Hi Folks

Just to let you know that the Provider Funding Report (PFR) functionality within the Online Data Collection system is now back online, following a fix to the issue with the Adult Skills Budget funding calculation. Providers can now request PFRs.

As announced today, we are aware of the current issue with the calculation of Adult Learner Responsive funding in LIS Reports and are currently working to fix this. This problem is restricted to LIS 19.02 funding calculation only; it does not affect funding calculations in OLDC.

In order for the Data Service to address any issues you may have with any of our systems please can you log any concerns with our Service Desk on 0870 2670001 in the first instance.

regards

Fazia

The Online Data Collection (OLDC) system will be going offline from 6pm on 06 December in order for the processing of R04 ILR files. OLDC will be back online on Monday 12 December.

The Data Service would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Good Afternoon Folks

The Learner Information Suite (LIS) V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (19.01.65) has been published and this is now available to download from the Data Service website. Users are asked to read the LIS V19.01 release guide and the known issues document V.19 before using the LIS V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (19.01.65), which outlines the functionality available, known limitations and any key known bugs/defects.

Working with the information authority, the Data Service has produced a ‘How to’guide to sending ILR data for 2011/12. This guide has been produced in response to the issues raised by providers with both the Data Service and the information authority in understanding how to use the data collection systems and how to send data for 2011/12. This guide is available to download from both the information authority and the Data Service websites. 

A quick reminder: The Data Service will process all ILR files for R04 received before 6pm on 06 December, however it is advised that providers should try and send their ILR files early so that if any errors are generated, we have sufficient time to assist you with rectifying these and ensuring your file is then processed error free.

Have a good evening.

Fazia

Following the recent news item, due to a technical glitch, the Learner Information Suite V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (V19.01.61) was taken offline on Friday 18 November. 

The Data Service is currently working to rectify the error, which focuses on a ‘query’ that the Funding Claim report uses. The Data Service would like to assure providers that:

• this will not affect what providers will be paid
• this will fix the known issues for Apprenticeships and Large Employers in OLDC and payments
• the current LIS V19.01 is adequate for the R04 ILR return due on 06 December 2011.

We hope to have an updated version of the Learner Information Suite V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 published later this week. Once again we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused.

The Provider Data Self-assessment Toolkit (PDSAT) for funding year 2011/12 – Series 12 (Phase 1) has been published on the Data Service website. Further details on this release and the known issue are also available on the Data Service website. For any queries on PDSAT please email: DSATHelpDesk@kpmg.co.uk.

Due to a technical glitch, the Learner Information Suite V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (V19.01.61) has been taken offline today. The Data Service would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused and is aiming to release an amended version later in the day.

Morning Folks

As we are fast approaching the end of year final ILR return deadline for 2010/11 as well as the first 2011/12 ILR return for which  all providers (including colleges) need to send data for ALL of their learners we would like to remind providers:

• the deadline for the 2010/11 final Learner Responsive ILR return (LR05) is 21 November 2011.This date is also a ‘hard close’, so no further returns will be accepted after 6.00pm on 21 November 2011
• the 2011/12 R04 ILR return is due in on 06 December 2011, the Data Service would like to advise providers to get their R04 ILR return in as early as possible to ensure that it is validated and processed in time. Further details can be found on the Data Service website.

The Data Service has also published the LIS V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (19.01.61). Details of changes to this release and how to download the LIS V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (19.01.61) can be found on the Data Service website.

The Data Service is also planning to release a second maintenance release for OLDC towards the end of next week. Further details on this will be published on the Data Service website in due course.

Enjoy your weekend.

Fazia

The Data Service is experiencing a number of providers attempting to submit files for the R03 return with transmission number 0001. 

We would like to remind providers that the single ILR is an all year collection so one series of transmission numbers applies for the whole data year, therefore providers must increment the transmission number from the last file that is sent, otherwise the transmission will be rejected. 

 When using the Learner Information Suite (LIS) the transmission number must be set on the Export page otherwise you will output a file with transmission number 0001.

Good Morning Folks

2010/11 coming to a close:

The deadline for the final 2010/11 Employer Responsive ILR return (ER13) is 11 November 2011 and the deadline for the final Learner Responsive ILR return (LR05) is 21 November 2011. These dates are  a ‘hard close’, so no further returns will be accepted after 6.00pm on the stated dates.

2011/12 – the way forward!

Providers are reminded that the  return date for the 2011/12 R03 ILR return is fast approaching and must submit their ILR file by 6.00pm on 04 November 2011. The R03 is the first return for 2011/12 that the Skills Funding Agency will be paying on actuals.

The Online Data Collections (OLDC)  maintenance release went live on 26 October, details of enhanced functionality are available from the Data Service website.   Provider Funding Reports (PFRs) for 2010/11 and 2011/12 are now available to request through the appropriate link in OLDC.

The Learner Information Suite (LIS)v19.01 maintenance release also went live on 20 September. It is important that ALL providers start to use the new data collection systems for 2011/12 as soon as possible to enable you to resolve any problems with the data collection systems and to ensure that your ILR files are error free in good time before the return dates for R03 (04 November)  and R04 (06 December).

Providers are also reminded that when transmitting ILR data for 2011/12, they should take care to ensure that the transmission type of the file (either A or B) is correct. The information authority has published guidance on A and B file transmission which can be found on page 12 and 13 of the 2011/12 ILR Specification. Frequently asked questions on file transmission for 2011/12 have also been published that are also available on the information authority website.

Finally, for 2011/12, those learning providers who have had learners transfer to them from a sub contractor due to changes in the Minimum Contract Level will need to use the 2011/12 Learner Reference Number change process to inform the Data Service of the Learner Reference Numbers for such learners that have been transferred to you, regardless of whether the Learner Reference Number for these learners has changed. The deadline for informing the Data Service was 12 October 2011 and a number of providers have yet to do this, therefore a reminder email will  be sent out this week to those providers who have not yet informed the Data Service .

Have a good week!

The Data Service released the 2011/12 Online Data Collection system on 27 September.  As part of this release, the option to request a Provider Funding Report (PFR) has been disabled. This means if you have requested a PFR, it will not be generated.

Provider Funding Reports for 2011/12 will be made available in November 2011. The Data Service would like to apologise for any inconvenience.

 If you have any queries please call the Service Desk on 0870 2670001 or email servicedesk@thedataservice.org.uk

The Data Service has released the 2011/12 Online Data Collections (OLDC) system today. This means that providers can now start to submit their ILR data for 2011/12.

The Data Service would like to remind providers that they will need to submit their ILR data for the R02 return. The return date for R02 is 06 October 2011. With changes to the data collection systems, providers are encouraged to start using the new systems to check, validate and submit their R02 return to ensure they do not encounter any problems when preparing to submit their ILR data for the R03 return.