or how many staff are available this week are just some of the day to day questions which can be answered with the new reporting module of e-HRP.Net Web  Access.

Available Reports:

Training Course Reports

Absence Reports

Report Query

Each Report contains a Report Query section which allows you to filter and customise the information that is shown on the report. The Report Query options vary for each type of report but usually allow you to Filter by Person (if you are a Manager or Administrator) and by Training Area and Date.

Printable Page

Once the report has been filtered and produced, all users have the option to view the Report in a Printable Page, removing the colours and formatting and allowing you to print the information out on the report.

Export to CSV, Word, HTML

Also available are Standard exports to CSV (Excel), Word and a downloadable HTML view.  Exporting to CSV allows further analysis on the data held in the report.

Free Upgrade to Existing Users:

The new module is free to existing users of SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows Version 5 who also have e-HRP.Net. To get your free upgrade just call SDMS Support on 01952 200919 or by email: support@sdmsltd.com   

For More Information and to Purchase:

Contact SDMS Ltd’s Sales and Business Development Team on 01952-200911 or by email: sales@sdmsltd.com or alternatively visit the SDMS website: www.sdmsltd.com

New Module

The PIR Staffing Return simplifies the process of drawing together employee and volunteer information such as; key person, job, qualification and training details in order to produce the staffing element of the PIR. This includes: Basic person data of Employees, Agency, Apprentices, Students and Volunteers, from Job Details, Contractual information on working hours and Details on New Starters and Leavers Information including the Reasons for Leaving the Organisation for each individual person.

• Details of Attendance Timesheets records including hours per day and Work Type Details can also be used

• Contractual information on Working Hours, Post Type and Contract Type

• Training Courses with Enrolment Attendance

• Qualification Details include Qualification Name and Certificate Type

• Appraisal Details including Appraisal Type, Appraisal Status with Start Date, End Date, Appraisee and Appraiser Details

              Click here for further information.

HRPersonnel CQC Report Menu

FREE to Existing Customers

The new reporting module is free to existing customers of SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows: Hospice and Care Edition. To arrange for it to be installed call SDMS Support on 01952 200919 or email support with a suggested date: support@sdmltd.com.

HRPersonnel Job Details Screen

On Line Training - Strongly Recommended

To make best use of the new reporting module we strongly recommend the purchase of at least one hour On Line Training. This is available at £65.00 per hour and if you wish to purchase this as part of the installation call Denise on 01952-200911 or email your order to: admin@sdmsltd.com.

Although the Guide is written from the perspective of SDMS Software which combines training administration with employee records and workforce data elements in a single system, it will also be useful to users of other systems or no system at all.

For Further Information:

If you just want information about SDMS and its software just call SDMS Business Development on 01952 200911 or email: sales@sdmsltd.com or visit the SDMS Website at www.sdmsltd.com.

Topics addressed include:

For Further Information:

If you just want information about SDMS and its software just call SDMS Business Development on 01952 200911 or email: sales@sdmsltd.com or visit the SDMS Website at www.sdmsltd.com.

An Exciting New Module for our Small Business Web Product:

e-SD.Net Reporting Module Now Released!

Available for SDMS Version 6 Only!

SDMS V e-SD.Net Version 6 is our self-serve web access product designed for small businesses and the smaller organisation whether as an on-premise installation or as part of our New SDMS Cloud Products.

Making information readily but securely available to staff is something we are all trying to do but sometimes we don’t want employees to be able to update and change data, but only have the option to view.

Information to hand when you need it:

The Reports Module enables the training administrator to make information available to Staff and Managers anytime anywhere. Access is provided for Employee Contact Information, Skills and Qualification Profiles, Training History, Course Schedules, Training Needs, Self-Study and Training Evaluations. It also provides immediate access to information for Staff and managers without them having to request reports and information from the Training Administration Team which can take days to receive, reducing the burden on the Training team.

