Hicom Technology Ltd

Accent

HR management, training and education system supporting the multi-professional workforce. Accent is a comprehensive suite of fully-integrated facilities enabling the HR team to manage every aspect of the workforce; from setting up establishments, managing recruitment and rotations within programmes, to the on-going monitoring and assessment of career performance.

Features

  • Curricular, programmes and post management including approvals and funding
  • Management of rotations and placements
  • Assessments and appraisal planning and results recording
  • Courses and exam management
  • Administration of leave, courses and assessment events Supporting revalidation activities
  • Integrated document management
  • Quality management
  • HR administration including links to the NHS ESR (optional)

Benefits

  • Reduction in administrative overhead
  • Data collected at source leading to improved data quality
  • Improved business efficiency through process automation
  • Improved communications between HR team and the workforce
  • Improved access to data for management and performance reporting
  • ISO9001 and ISO27001 accredited

Pricing

£15 a user a year

Service documents

Framework

G-Cloud 12

Service ID

1 9 9 5 5 2 9 0 2 5 7 0 3 9 3

Contact

Hicom Technology Ltd John Sanderson
Telephone: 01483 794945
Email: john.sanderson@hicom.co.uk

Service scope

Software add-on or extension
No
Cloud deployment model
Public cloud
Service constraints
Access to our help desk is limited to the service hours defined within this document, although the core service hours can be extended on request (at an additional charge).

Hicom will notify the client of any planned service disruption or downtime, although we reserve the right to temporarily restrict access to the service outside of normal Service Hours without notice to undertake system upgrades or maintenance.
System requirements
Provision of industry standard browsers for each PC

User support

Email or online ticketing support
Email or online ticketing
Support response times
Hicom guarantee to respond to all support calls within eight working hours from the time of receipt of the call. Response to critical problem will be within two working hours from the time of the call.
User can manage status and priority of support tickets
No
Phone support
Yes
Phone support availability
9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
Web chat support
No
Onsite support
Yes, at extra cost
Support levels
- First-line support: Basic level user and technical support. Also used to gather information and analyze a problem

- Second-line support: In depth technical support used to troubleshoot and solve problems

- Third-line support: Expert support for complex issues. Also used to support first and second line support

All levels of support are provided through payment of the standard support and maintenance charge.

A technical Account Manager is provided.
Support available to third parties
No

Onboarding and offboarding

Getting started
Training is delivered in accordance with the needs of each organisation. We will develop individual, tailored training courses specific to the needs of the individuals being trained.

Training can be delivered using a variety of different methods including cascade (train-the-trainer) training, classroom-style demonstrations, focus groups, workshops, online webinars and video tutorials.
Service documentation
Yes
Documentation formats
  • HTML
  • PDF
End-of-contract data extraction
Data is extracted by Hicom on request in a format dependent on future needs.
End-of-contract process
The following activities can take place at the end of the contract:

- Analysis and design: We would be keen to either provide the replacement system, or provide consultancy around the nature of the requirement. This would include comprehensive legacy analysis of the existing system to inform the requirements of the next (additional cost)
- Configuration and change management: Any change requests or defect reports will be passed to the developers of the subsequent system (additional cost)
- Data will be provided as IFF (included)

- Operations and support: The final release will still be supported until it is finally removed as long as this stage is still within contract(included)

- Transition consultancy: General consultancy is offered to enable the move to the replacement system. This may include consultancy around data migration and, specifically, around the data schema (additional cost)

Using the service

Web browser interface
Yes
Supported browsers
  • Internet Explorer 10
  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari 9+
  • Opera
Application to install
No
Designed for use on mobile devices
Yes
Differences between the mobile and desktop service
No major difference. Some small difference in how screens are rendered.
Service interface
Yes
Description of service interface
Accent is based on micro services architectures based on a multi tenancy system. Application is written based on ASP.NET MVC and REST services.
Interface engine for Ascent is mixed of Identity server (SSO using Oauth2/OpenID Connect), REST, SOAP, PowerBi, SendGrid, and multiple payment gateways.
Accessibility standards
None or don’t know
Description of accessibility
We are aware of the WCAG standards and incorporate them wherever possible into the design of all of our software. We do our utmost to ensure that content is accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities as well as making our web content more usable to users in general.
Accessibility testing
Our experience of interface testing with users of assistive technology is limited. However, we are aware that WCAG 2.0 success criteria are written as testable statements and are seeking to integrate this into our testing procedures, currently internally.
API
Yes
What users can and can't do using the API
The Accent ESR API is a bi-directional interface between Accent and Trust based ESR systems.

