Data Protection Act - Are Your Customers Compliant?

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Data Protection Act - are your customers compliant ?
Software Satisfacton awards - John Crooks awarded the 2009 Theo van Dort Award
Review of General Council Meeting 12 October 2009
Member discount - ICAEW IT faculty event - Sustainability and Green IT
Business Cloud Summit update
SIG News
Member News
Member Survey update
Charity Technology Exchange - making a difference to the charity sector

BASDA Member Bulletin October 2009

	Data Protection Act: \|Are your customers compliant ? » BASDA members working together on customer guidance

	Software Satisfaction Awards: Results and member success »

	Review of General Council Meeting: Summary of meeting held on 12 October 2009 »Review of General Council Meeting: Summary of meeting held on 12 October 2009 »

	Sustainability and Green IT : BASDA member discount at ICAEW IT Faculty event 28 October 2009

	Business Cloud Summit : BASDA member discount for event 2 December 2009»

	SIG News : Updates from BASDA Special Interest Groups »

	Member News: New members update »

	Member Survey update»
	Charity Technology Exchange (CTX): Making a difference to the charity sector »





	BASDA members feature in Government Technology feature on Financial Software: See online article
	BASDA recruiting for new SIG Chairs: In line with our policy for regularly changing SIG Chairs, we are seeking nominations for the Financials, Logistics and Green SIGs. For more information or to make nominations, contact to current SIG Chair or Jairo Rojas. Forthcoming SIG Meeting Dates: HR & Payroll - 8 December 2009 Green - 17 November 2009 Cloud - 4 November 2009

Dear Jenny

Over the last few months, BASDA has been as active as ever signing up new members and building relationships with key industry bodies and influencers.

We have a very real opportunity to demonstrate further value to customers in anticipation of the forthcoming Data Protection Act enforcement.

Please make sure to have your say in BASDA's future strategy by completing the Member Survey - it will only take 10 minutes and will help me to champion your business needs.

We have arranged a special member discount with our friends at the ICAEW Faculty for their Sustainability and Green IT Event on 28th October for the Business Cloud Summit on 2 December 2009.

Check out the latest article in Government Technology, featuring contributing BASDA members.

Finally, a warm welcome to our 11 new members - Caterquotes, Optimise Solutions, Fusionsoft, Arquila, Consilium Technologies, Landmark Systems, ClearBooks, OpSource, Xero, IGB Associates and Richard Messik.

Jairo Rojas
Director General

contact Jairo

Data Protection Act - Are your Customers Compliant ?

Early next year, the Information Commissioner's powers to impose large fines on non-complaint organisations are expected to come into force. The Commissioner is also being given extended powers to conduct audits in the public and private sectors.

There is every likelihood that your customers will therefore become more anxious about personal data protection. Your customers will look to their business applications supplier:

To ensure that their business applications support their duty of legal complaince.
For guidance on how to use the applications in a legally compliant way.

When launching its new Data Protection Standard in June this year, BSI published research results which, according to the Society for Computers and Law, demonstrated that:

'Almost one in five businesses has unwittingly breached the Data Protection Act at least once according to a survey conducted by the BSI. Of these, nearly half said they had breached the Act on several occasions and an additional 18% said they were not sure whether they had or not'.

There is, therefore, an opportunity for BASDA members to anticipate this forthcoming change in the enforcement regime by looking now at taking steps to assist their customers, e.g.

Design changes to business applications to facilitate compliance
Guidance to customers on the use of applications to ensure compliance
The development of a reference website

BASDA members have set up a sub-commitee including members from Oracle, Intuit and Sage to agree a way forward in consultation with Frances Aldhouse CBE, formerly the UK Deputy Information Commissioner, who is noted for leading the teams which developed policy guidance on data protection issues.

An initial meeting is being held on 29th October. For more information on how you can get involved, contact Jairo Rojas.
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Software Satisfaction Awards - John Crooks presented with 2009 Theo van Dort Award

Congratuations to Sift Media for organising such an excellent event.

The 2009 Theo van Dort Award is presented to the person who has done the most to foster collaboration within the industry and goes to John Crooks for his active involvement with BASDA since 1996 and particularly for his efforts in promoting software best practice and co-operation across the business community. John is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Agresso Ltd, CODA GB Ltd and Business Collaborator Ltd and is responsible for providing strategy and direction to the UK arms of the Unit 4 Agresso Group.