Access for Employees Managers and Administrators

Whether you are an employee who needs to view your own contact details, training records and forthcoming training events information, a manager who needs to report on staff’s training attendance before passing them to the central training department or a member of the training unit itself who needs to access real time information about course applications and courses when you are not in the office; your needs are addressed with the e-SD.Net Reporting Module. With its user definable and configurable access levels you can switch on or off which reports you want users to access at any one time. The system can be configured to limit access to reports for individuals and the staff information you can see depends upon your Record Level Access in e-SD.Net e.g. Self-Serve Users can only view information about themselves and Managers can only view records for those staff in their team.

Available Reports

Report Query

Each Report contains a Report Query section which allows you to filter and customise the information that is shown on the report. The Report Query options vary for each type of report but usually allow you to Filter by Person (if you are a Manager or Administrator) and by Training Area and Date.

Printable Page

Once the report has been filtered and produced, all users have the option to view the Report in a Printable Page, Removing the colours and formatting and allowing you to print the information out on the report.

Export to CSV, Word, HTML

Also available are Standard exports to CSV (Excel), Word and a downloadable HTML view.  Exporting to CSV allows further analysis on the data held in the report.

Free Upgrade to Existing Users:

The new module is free to existing users of e-SD.Net. To get your free upgrade just call SDMS Support on  01952-200919 or by email: support@sdmsltd.com.   

Information and to Purchase:

Contact SDMS Ltd’s Sales and Business Development Team on 01952-200911 or by email: sales@sdmsltd.com or alternatively visit the SDMS website: www.sdmsltd.com.

SDMS V e-SD.Net Web Access

SDMS V Staff Development and Learning Management for Windows

FE Colleges in England: SIR21 FREE UPGRADE NOW AVAILABLE

SIR21 - Latest Changes in Staff Individualised Record

and SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows and e-HRP.Net Upgrade

SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows: College Edition - Modifications and Changes to SIR Module for SIR21

As regular visitors to this website will know, each year FE Colleges and other learning providers in the FE Sector return data about staff employed during the previous teaching year. The Learning and Skills Improvement Service use this data to inform the targeting of government investment and for other statistical purposes.

As our College customers will undoubtedly already be aware, the SIR specification has been updated for the 2013 return with several minor but nevertheless important changes for the SIR21 Return. Our College edition of SDMS V HRPersonnel comes with the SIR Module included and as part of your Annual License and Support Fee this is updated every year for free when the new changes have been reflected in the software.

Whether you are already thinking about starting your SIR Return or not, you will be pleased to hear that SDMS have already updated the HRPersonnel SIR Module ready for Upgrade to your software.

What has Changed for SIR21?

In the latest specification for the Staff Individualised Record 21 for the 2012/13 data collection round no new fields have been added or removed from the previous major change in SIR20 but the specification for 5 fields have been updated.

Updated fields:

- Field 04 - Gender: Field values updated.

- Field 05 - Date of birth: Date pattern updated to YYYYMMDD.

- Field 12 - Ethnicity: Field values updated.

- Field 19 - Date of appointment: Date pattern updated to YYYYMMDD.

- Field 20 - Date of leaving: Date pattern updated to YYYYMMDD.

Free On Line Briefing: Thursday 11^th July 2013, 9.30 - 10.30am Book Your Place

We will be providing a free on Line briefing on how to use the SIR module and the latest changes. This is scheduled for Thursday 11^th July 2013, 9.30 - 10.30am, to book your place call Denise on 01952 - 200911 or email admin@sdmsltd.com.

Timescales for Completing SIR21?

SIR21 collection will open on 01/08/2013 and providers are expected to submit, validate and sign-off their return by 01/12/2013. The SIR21 data collection will follow the same process as previously; using the online data collection system. 

SIR Module of SDMS

The SIR Module of SDMS Ltd’s personnel software is a fully integrated product and wherever SIR related data is entered it is automatically presented in the SIR module screens. Missing data audits smooth out the often troublesome process of gathering the SIR data. The SIR module and updates are standard within the FE Edition and are provided free together with On Line Training in the latest changes.

