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.

The Data Service has published the first full release of the Learner Information Suite (LIS) V19.01 . This is now available to download from the Data Service website.

The LIS V19.01 will convert flat files to XML format, and amalgamate any combination of ILR files.

Users are asked to read the LIS V19.01 release guide and the known issues document before using the LIS, which outlines the functionality available, known limitations as well as highlighting the elements of this release that have been tested and any key known bugs/defects.

 Providers are asked to use LIS V19.01 to check, validate and submit their 2011/12 ILR data for the R02 return. The return date for the R02 is 06 October 2011.

To raise any issues you may encounter with the LIS V19.01 please contact the Service Desk on 0870 267 0001 or email: servicedesk@thedataservice.org.uk

Hi Folks

The Data Service has launched the 2011/12 Learner Reference Number (previously L03) change process to enable providers to report any changes to Learner Reference Numbers.

Further details on the process and the  2011/12 mapping form and guidance on how to complete the form can be downloaded from the Data Service website.

The Data Service has published the latest beta version of the Learner Information Suite (LIS) V19.01.

Due to issues around the amalgamation functionality of the LIS it has been decided to release a further beta version. This version will be the first beta which provides significant amalgamation functionality. This beta is available to download from the LIS V19.01 beta page on the Data Service website.

Users are asked to read the LIS V19.01 beta V1.08 release guide before using this beta, which outlines the functionality available, known limitations as well as highlighting the elements of this release that have been tested and any key known bugs/defects.

To raise any issues/defects you may encounter with the LIS V19.01 beta V1.08, users should:

• Read the published ‘defect logging guidance’ on how to submit any issues/defects
• Email any issues/defects with the LIS V19.01 beta V1.08 to: lis19betaqueries@thedataservice.org.uk

Due to our current focus on resolving issues with LIS V19.01, the support that we are able to offer is very limited and we may not respond to specific issues/queries raised.

Providers are asked to continue to plan to submit their R02 ILR return and use the latest LIS V19.01 beta version to check and validate their 2011/12 data to ensure it is valid prior to the R02 return date of 06 October 2011.

If you have any further queries regarding LIS please contact the Service Desk on 0870 2670001 or email: servicedesk@thedataservice.org.uk

The Data Service is currently working on the final development of the Learner Information Suite (LIS) V19.01.  A considerable amount of technical development is required to accommodate the move to a single ILR, convert flat files to XML format, and amalgamate any combination of ILR files.

This has resulted in a significant increase in the amount of development and testing required. To ensure we deliver a robust system that is fit for purpose and assists providers to meet the requirements of a single ILR, the Data Service has made the decision to delay the rollout of LIS V19.01, originally planned to go live on 11 August.  The Data Service is currently working with its technical supplier to determine a definitive go-live date and will publish this shortly. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Good Morning All

The Data Service has today published a news item on its website to update the sector on the availability of the Online Data Collection (OLDC) system for 2011/12 and the contingency payment arrangements that the Skills Funding Agency have put in place to accommodate the late delivery of OLDC.

This year has seen major changes to the way in which data is captured and sent to the Data Service. This has resulted in a significant increase in the amount of development and testing. To ensure we deliver a robust system that is fit for purpose, the Data Service jointly with the Skills Funding Agency has made the decision to delay the rollout of the 2011/12 OLDC system originally planned to go live on 22 August.  The Data Service will announce a new go live date for OLDC in the coming weeks.

The impact of this means that the Agency will not make a payment in the usual way for those providers usually paid on actual for the 19+ Adult Skills Budget , 16-18 Apprenticeships, Joint Investment Programme (JIP) and ESF for the first ILR return (R01) of the 2011/12 contract year (September payment for August activity). It may be that R02 will also be paid on profile.

Further details can be found on the Data Service website.

Regards

Fazia

The Data Service will be publishing LIS V.19.01 beta V1.07 later today.

This release will contain bug fixes and enhancements to the amalgamation process. LIS V19.01 Beta V1.07 and supporting documents for this release, including how to report defects,  will be available to download from the Data Service website at the following location:

http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/Services/DataCollection/software/lis/lis_19_01_Beta.htm

The Data Service aim to deliver a robust LIS V19.01 that is fit for purpose and are currently addressing technical issues identified in the beta testing.

The Data Service are hoping to confirm a live date next week for LIS V19.01

To assist learning providers with the move to a single ILR and the changes to the data collection systems for 2011/12, the information authority and the Data Service will be running webinar based training sessions in the w/c 15 August.

The aim of these webinar sessions is to allow learning providers to access such training at a location and time that suits. The webinar sessions will be approximately one hour in duration and will cover the following:

• moving to a single ILR and ILR Changes for 2011/12
• LIS V19.01 –  how to convert a 2011/12  flat file format ILR to a single ILR file in XML format as well as merge two or more files in  either format into one single ILR file in XML format, how to validate both single ILR file in XML format and flat format ILR files, how to handle LIS error reports
• From LAD to LARA – Release 1 of LARA and plans for Release 2
• OLDC – replace batch load system to cater for single ILR in XML only, increase processing capability to reflect changes to ILR submissions due to use of XML, file compression, Batch and POL error / warnings  and formats

Two webinar sessions will be held per day during the week of 15-19 August to allow as many learning providers as possible to attend. In order to gauge whether there is sufficient interest to make the webinar sessions viable, please email mail@theia.org.uk with your first and second choice for date and time slots by 10 August 2011.  

Dates and time slots:

• 15 Aug – 9-10am or 2-3pm
• 16 Aug – 9-10am or 2-3pm
• 17 Aug – 9-10am or 2-3pm
• 18 Aug – 9-10am or 2-3pm
• 19 Aug – 9-10am or 2-3pm

Registration details will be sent to you once sufficient numbers are booked per slot. We may need to move you to an alternative slot should we not receive sufficient interest for your preferred slots.