Read full article >>

Congratulations to BASDA members who were category winners:

Pegasus - Mid-Range Accounting, Payroll
Taxcalc - Tax Software
Phocas - BI / CPM
Netsuite - Enterprise Accounting Software
Access. - Green Software Provider

Read full article >>

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Review of BASDA General Council Meeting 12 October 2009

For the first time, each of the BASDA SIG chairs were invited to attend. Followng their valuable contributions, they will continue to be invited as guests to future meetings.

We are delighted that Matt Lambert, Director for Government Policy at Microsoft has been co-opted to the General Council.

Plans are being developed to extend the influence of BASDA into other areas of influence within the UK software industry and introducing additional relevant special interest groups. Full time sales and marketing resource is being recruited to better support BASDA's development.

BASDA are now members of the Trade Assocation Forum (TAF), who aim to assist buyers, government departments, researchers, the public and other enquirers wishing to access information about UK trade associations and business sectors.

TAFlogo

Sustainability and Green IT event - 25% saving

As part of BASDA’s commitment to sustainability through the Green Charter, we have arranged a special rate of £110 + VAT for a full day and £70 + VAT for the morning for BASDA members to attend the ICAEW IT Faculty Business Sustainability and Green IT event on 28th October at the Chartered Accountants’ Hall in London. The event is designed to provide practical advice and guidance from specialist speakers.

Full event information is available on the ICAEW IT Faculty website, or download the event brochure: ICAEW Conference Brochure.

To get these rates, members need to phone the booking line (01908 248159) and quote the code P2810 – the offer is not available through online bookings.

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Business Cloud Summit

BASDA and the Cloud SIG are supporting the Business Cloud Summit 2009 organised by Sift Media.

The event is being held on Wednesday 2 December 2009 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

The event has attracted a superb list of speakers, including BASDA member Netsuite.

BASDA members are eligible for a 10% discount on the delegate rate.

For details see the Business Cloud Summit Programme

BASDA will participate in the event exhibition area where we will promote the industry association and its members to delegates.

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A round up of news from the BASDA SIGs

HR & PAYROLL SIG:

The main area that the HR & Payroll SIG is dealing with is consultation with government bodies on current issues.

Listed below are the current round of consultations :

HMRC

Free Software (CD-Rom)

Payrolling Expense & Benefits

Employers Consultation Forum

Payroll Standards

CMEC (Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission)

The Child Maintenance & Enforcement Commission has taken control of the CSA and want to engage with interested parties at the earliest stage of their development. Following a meeting in June to discuss how BASDA can help them develop a plan to move forward, they have supplied a presentation which outlines their plans. See the HR & Payroll forum.

Scottish Earnings Arrestment (New rules from April 2010) – we managed to postpone from April 2009 and they have taken onboard suggestions that we made.

Personal Accounts Delivery Authority (New pension rules from April 2012)

FINANCIALS SIG:

VAT Changes – January 2010
On 1st January 2010 there will be a number of VAT changes that will demand significant changes to financial software. These are :

Reversion of VAT rate to 17.5% Further details on the VAT rate change can be found at this HMRC website link. Please note that special rules apply for goods or services delivered or invoiced across the 1st January date.

New format for the EC Sales List, new reporting frequencies, shorter deadlines for reporting. Please note that the first new format electronic EC Sales List will need to be submitted by 21st Feb 2010. Full details of the changes and the qualification criteria for submitting EC Sales lists can be found on this HMRC website link.

New (Reverse Charge) VAT rate for services traded with other EU countries including new tax point definitions. Details can be found at this HMRC website link.

Many BASDA members attended a developers forum held by HMRC in September to discuss some of the challenges of implementing the January 2010 changes.. Minutes from this meeting, together with the HMRC communication plan can be found on the BASDA Financials SIG forum.

The communication plan sets out the timetable of how, and when, HMRC are advising VAT traders of the change to their reporting obligations and the new rules.

Kevin Misselbrook retires as Financials SIG Chair
A big thank you to Kevin Misselbrook for his valuable contribution as Financial SIG Chairman over the years.

