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Version 9 of the IG Toolkit released
The new version of the IG Toolkit was released on 6th June, and as expected, there are no changes to the requirements. As described in the Change note, which is available from the IGT website, there are some updates to the guidance.
Robin Ingram, Hytec’s Senior Information Assurance Consultant, says:
“It’s important for all organisations connected to the N3 network to ensure that their Information Governance standards are up to date and in line with the requirements for version 9 of the IG Toolkit. Although there are no changes to the requirements themselves, supporting evidence and comments that were applicable to version 8 should be reviewed for version 9, and updated where appropriate, taking into consideration any organisational and technical changes and any activities which should be on going, such as user awareness and training, document updates and risk assessment.”
Please click here for more information on our Information Governance Toolkit Gap Analysis package.
OLM Group achieves a Microsoft Gold ISV/Software Competency in the Microsoft Partner Network
OLM Group Earns Distinction through Demonstrated Technology Success and Customer Commitment
OLM Group, today announced it has achieved a Gold ISV/Software Competency in the Microsoft Partner Network, demonstrating its ability to meet Microsoft customers’ evolving needs in today’s dynamic business environment.
To earn a Microsoft Gold Competency, organizations must complete a rigorous set of tests to prove their level of technology expertise, have the right number of Microsoft Certified Professionals, submit customer references and demonstrate their commitment to customer satisfaction by participating in an annual survey.
The OLM group of companies has an integrated portfolio of solutions including:
Leaders in the care sector, OLM Group, deliver solutions which make life easier for everyone involved in social care and health:
- OLM Systems: Delivering world-class technology solutions that effectively and efficiently transform the delivery of care
- Hytec: Providing infrastructure and integration solutions that enable secure information sharing across the public sector.
- OLM Professional Services: Transformation experts focused on improving outcomes for Children and Adults
- Pavilion: Sharing best practice through the dissemination of high-quality content
“A Gold ISV/Software Competency differentiates us from the competition and establishes us as market leaders, further demonstrating our commitment to serving the needs of customers relying on Microsoft-based solutions,” said Clare Graham, Head of Operations. “We look forward to helping our customers be what's next by continuing to focus our areas of technology expertise in response to today’s business needs.”
“The Microsoft Partner Network is designed to empower solution providers to succeed in today’s business environment. By achieving the prestigious Gold competency, participating companies are provided with a rich set of benefits, including increased customer visibility through branding and accessibility, training and support,” said Jon Roskill, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corp. “We are proud to put forth a program that provides the right resources to help a company develop the expertise customers demand in today’s competitive market and also provides the community and infrastructure that can connect them to one another, lowering costs for all parties.”
The Microsoft Gold Competency signifies to the market that a company has demonstrated the highest level of skill and achievement within a given technology specialization. All 29 Microsoft competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s specific technology capabilities, helping customers find solution providers quickly and easily. Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the industry.
ISV/Software Competency
Through the Microsoft Independent Software Vendor (ISV)/Software competency, you can gain access to the latest technology, market opportunities, and sales and marketing resources that have been specifically created with ISVs in mind. From planning the development cycle to supporting your customers, you will have the tools and resources you need to build innovative solutions and bring them to market.
The Microsoft Partner Network is designed to equip organizations that deliver products and services based on the Microsoft platform with the training, resources and support they need to provide their customers a superior experience and outcomes.
OLM Group
We work closely with Local Authorities, Health Organisations and Adults and Children’s care functions.
OLM Group provides a potent blend of IT consultancy and solutions to these sectors that continually improve standards of delivery, through the efficient and secure use of IT.
The Group consists of four businesses: OLM Systems, OLM Professional Services, Pavilion and Hytec.
Headquartered in Teddington, Middlesex, OLM Group employs over 240 staff with local offices in Brighton, Cwmbran, Glasgow and Oxford.
A Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 50 winner 6 years in succession, the company has grown from a first year turnover of £70k in 1992 to a turnover of £20m in 2009.
Hytec launches new methodology for the N3 connection process
As a result of the increasing number of enquiries we are receiving around our expertise in N3 connectivity, we have devised a clear roadmap of the journey an organisation can expect to take in order to become connected to the NHS' N3 network, along with how Hytec can help at every stage of the process.
Hytec is a trusted advisor to CfH on information governance policy and our Information Assurance Team has helped many commercial organisations achieve connection to the network and handle the ongoing compliance requirements. We are ISO 27001 accredited (the international standard for Information Security Management) and have a secure facility to host N3 connections for our clients at our remote management centre in Oxford, should this be required.