More Information

For more information on SIR, changes to SIR21, the full SIR Specification for 2012/2013 can be viewed on the LSIS Website:

https://sirdatacollection.lsis.org.uk/consultation/sites/default/files/FE_specification_SIR21.pdf

Upgrade is Now Ready to be Installed: Call SDMS Support to Book Your Date:

The SIR Module of SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows has now been amended to meet the latest SIR21 specification and is ready for installation by all College users.

To arrange for the installation of your upgrade please contact SDMS Support on 01952 200919 or by email: support@sdmsltd.com to arrange a suitable date and time. We recommend that this is done at the earliest convenient date to ensure timely production of SIR21.

Links:

Click Here for Further Information

See What Our College Users Say

SDMS V HRPersonnel for Windows: FE Edition

SDMS are pleased to announce the 2013 arrival of the Dashboard Module for SDMS V Simplex software. Simplex Training and HR Dashboard Module provides an immediate, complete and easily understood visual presentation of key training performance indicators for your organisation.

• How many courses have we provided for our staff this year?
• What was the average course attendance and training costs?
• What % completed the course evaluation and scored the course as good or above?
• What % of the workforce were trained in customer care this year?

These are just some of the pre-set up Dashboards included with the Simplex Dashboard Module - you just click and run. The Module also includes full Dashboard Administration allowing users to design and deploy their own Dashboards to meet the company’s day to day information needs.

                                    Employee Learning Toolkits

                  SDMS Ltd Announces New Partnership with Vado Inc.

                                 Changing the Face of Learning!

SDMS Ltd has formed a partnership with Vado Inc. to provide unique learning content that is “changing the face of learning”. Vado courses offer learning content in four areas: Competency Development, Engagement and Retention, Career Development and Onboarding. The courses are offered in the form of Employee Learning Toolkits. The learning content is delivered in small bite sized chunks to maximize learning retention. Additionally, all courses include a step by step Implementation Guide leveraging the natural way people learn - on the job. Finally, Vado offers Mapping as a Service where, on a complimentary basis, we will map our learning content to a client’s learning objectives including their competency model, engagement survey, turnover drivers, and instructor led workshops or any business soft skill area a company is looking to develop.

Vado provides streaming video courses to improve individual performance, employee engagement, overall retention, and organisation results. Each course contains: short instructional video, detailed step by step Implementation Guide, downloadable Job Aid and a self-evaluation.

Short, targeted content is very popular with existing clients and employees. With Vado’s content, learners are not only gaining new knowledge, but clear action to apply what they learned on the job. Customers report that employees react well to Vado’s videos due to the shorter duration and targeted learning they provide.

Vado’s courses are loaded and hosted on the company’s learning management system and will be offered by SDMS alongside e-Front e-Learning as part of the increasing range of e-Learning resources and e-Learning content development. Vado’s courses will also be offered via the new SDMS Learning Portal on a pay as you learn basis to be launched in the early New Year.

For further information Click Here

To see Vado courses in action call SDMS Sales and Business Development on +44 (0)1952 200911 or email: sales@sdmsltd.com

e-Simplex.SelfServe: Web Access Module for Simplex

As part of our ongoing development and enhancement of SDMS Products, we are pleased to announce the latest product in these developments, e-Simplex.SelfServe Web Access Module for On Line Course Booking and Evaluating.

“It is not only large organisations that are now transferring many HR and Business functions to the web. In some ways, with fewer legacy systems and practices to hold them back, smaller businesses and schools see some element of web access as being a standard and normal part of any system they use. Our work with smaller businesses and schools provides us with clear support for this and with this in mind that we have developed e-Simplex.SelfServe Web Access providing web access for SDMS V Simplex.” David Stevens, Managing Director, SDMS Ltd.