A link between an Accent Post and an ESR Position is established with the ESR instance. Position data is passed to Accent in a daily extract.

On receipt, Accent will carry out the following actions:

- Discrepancies between Accent and ESR data are used to update Accent data. This is configurable on a field by field basis, and can be automatic, or subject to administrator review.
- Received Positions are added to a watch list of Posts for which changes are reported back to ESR.

The ESR Interface will daily create two exports to ESR:

- Applicant Export – 3 months before a trainee begins a Placement, details will be sent to ESR.
- Notification Export – Changes to a Placement following inclusion in the Applicant Export are detailed in a separate export to ESR.

The import/export functionality allows updates to be synchronised between Accent and ESR, taking advantage of up-to-date data entered on either system.

The interface is designed to run with minimal user interaction. The degree of maintenance required is dependent on the level of oversight the administrator requires for updates from ESR.
API documentation
No
API sandbox or test environment
Yes
Customisation available
Yes
Description of customisation
Users have limited ability to customise the service. This includes menu items, data entry templates, document templates and, to a limited extent, the look and feel of the interface. This ability is limited to those users who have appropriate role based access controls.

Scaling

Independence of resources
All environments utilise separate physical hardware and all networks are segregated using VLAN's, all network perimeters (internal and external) are secured with network firewalls, all servers utilise software firewalls, all environments utilise separate authentication, all hardware has a redundant layer and tolerates multiple levels of failure.

Analytics

Service usage metrics
Yes
Metrics types
The following service usage metrics can be provided on request:

- Core user actions: Are users consistently using predefined core user actions?

- Activity time: The number of times a user visits a service and the elapsed time they spend

- Visit frequency: How often does a user return to a service
Reporting types
Reports on request

Resellers

Supplier type
Not a reseller

Staff security

Staff security clearance
Conforms to BS7858:2012
Government security clearance
Up to Developed Vetting (DV)

Asset protection

Knowledge of data storage and processing locations
Yes
Data storage and processing locations
United Kingdom
User control over data storage and processing locations
No
Datacentre security standards
Supplier-defined controls
Penetration testing frequency
At least once a year
Penetration testing approach
‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
Protecting data at rest
  • Encryption of all physical media
  • Other
Other data at rest protection approach
All customer data is encrypted at rest using Micrsoft SQL Server encryption, all storage/physcial media is encrypted using FIPS level encryption.
Data sanitisation process
Yes
Data sanitisation type
  • Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation
  • Deleted data can’t be directly accessed
Equipment disposal approach
Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v.30, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001

Data importing and exporting

Data export approach
Data can be exported either by using pre-formatted, customisable audit reports or by creating their own reports via MS SQL server report builder using pre-defined templates.
Data export formats
  • CSV
  • ODF
  • Other
Data import formats
  • CSV
  • ODF

Data-in-transit protection

Data protection between buyer and supplier networks
  • Private network or public sector network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Other
Other protection between networks
Access is via the public internet or the Health & Social Care Network dependent upon the application. All access is encrypted using SSL/TLS/IPSEC VPN, certificates utilise the latest standards.
Data protection within supplier network
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
  • Other
Other protection within supplier network
All environments utilise separate physical hardware and all networks are segregated using VLAN's, all network perimeters (internal and external) are secured with network firewalls, all servers utilise software firewalls, all environments utilise separate authentication, there are multiple layers of physical security - secured electronic perimeter gates, biometric locks on external and internal doors, 24 hour monitored CCTV, 24 hour security patrols, the Hicom data centre within the main building is secured with biometric locks and IP cameras.

Availability and resilience

Guaranteed availability
Hicom will endeavour to make the service available without disruption during Service Hours; however allowances should be made within this period for essential service downtime to enable critical software upgrades and system maintenance to be carried out.

Hicom provides all clients with an SLA (service level availabilty) that guarentees the availability of the service. The SLA generally guarentees availability of 99.5% during business hours however this is agreed with the client to meet their particular requirements.
Approach to resilience
All physical hardware within the Hicom data centre is redundant, this includes all servers, switches, firewalls, power, cooling, cabling, connectivity etc. There is a replication based disaster recovery solution in place, in the event of "disaster" occuring the systems can be restored to a fully operational state within 2 hours.
Outage reporting
All outages are reported via email alerts.