Please click here to read more about our N3 methodology, or contact us to discuss your organisation's requirements.
'Doing Public Sector ICT Differently" - our new LinkedIn group for senior public sector employees
We've started this group to provide an arena for senior professionals working in public and private sector organisations to share opinion and engage in debate around how to improve ICT in the public sector.
With regular topic changes in areas such as cloud computing, efficiency and productivity in ICT, mobile working and the optimum IT solutions for citizen-centric care, we hope to spark debate and share ideas among what we hope will become a tight-knit and value-added community.
Please click here to join the group, we look forward to your contributions.
Hytec introduces "tag cloud computing"!
Government may be working with G-cloud, whilst the marketing team at Hytec are trying our own initiative by launching a tag cloud on most pages of the Hytec website; this makes navigating around much easier and faster. Just click on the words in the cloud to direct to the appropriate page.
Take our poll on how to improve multi-agency working across health and social care organisations
In light of the restructuring taking place across health organisations and social care functions of local authorities, it's becoming increasingly important to streamline processes and formulate a more cohesive approach to joined-up working.
Take our poll here and give your point of view in the comments below.
Hytec launches environment benchmark exercise and mobile working calculator
Hytec are pleased to announce that we have created two new online exercises for organisations looking to find efficiency savings, increase the productivity of their staff, streamline IT infrastructure and decrease their carbon footprint. These are centred around mobile working and green IT. They're free to complete and participants will be sent a free report outlining where and how these cost savings and productivity gains are to be made.
Please click here to find out more about our mobile working ROI calculator.
Please click here to complete our green IT fast benchmark assessment.
Webinar
Hytec's webinar held on 22nd September, 2010 discussed the material changes in version 8 of the IG Toolkit and gave delegates the chance to ask questions around the type and level of evidence required to successfully complete the toolkit, and the implications of not doing so.
Please click here to obtain the link and password to view the webinar recording.
Events
Hytec is exhibiting and / or speaking at:
Health Informatics Congress 2010, Birmingham Exhibited, April 2010 Smart Healthcare Live & SmartGov Live 2010, London Exhibited, June 2010 Socitm 2010 Conference --> Brighton, Exhibited, October 2010 E-Health Insider Live 2010 --> Birmingham NEC, Exhibited, November 8-9 2010 Public Sector Efficiency Expo Business Design Centre, Islington, London, Exhibited, March 16th 2011
Recent News
March 2011: We'll be at the Public Sector Efficiency Expo to answer all your questions
Hytec is delighted to announce that we are exhibiting at the Public Sector Efficiency Expo at the Business Design Centre, London, on 16th March. The aim of this one day event is to help the public sector procure products and services that will allow them to serve the citizen in the most efficient and effective manor. 
Hytec are pleased to showcase our range of assessments that will benefit public sector organisations by identifying areas for efficiency savings and streamlining of processes, and helping them to achieve this in line with the changes currently affecting the public sector through the deployment of our solutions and managed services .
We look forward to welcoming you to Hytec on Stand 65 and explaining to you how we can make your organisation more efficient.
June 2010: Hytec celebrates 30 years supporting health and local government
Starting in 1980, as a supplier of mainframe protocols and communications solutions, Hytec specialised in information security and secure connectivity before expanding its solution portfolio with complementary skills in systems integration, mobile applications and infrastructure management.
Now part of OLM Group, the company supports major health and local authority accounts through a range of professional services, custom integrated solutions and managed services, including a Remote Management Centre (RMC), equipped with advanced systems for secure hosting, network management and user support.
To celebrate its anniversary, Hytec is investing in a 12-month information sharing programme with customers and prospects. The programme will focus on sharing expertise and best-practice models through a variety of media, including a blog, workshops, e-bulletins, technical webinars, executive briefings, case studies and white papers.
Read more ....
June 2010: See us at Smart Healthcare Live
Please visit us on Stand J21
On June 15th and 16th, we'll be exhibiting at Smart Healthcare Live at the ExCel Centre, in the heart of London's docklands.
As well as showcasing InfraShare, we'll be discussing systems integration and flexible working solutions for secure information sharing across both clinical and administrative systems in health and social care.
