Datapac is top of the class with ETB solution
ENNISCORTHY based technology solutions and services provider Datapac has announced that it has developed and implemented a new centralised records management solution for Ireland’s Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The project was undertaken with software partner Swappsi and seeks to streamline the administrative processes for ETBs.
ETBS manage one third of all second level schools in the country, as well as further education colleges and adult education centres and they are responsible for the education of over 100,000 students in Ireland.
The 16 ETBs were formed when 33 Vocational Education Committees were amalgamated to reduce costs and increase efficiency and this led to a number of challenges, including the potential duplication of software systems for performing administrative functions such as organising payments to suppliers and managing student grants and payroll.
It was for this reason that the ETBs contacted Datapac to help them meet the various challenges of the mergers and following a comprehensive assessment, Datapac contacted its partner Swappsi to develop a customised software solution to consolidate VEC data in a primary ETB database and cleanse redundant or duplicate records.
As part of the project, new telecommunication links were installed to provide remote ETB offices with direct access to the new single database at head office. To enable remote offices to submit administrative documentation Swappsi also developed a purpose-built web portal. The web-portal created by Swappsi is currently in use by over 11,000 users at 400 education centres and offices around Ireland.
ETB software systems manager Denis Hackett said: ‘The amalgamation of the VECs involved merging multiple ETB offices, their software systems, and their telecommunication networks, across various geographical locations. This required that the existing ICT infrastructure be re-configured.
‘This was a complex and demanding project that could not have been completed without Datapac’s knowledge, expertise and commitment, and Swappsi’s particular skillset.’
Meanwhile, Richard Murphy, Head of Business Solutions at Datapac, said that they ‘look forward to working closely with the ETBs in supporting the new unified systems, and on any future projects that assist the ETBs in achieving their objective which is the provision of high-quality education and training services to their local communities.’