Identity and authentication

User authentication needed
Yes
User authentication
  • Limited access network (for example PSN)
  • Username or password
Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels
All access to the system, including management interfaces, is provided by Role Based Access Control dependent on successful entering of a username and password. Where possible access control lists are used to restrict access by IP address.

Access to online support is similarly managed by Role Based Access Control, whilst those accessing telephone support may be asked to prove their identity if required. Where possible access control lists are used to restrict access by IP address.
Access restriction testing frequency
At least every 6 months
Management access authentication
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Other
Description of management access authentication
All management and support access requires separate credentials which are restricted to key personnel, access is secured with network firewalls at each network perimeter and software firewalls on all servers, rights are provided on a "minimum level of rights to complete the task" basis and access is reviewed and revoked when no longer required.

Audit information for users

Access to user activity audit information
Users have access to real-time audit information
How long user audit data is stored for
User-defined
Access to supplier activity audit information
Users contact the support team to get audit information
How long supplier audit data is stored for
User-defined
How long system logs are stored for
User-defined

Standards and certifications

ISO/IEC 27001 certification
Yes
Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001
BSI
ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date
16/06/2015
What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover
We believe this covers all of our activities.
ISO 28000:2007 certification
No
CSA STAR certification
No
PCI certification
No
Other security certifications
Yes
Any other security certifications
  • Cyber Essentials
  • Compliance with DSPT

Security governance

Named board-level person responsible for service security
Yes
Security governance certified
Yes
Security governance standards
ISO/IEC 27001
Information security policies and processes
We are ISO 27001 accredited and, as such, our information security policies and processes are guided by this. This, therefore dictates the following:
• Information security policies
• Organization of information security
• Human resource security
• Asset management
• Access control
• Cryptography
• Physical and environmental security
• Operations security
• Communications security
• System acquisition, development and maintenance
• Supplier relationships
• Information security incident management
• Information security aspects of business continuity management
• Compliance; with internal policies, and with external requirements, such as laws Hicom is also registered with the Information Commissioner Office and adhere to the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR. We have and continue to take steps to ensure we remain compliant with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Hicom also hold certification for our Information Security Management System (ISMS) under ISO27001 and manage our confidential data policy and responsibility through our ISMS. Hicom are also registered under the Data Security and Protection Toolkit for NHS digital and measure and publish our performance against the National Guardian’s ten data security standards. ISO 27001 compliance is managed by our Quality and Information Security Officer Elaine Smart who reports directly into our Board.

Operational security

Configuration and change management standard
Supplier-defined controls
Configuration and change management approach
All changes related to the product specification (configuration) are either captured by the Project Manager if the system is still being implemented, or by our support department or the clinical account manager if the system has already been implemented. These are then tasked as Requests for Change and prioritised for implementation

Changes in the project processes or baseline (time, money etc.) are dealt with via the Project Manager and, if necessary the relevant Hicom Product Manager. If a change is identified, all affected project parameters will be assessed, analyzed for impact and acted upon.
Vulnerability management type
Supplier-defined controls
Vulnerability management approach
Hicom subscribes to/utilises multiple vulnerability alert/information services including - MS-ISAC, NCSC, CIS, Symantec, Microsoft, OWASP, the information provided is reviewed and corrective action taken to correct/mitigate any issues. Monthly vulnerability scans are carried using multiple tools to test for vulnerabilities internally and externally, the results and action are recorded and reviewed as part of the organisations security management.
Protective monitoring type
Supplier-defined controls
Protective monitoring approach
Hicom utilise an SIEM (Security Information and Event Management Solution) for protective monitoring, the product currently in use is Splunk however this is subject to change as new products enter the market. The SIEM solution monitors and analyses the logs from web servers and other key systems.
Incident management type
Supplier-defined controls
Incident management approach
Our approach to incident management is informed by ITIL. As such it is made up of the following components:
- Incident detection and recording
- Classification and initial support
- Investigation and diagnosis
- Resolution and recovery
- Incident closure
- Ownership, monitoring, tracking and communication
Users report incidents through the support service defined in our standard SLA and incident reports are provided via the relevant Product Specialists.

Secure development

Approach to secure software development best practice
Supplier-defined process

Public sector networks

Connection to public sector networks
No

Pricing

Price
£15 a user a year
Discount for educational organisations
No
Free trial available
No

Service documents