If you're not able to attend the exhibition, but would like to understand how Hytec's healthcare solutions can help trusts achieve their new objectives in the post-election era, please call us on 01865 887 428 or email us here >>>>
May 2010: Hytec announce InfraShare™
Our stand at the Health Informatics Congress in Birmingham was inundated with enquiries about InfraShare™, Hytec's new infrastructure solution for health trusts.
InfraShare is provided as an IG SoC-compliant N3 network connecting a PCT and its population of GP practices, and allowing the trust to provide remote management and support services to branch offices or GP surgeries . The core InfraShare system can also be enhanced with strong authentication and EAL4 firewalls to provide GPs with remote access and to protect patient identifiable data, both within the GP practice and in transit. Where full virtualisation and network management is required, InfraShare is also available as an enterprise-level solution
Health trusts are striving to deliver cost-effective, joined-up services that support the NHS’s aim of providing people-centred healthcare. To do this, they need ICT platforms that support information sharing and healthcare innovation.
Recognising that effective ICT solutions can only be built on secure, stable and scalable platforms, Hytec's InfraShare approach allows trusts to share patient data and trust information securely by creating an N3-based network that:
- is consistent with the NHS Infrastructure Maturity Model (NIMM)
- is compliant with CfH Information Governance standards;
- provides a platform for centralised remote ICT support, which reduces the need for on-site visits by IM&T support engineers;
- enables remote deployment of antivirus, security patches and software updates;
- provides secure and authenticated remote access to GPs so they may review clinical data held within the surgery or central trust systems
- and, serves as a bedrock for secure delivery of further information sharing, mobile working, clinical or administration systems.
During the show we also announced the Infrastructure Review Service, a new consultancy service that assesses the security, stability, scalability and compliance of a trust's ICT network. The service checks that the network conforms to best practice, whilst benchmarking it against both NIMM and the CfH IG SoC Toolkit.
To understand how Hytec's information sharing solutions can help health trusts achieve their strategic objectives, please call us on 01865 887 428 or email us here >>>>
April 2010: See us at Health Informatics
Please visit us on Stand 175, Hall 3
On April 27th to 29th, we'll be exhibiting at the Health Informatics Congress in the Birmingham ICC. Why not visit Stand 175 and meet our team? We can discuss ICT and clinical information sharing solutions in areas such as:
- N3 connectivity
- CfH IG Soc and information assurance
- systems integration and data sharing
- mobilisation and flexible working
- secure infrastructures and NIMM (the NHS Infrastructure Maturity Model)
If you are not able to attend the exhibition, but would like to understand how Hytec's information sharing solutions can help health trusts achieve their strategic objectives, please call us on 01865 887 428 or email us here >>>>
March 2010: Sharing Information
Hytec has launched a new e-Bulletin for healthcare executives and the management of IM&T in Health Trusts.
Based on the premise that effective ICT can only be delivered on secure, stable and scalable platforms, 'Sharing Information', discusses different aspects of the NHS Information Sharing Agenda and how ICT can enable service transformation and productivity and cost improvements.
'Sharing Information' will profile NHS organisations that have introduced new technologies and information sharing initiatives and will aim to help a Trust understand how it is positioned on the NIMM, the NHS Infrastructure Maturity Model, and IGSoC, the Information Governance Statement of Compliance.
To receive 'Sharing Information', please leave your Name, NHS Trust and email details here >>>>
February 2010: Hytec bolsters health team
Keith Eyles and Tim Henstock have joined Hytec's health team to extend account coverage across the UK and help more healthcare professionals derive the benefits of service transformation and the Information Sharing Agenda.
In recent months, we have been involved in a number of early adopter projects to help Trusts improve efficiency and the quality of patient care through solutions involving enhanced security, systems integration, mobilisation and connectivity. The new personnel will boost an already thriving business by enabling us to engage with more Trusts.
Commenting on the appointments, David Bryant, Hytec’s Managing Director, said: “We work with health trusts to create IT infrastructures that support good information governance, information sharing and flexible working. Healthcare professionals need to be confident that patient identifiable data is protected and that clinical applications are accessed through secure, stable and scalable platforms.
The new appointments demonstrate our committment to the healthcare market. Keith and Tim's presence will enable us to reach more trusts and, in turn, they will help create solutions that support clinical staff and PCT professionals in their day-to-day work.”
February 2010: Integration & security enhancements to mobile system
As more and more organisations realise the benefits of workforce mobilisation, Hytec announces version 2.8 of its mobile applications toolset, Integral mForms®.