Key Features:   e-Simplex.SelfServe provides a set of Web Access tools for the SDMS V Simplex application and is designed to enable the advertising of courses On Line with self-serve access to submit Applications to courses and complete training evaluation giving immediate feedback on the quality and relevance of the training. The Courses offered by the organisation can be posted and advertised on the company’s own website allowing non-employees to view courses and request further information. e-Simplex.SelfServe is fully integrated with Simplex and features dynamic updating. When a member of staff changes or updates information On Line, this appears immediately in the Simplex ‘back office’ and vice versa.   Benefits:   The benefits and cost savings gained by using Simplex to  record and manage employee training are increased by the extension of simplex to provide web access for staff to view training courses recorded in Simplex, apply to go on them and to complete course evaluations – all on line via a simple familiar web browser. Staff can see immediately what courses are available with dates times and course details with one click.

Jigsaw Meeting is a revolutionary On Line Virtual Classroom System with a focus on learning and development. While providing a secure and easy way for learners, instructors and tutors to meet virtually, it provides a range of tools built around how learning takes place. In this way it is not to be confused with the many on line meeting systems available today since it is designed to provide real-time interaction between all participants. And, it allows people to learn in an environment that meets their unique learning style.

David Stevens, SDMS Ltd’s Managing Director, explained the reasons for the new partnership:

“We are increasingly talking with users and prospective users who are exploring better ways to delivery training and learning.

This is very much along the lines of how do we add to the face to face training work we do – whether in classrooms and training suites or on the job in the workplace. While this has inevitably led to the increased use of e–Learning using products such as eFront as a supplement to classroom training rather than a replacement, so now the discussion is turning to the use of the virtual classroom. It is for this reason that we have decided to promote the use of Jigsaw Meeting.”

Ginger Ackerman, Jigsaw Meeting's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, sets out the commitment of Jigsaw to the new partnership with SDMS:

“We, at Jigsaw Meeting, are excited about our partnership with SDMS Ltd, because they are focused on bringing the best and latest technology to their customers and they continuously identify new tools that will help increase effectiveness and decrease costs.  Our virtual classroom resolves three (3) major challenges of online training and education.  They are knowledge retention, accountability and tracking of effectiveness.   So, no matter who is leading or participating in an educational session, the moderator is able to determine the true success of the training program.” 

Links and Further Information: 

For further information about Jigsaw Meeting or to arrange an On Line Demonstration of the system please  contact SDMS Sales and Marketing on 01952 200911 or by email: sales@sdmsltd.com or follow the links below:

Click Here for Further Information

Click Here to Visit Jigsaw Meeting Website

• Plan, set up and define classroom training courses
• Specify the skills and qualifications the course leads to
• Define course prerequisites to ensure students are qualified to make the best of the course
• Assign course organisers and providers
• Schedule the training events with dates times and venues
• Assign trainers to events
• Schedule the rooms and resources for the events
• Approve applications or nominations from students
• Upload training materials for use in the course
• Set a price to be charged for attending the course
• Record attendance and course participation
• Email course approvals and rejections
• A utilities and configuration Module

SDMS V e-Training and e-Adviser for Web and Intranet Access: Version 6

Multi-Browser Compliant

Nowadays everyone is using a different browser to access the Web or use On Line Applications. While there are a large number of browsers, the  most popular options - Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer - make up close to 98% of the internet market share for browsers. That is why we have concentrated our efforts on making sure that SDMS web systems can be used with all the main web browsers. (Web browser usage share is reported currently as follows; Internet Explorer 38.9%, Firefox 25%, Google Chrome 20.9%, Safari 8.0%)

Multi-Browser Compatibility

Here at SDMS, we are increasingly being asked whether our Web products are “browser independent” or do they run on Firefox, Chrome etc.

In our latest enhancements to Version 6; we have fully integrated the ability to access SDMS V e-Training using the browser of your choice. 

e-Training and e-Adviser: Version 6 is now cross-browser compatible for:

* Internet Explorer

* Firefox

* Google Chrome

* Safari

For More Information:

For further information about SDMS V Staff Development and e-Training: Version 6, please contact us on 01952 200911 or by email: admin@sdmsltd.com. 

Already have Version 6? Contact SDMS Support for your upgrade on 01952 200919 or by email: support@sdmsltd.com.