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RD 2/00
TO THE REGULATORY DIRECTORS OF ALL
WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANIES AND
WATER ONLY COMPANIES
7 January 2000
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE JUNE RETURN INFORMATION CAPTURE SYSTEM, THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS MANUAL AND PRINCIPAL STATEMENTS INFORMATION CAPTURE SYSTEM.
As you are aware Ofwat issue the June Return (formally, the July Return) information capture system (ICS), Reporting Requirements Manual and the Principal Statements ICS on a yearly basis. We are in the process of upgrading these systems. This year will see new systems issued to you.
It has been decided to upgrade to Microsoft Office 97 for all information capture systems and other associated products issued.
The minimum software configuration will be as follows:
- Microsoft Office suite including, Excel 97 and Word 97;
- A minimum screen display of 65536 colours;
- A screen resolution of 800x600 pixels; and
- A Pentium 200Mkz desktop with 64 megabytes of onboard RAM.
June Return Information Capture System
This ICS is intended to supersede all existing forms of information capture system and is being developed in Microsoft Excel 97 with the commentary files being generated in Microsoft Word 97.
Previous versions of this information capture system were developed using Lotus 123 5.0, with the commentary files being generated as templates in WordPerfect 5.01.
Reporting Requirements Manual
An electronic version of the June Return Reporting Requirements Manual is being developed in Microsoft Access 97 and will incorporate a search facility to allow you to search for definitions within the manual. The system has been designed to reflect the origins of the Manual as a published document. Both hard copy and electronic copy will run in parallel through 2000-01.
Principal Statements and Additional Information ICS
This ICS is intended to supersede all existing forms of information capture system and will be developed in Microsoft Excel 97. Associated ICS for Special Agreements and Large Users will also be Microsoft Excel 97 based.
User Manuals for ICS
All user manuals will now be issued as Windows help files (.HLP). Where possible these help files will be directly linked to the associated systems. Where these help files cannot be linked they will remain as stand-alone files.
Use of Electronic Mail
With the increased use of electronic mail (e-mail), delivery of systems from Ofwat to companies using e-mail would seem a natural progression.
There are a number of issues that need to be considered before moving to e-mail delivery, specifically the security of the information being sent and ensuring a proper audit trail of data received and sent.
We would welcome your views on the use of e-mail as the delivery vehicle for future systems by 1 March 2000. We will clarify the position on the use of e-mail in light of the industry's comments during March 2000.
Current developments
The initial development of these systems is now in place. The systems will look and feel similar to previous systems, however, we hope to take advantage of the increased facilities within the Microsoft Office 97 Suite.
As part of the development process we would welcome your comments on the new June Return systems either during the weeks you are using them, or by no later than 30 June 2000. We will also follow up this and each of the other systems with a structured questionnaire. Your comments will help us to develop the best systems for you in future years.
I am copying this letter to Reporters and Auditors.
Please direct any comments or queries arising from this letter either in writing to Carl Poulton, or by telephone on 0121 625 1349.
Yours sincerely
Carl Poulton
Systems Development Manager |
Letters to Regulatory Directors