As Kevin steps down from this role, BASDA are looking for a new Chair and Deputy Chair for the Financials SIG:

The prime role is to co-ordinate the work of the Financial SIG Members:

Collating and disseminating information to the members via Email, the BASDA eNewsletter, and the BASDA Forum
Identifying issues or projects that require more member involvement and progressing such projects
Organising working parties to address issues of significance
Responding to queries from the Financial SIG members
Liaising with HMRC and other Govt bodies on behalf of the SIG members
Organising and chairing Financial SIG meetings
Providing updates to the Director General and the General Council on SIG matters and topics of interest
Marketing the work of the SIG to other BASDA members
Co-ordinating with BASDA Admin and Marketing staff

Financial SIG Deputy Chairman

To assist the Chairman in the duties as outlined above
To deputise for the Chairman where required

Please contact Kevin Misselbrook or Jairo Rojas if you would like to be nominated for either of these posts.

MARKETING SIG: Events - Live vs. Virtual

The focus of the SIG meeting on 8th September was Events - the merits of using face-to-face vs. virtual events in achieving marketing objectives and at different stages in the sales cycle.

In the current ecomonic climate there is a feeling that attendances are lower for trade shows and exhibitions and that companies are re-evaluating their own company events due to costs and tighter travel budgets.

A specialist events agency Marketing Design Partnership gave an update on “The Changing Face of Events in the Current Economic Environment” and members from Agresso and Sift Media shared their knowledge and experience in managing both face-to-face and virtual events.

More details and presentations are available on the Marketing SIG forum

CLOUD SIG:

In line with its remit to educate and help end users, the Cloud SIG are developing plans to produce a member Charter to cover areas such as basic levels of security and encryption, frequency and timing of automatic back-ups, support levels etc. It will include an agreement that clients’ data will be available on request if they wish to move to other suppliers.

The Cloud SIG are producing an end user questionnaire for delegates at the Business Cloud Summit on 2 December to gain more first-hand feedback on user requirements and concerns surrounding web-based business applications.

Visit the Cloud SIG forum

LOGISTICS SIG:

Following the success of the Logistics Best Practice document, the Logistics SIG are working on other key issues within the Logistics and Supply Chain industry such as collaboration and sustainability.

BASDA are seeking a new Chair for the Logistics SIG as Howard Turvey of Proteus steps down. Thanks to Howard and Linda Rodway for their active support over the last 12 months.

Please contact Jairo Rojas or Howard Turvey if you would like to be nominated for this post.

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Member News - Latest Members

caterquoteslogo

CaterQuotes is a Windows-based, Internet-enabled electronic catalogue and estimating programme for catering equipment and supplies professionals

The Optimise Solutions Business Suite contains stock management, order tracking, accounting and finance, reports, point of sale, barcode scanning, showroom display ticket printing, delivery routing, online sales (e-commerce), customer relationship management.

Fusionsoftlogo

Fusionsoft supply solutions for: electronic catalogues, credit card payment systems, web order processing, mobile commerce, electronic surveys, electronic procurement and Punchout, website content management, intranet and extranet.

Arquilalogo

Arquila supply the Insight Business Management Software - an all in one system covering customer & supplier management, sales, order processing, financials, invoicing, stock management, job management, document management.

Consilium Technolgies supply end to end software solutions for a wide range of public and private sector organisations including Housing Associations, Emergency Services and Commercial Organisations.

Landmarklogo

Landmark Systems Ltd supply accounting and property management software for rural business and property management.

Clearbookslogo

Clearbooks supply online Accounting software for small businesses.

Xero is an online accounting system designed for small businesses and their advisors.

OpSource provides Cloud operations for Enterprise, Software-as-a-Service and Web companies. OpSource’s offerings range from cost effective enterprise-class Cloud infrastructure to complex fully managed hosting and application management.

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Commsgraphic

Member Survey - make sure you Have Your Say!

As you will know, we have been conducting a member survey to ensure that we fully represent members' requirements of BASDA.

We have selected independent researchers, Customer Service Measurement Ltd (CSM), to manage this survey on our behalf.

Many thanks to the 65 companies who have provided their feedback.

Results will be published in the next newsletter.

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Charity Technology Exchange (CTX)

William Hoyle, the CEO of Charity Technology Trust, presented at the recent Marketing SIG meeting to talk about a valuable programme that links the software industry with smaller charities with an average income of £100K or less.

CTX provides charities with a portal for donated technology including suppliers such as Cisco and Microsoft.

As well supporting the charity sector, suppliers also benefit from the positive internal and external PR it generates.

BASDA would urge members to consider donating their software to CTX - contact William Hoyle directly.

For more information, see the the CTT website.


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