Link to External Data
A new function for linking external databases has been added to Data Console. We now offer two generic methods, those being ODBC and OLE DB.

Currently external data links only work with the PBW suite running locally under Windows but there are plans to add these functions to the web based version of the same, as well as Data Console running as an independent module.

RFID Services Now Available
We have now successfully added an RFID service to the Unity suite. The application comprises two parts, an application for an RFID enabled mobile telephone and the handler sub system that sits in our Data Console module.

An RFID tag can be thought of as a small label that can store a little bit of information and can in turn be scanned by things like mobile telephones. Scanning an RFID tag allows us to send information to a database or retrieve information from a database according to what the label says. So imagine an apple with an RFID tag, when we scan it we might retrieve information such as "Golden Delicious" or "Grown in England". We could equally attach information against the apple such as "Tasted sweet" or "had gone rotten"). These tags are exceptional for tracking systems, such as people coming or going, or objects moving around.

Two New Objects Added to Data Console
Two new data objects have been added to Data console, both enhanced versions of our popular Data Bind object.

These objects allow easy multi select of relational items from within a table structure. Like the Data Bind object, they allow relationships to be formed within your database without understanding entities or data engineering.

New PBW WIKI Module
Now all those using the full version of the PBW suite will benefit from our very own PBW WIKI module. Unlike a traditional WIKI, our new module allows rapid build of contextual information to a central point without any need of programming or code. A simple point and click GUI is all you need master to compile reports and build information using data from across the entire suite. The system is ideal for building reports or information systems where you wish to use information of different formats from different parts of the system, such as documents from Document Manager, data from Data console and so on.

A new PBW WIKI pebble has also been added to Case Manager allowing easy integration to case flows.

Form Bind Added to Data Console
We have now added Form Bind to our popular Data Bind object in Data Console. This will allow you to more easily create forms with sub forms that integrate together. We have already integrated the new object into the Reports module so reporting from data gathered using a bound form is very easy.

Are You Ready for AWR? Time is Running Out!

On October 1st 2011 AWR (Agency Workers Regulations) were introduced to the UK. If you are an employment agency or if you employ temporary staff, this legislation is going to change the way you run your agency.

This is new EU legislation that states that after 12 unbroken weeks working on temporary assignment, a worker will become entitled to the same benefits as a full time employee, including sick pay, paid holidays, the minimum wage and maternity or paternity leave. If an assignment is broken for 6 weeks however, the clock returns to week 1.

This means that Agencies that operate by employing their resource on a temporary basis could suddenly become liable for giving all of their resource full time benefits. Likewise, companies that use temporary staff face the same issues.

This means that from October 1st 2011 you will have to track how long each worker has been on any specific assignment as well as track 'special events' that can affect the AWR 12 week rule. These rules include things such as periods not working, sickness, holiday and even pregnancy.

The Solution

Using a method known as Swedish Derogation, it is actually possible to circumvent the problems this new legislation will present to agencies and employers of temporary staff. This fancy sounding term relates to the opt-out clause negotiated by the Swedish delegation when the Agency Workers Directive was debated at EU level.

Under this model, agency workers cannot claim their rights for equal pay if they are permanently employed by an umbrella company. This also means that the umbrella must pay the contractor between assignments.

You will need to track the amount of time each and every worker is on a given assignment. The key now is the period worked on any given assignment and whether the worker is temporary or on a contract to the agency (or employing company) through that agency or employing companies umbrella.

You will need to track all of your staff, the time spent on each of their assignments and ensure that all rules are adhered to with regard to allocating the correct period worked.

With Unity Approach you can:

• Track all workers status on a week by week basis
• At a glance, identify any potential issues
• Track workers approaching their 12 week limit
• Automatically apply AWR rules to each workers’ individual situation

What happens when..

Q. A temporary worker is on the same assignment for 12 weeks unbroken?
A. They must now either have a lay off of 6 weeks or be contracted to the umbrella

Q. A temporary worker works on assignment A for 6 weeks and then starts a new assignment where the type of work is completely different?
A. They must now return to week one of the 12 week rule

Q. A temporary worker works for 3 weeks then has 2 weeks sick before returning to assignment?
A. They return on week 4 of the 12 week rule

Q. A temporary worker works for 8 weeks but then leaves for 6 weeks?
A. They return on week one of the 12 week rule

These are just a few examples of the complexities involved in tracking staff through the new AWR legislation.

Tracking your temporary resource is going to become a requirement by law.

The consequences of not taking this obligation seriously could be the difference between having an edge over the competition and having no business.

Because of the complexity attached to AWR, it will not be possible to track resource using a paper and pen, or make do software such as spreadsheets, while most off the shelf solutions are bloated with functionality you are never likely to use.

AWR becomes law in Britain on October 1st this year. If you do not act now, it will impact your business.

We have developed software specific to this very problem. It is in no way intrusive as it has no impact on your current systems. You will not have to spend valuable time or money installing new applications and setting them to work with existing systems.

Our application is self contained, does only what is needed without confusing you with additional, unwanted or unneeded functionality, requires no installation and no set-up.

Unity Approach presents a refreshingly simple approach. Richly graphical user screens allow you to see the exact situation of your companies resource at a glance while the intuitive interface allows the user to quickly come to terms with all functionality.

All of the rules are programmed into our application which means that once staff are entered and correctly monitored, the system will actually give you their correct status in terms of AWR legislation without you needing to know how or why.

Our system can be set up to work on a stand alone PC, internal network or to operate across the internet using nothing more complex than your internet browser.

We strongly recommend the internet based edition of our software because that way you can be sure you are always using the latest tools and working with the latest legislation. That's right, every time legislation is changed or we update our tools, we will pass them onto you completely free of any charge!

Some might think that systems are safer when housed in their own offices, but consider this, our servers are protected by 24 hour a day security, they are regularly backed up and they are fully protected by are suppression systems.

Our servers are also fully supported and should any problems occur, they are quickly repaired. Does your office system offer the same level of data security?

• At a glance, review workers’ Reset Status
• Automatically apply AWR rules to each worker on Reset
• Quickly review workers approaching 12 week reset
• Automatically recycle workers at the end of their 6 week reset

Our system offers a fully integrated management system for aiding companies in managing their staff under the new AWR legislation due for launch in October 2011.

• Low cost, affordable, reliable, robust solution
• No Installation
• No Set-Up
• Intuitive and highly graphical interface
• Store required details for all workers
• Track individual workers in 12 week cycle on a week by week basis
• Automatically allocates week number to workers according to their status (on assignment, sick, on holiday, returned from leave etc...)
• Colour codes workers according to work status. Under AWR you must ensure that all workers are given a chance to take available work. This part of the system highlights those workers that currently are without assignment
• Report on workers status in summary view week on week
• Track workers currently in 6 week lay-off
• Track workers currently in 28 week sickness pause
• Contract workers to umbrella
• Track contracted workers for things such as maternity leave, sickness and absence due to planned or unplanned closure of work placement
• Manage contracted workers
• Manage passport expiry for foreign resource
• Manage and report on workers across more than one office. (View all, view workers operating through a specific office)
• Report, sort and filter

And much much more!

You can opt to do nothing, but soon your company will become embroiled in dispute and liability and ultimately you could become open to litigation or even failure.

OR

you could contact us for a free, no obligation consultation and demonstration of our easy to use software!

Call now on +44 (0) 115 714 2294

Email Now on approach@g2l-online.com