The new product focuses on integration and security; two key components of mobile working in the public sector. Now, through its message-based integration middleware, the tool can create new applications that integrate business critical information, sourced from multiple back-office systems, and deliver it to a mobile worker in the field.
Colin Judd, sales director of InterNETalia Limited, commented: “We have found significant advances in the ease of use of the development tools, and the working experience of the users of the mobile applications, through the implementation of mForms® 2.8."
Integral mForms® is already well established as a rapid application development (RAD) tool for mobile applications, with 283 user organisations and over 9,000 individuals accessing central systems, inputting and reviewing data from handheld devices such as tablet PCs, PDAs or BlackBerry smartphones.
January 2010: Leaders in delivering the eCare framework
The eCare programme is designed to deliver better care and protection of citizens through data sharing across organisational and professional boundaries. During 2008, Hytec's Systems Integration team implemented the eCare Integration module, which interfaces with the national Scottish eCare Messaging Framework, at two customer sites in North Ayrshire and Western Isles.
At each Authority, the module is now used to share child protection information, both automatically and electronically. Within the first three months of use, it identified safeguarding potential on 59 children in North Ayrshire alone. After evaluating the early sites, a roll-out program was established to manage connections to the eCare framework. Angus Council went live in October 2009, sharing Child Protection information and Aberdeenshire will go live early in 2010; they will be the first local authority to share assessments via eCare.
Angus Council’s review of the implementation identified eCare as “an excellent example of information technology supporting good practice. It has met the original objective to ensure practitioners have access to the right information and there needs to be an evaluation of the benefits afforded from this work”.
Hytec was the first, and still is the only social care supplier to have delivered this functionality to customers in Scotland. We are working with Highland Council to develop the eCare module to support the GIRFEC agenda – a multi-agency and care planning process that, once fully developed, will be rolled out nationally.
December 2009: Enabling N3 Connection
The DoH recently released its 5-year plan to reshape the NHS. Outlining practical measures to meet the demands of an aging population and the increased prevalence of lifestyle diseases, the plan focuses on care delivery around patients whether at home, in a community setting or in hospital.
Delivering this vision requires Local Authority care teams to access healthcare records and share information with colleagues in community health. Information sharing with the NHS requires Authorities to connect through N3, the national broadband network that links all NHS locations and 1.3 million employees across England.
Connections to N3 are strictly controlled by the Connecting for Health (CfH) Information Governance team which specifies adherence to strict security requirements and and data protocols.
Commercial organisations wishing to provide NHS customers with access to their healthcare applications are also required to deliver their service through N3. Companies wishing to enter this market may be looking to partner with an organisation (such as Hytec), experienced in hosting secure N3 connections.
Having worked closely with NHS Connecting for Health (CfH) for many years, we've developed a range of N3 services that support our various customers' needs. Hytec's portfolio includes N3 consultancy services to ‘get you started’ and N3 managed services to ‘keep you going’:
Getting you started
- N3 consultancy
- Gap Analysis workshop
- Network design
- N3 compliance audit
Keeping you going
- Hosted N3 connection
- Remote management of N3 connection
To find out how we've helped customers - both Local Authorities and commercial organisations - achieve and maintain their N3 connection, or to receive a datasheet on our N3 Connection Services, please call us on 01865 887 428 or send an enquiry now.
November 2009: Hytec creates a buzz at E-Health Insider Live
Visitors to E-Health Insider Live (at Birmingham's ICC on November 9th and 10th), were able to meet Hytec's team and discuss information sharing across disparate applications at London's first polyclinic.
The Proof-of-Concept project, delivered at NHS Redbridge, generated lots of interest, as did GPsecure™, our PCT solution for protecting patient identifiable data in GP practices. Other topics that generated interest amongst the E-Health Insider community were healthcare applications through PDAs or BleckBerry® smartphones and managed services for N3 connectivity.
For a case study on the NHS Redbridge project, or for details of how Hytec can enable information sharing between Health and Social Care or our solutions for NHS Trusts, please call us or send an enquiry now.
November 2009: Hytec launches blog to discuss NHS IT security
We have just announced a new blog to discuss information security within the NHS Connecting for Health programme and the N3 network.
With almost 30 years experience in supplying the NHS, and as a partner in many major programmes, our team are ideally positioned to discuss information governance and information security within the NHS, and sharing information betrween community health and social care teams.
To view latest NHS CfH news, legislation, case studies or Hytec discussion topics, you may visit the blog here.
October 2009: Hytec exhibits at Socitm09
Once again Hytec had a prominent presence at Socitm's annual conference, this year in Edinburgh, where information sharing and flexible working were highlighted as key enablers for the government's transformation agenda.
We've been an active member of Socitm (The Society of IT Managers) for many years, regularly exhibit at Socitm national conferences and sponsor Branch meetings.
To enquire about Hytec's Local Authority solutions for the transformation agenda - flexible working through mobile technology, information sharing or connectivity with secure networks - please call us or send an enquiry.
September 2009: Low-cost Starter Pack for mobile application pilots
To help organisations assess the value of mobile working with Windows PDA, BlackBerry®, tablet PC or laptop devices, Hytec is announcing a low-cost Starter Pack that comprises all the software, licences, training and support required for an initial 10-user pilot project. Read about the low-cost Starter Pack for mobile application pilots ....
Click here for information on Hytec's mobile applications development
July 2009: Implementing ContactPoint
Hytec speakers recently presented to managers of Children’s Services and local authority project managers at OLM seminars in Leeds and London.
Focused on creating an infrastructure environment for successful ContactPoint implementation, Hytec consultants addressed issues such as data cleansing, installing the ContactPoint enablement module, integrating ContactPoint with CareFirst and other case management systems, the concept of a local integration hub and LARA, the Local Authority Readiness Assessment for ContactPoint.
For further information on Hytec services for ContactPoint, please call us on 0186 887 428.
June 2009: Hytec announces protection for GP surgeries
Hytec announces the availability of GPsecure™, a new solution to secure NHS N3 network connections between GP surgeries and their primary care trusts (PCTs).
GPsecure™ will help PCTs meet NHS Connecting for Health guidelines to ensure that GP surgeries within their trusts are electronically secure. While N3 is a private network, the integrity of its data depends on its users having secure connections. “Information security within primary care is something that the general public cares deeply about,” said Alan Hunt, Hytec’s Director of Information Security.
Read more ....
June 2009: Hytec becomes infrastructure arm of OLM Group
Hytec announces its new role as the infrastructure products and services arm of OLM Group.
The restructuring integrates the teams from Hytec Information Security Limited with OLM’s mobile data team (previously known as Integral Mobile Data) and OLM’s systems integration and technical services functions.
Read more ....
May 2009: Hytec achieves Gold standard
Hytec becomes a Gold Partner - the highest level of Microsoft’s accreditation.
Having implemented IT solutions on behalf of local government and health customers since 1980, we have been recognised by Microsoft as a Gold Certified Partner.
Gold Certified Partners are elite service organisations who have earned the highest customer endorsements. They have the knowledge, skills, and commitment to implement technology solutions matching customers’ exact business needs.
Read more ....
April 2009: OLM Systems announces CareMobile WAC
Developed by Hytec’s mobile data team, OLM Systems have used their ‘Next Steps’ conference to announce the availability of a new enhancement to the CareFirst portfolio of solutions for social care. CareMobile WAC, or to use its full name - CareMobile Worker Assistant Component, is a powerful remote working application which allows social workers to retrieve up-to-date information from CareFirst onto a PDA, without any need to physically connect to the office network.
Read more ....
January 2009: Appointment strengthens mobile data team
Industry 'heavyweight' David Lancaster joins Hytec as Product Integration Manager.
Taking operational responsibility for mobile applications development on behalf of customers, and for the delivery of Hytec's mobile product strategy, David will be based from Hytec's Cwmbran office.
Read more ....
October 2008: GCSx services prove popular with Socitm attendees
Exhibiting at the annual Socitm Conference at the plush Celtic Manor resort in Newport, Gwent, the Hytec stand was bustling for two days as delegates showed their interest in Hytec's services to enable GCSx Codes of Connection.
Read more ....
April 2008: OLM Group secures a controlling stake in Hytec
OLM Group, the UK's largest independent supplier of information solutions for children's and adult care services, has invested in Hytec Information Security Ltd to procure a controlling stake. Through providing access to a broader and more enhanced level of resources, this collaboration aims to provide further support to enhance Hytec’s sales and marketing capabilities and OLM’s ability to meet customer needs in the area of information security and infrastructure management.
Read more ....
February 2008: Penetration Testing Comes of Age
Hytec becomes one of the first security specialists to be instrumental in the creation of TigerScheme. TigerScheme is a new training and certification scheme for penetration testers, run by an independent management committee consisting of representatives from the Private and Public sector. Hytec is also a member of this management committee.
Read more ....