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Last updated: 28 October 2009
After a set-back to the scheduled launch date of 3rd November 2009, the project team agreed upon a new date of 4th January 2010 to begin a phased release of the NRE. The problems encountered in the latter stages of the application’s development have now been overcome and in early November the “Collaborate” application will enter Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT). This is where the supplier will test the product to destruction before handing it over to the client, Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CCS) for User Acceptance Testing (UAT) in early December. Once the application has successfully passed UAT then “Early Implementer” organisations will have full access to the NRE. From the 4th January a further group of users will be brought onboard to ensure that over the following few months the NRE is gradually “worked up” to cope with the steadily increasing demand.
On the 14th October a cross section of NRE Collaborate users (including the Cabinet Office and representatives from Local and Regional Resilience groups) assembled at Ultra Electronics Datel in Preston for a User Visibility Event. Utilising the latest development build they exercised all of the features provided by the application. The event provoked a lively discussion particularly about how the system could be used and the protocols and procedures that will enhance the benefits to be gained from the deployment of the system. For many it was the first time that they had used the system and Ultra Electronics Datel took the opportunity to gain feedback from them, some of which will be used to enhance the first production release. The event was considered a success by all parties. Now that the “Collaborate” application is in a stable state, work has rapidly progressed on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for use of the NRE users. These will inform both the user guide and the training packages that are being developed in parallel for the launch of the product.
Due to the success of our summer events, there are two further NRE roadshow briefings taking place in London on 6th and 13th November. Go to Ultra-Datel's website for further details [External website].
In July the project team conducted a series of well received presentations and demonstrations of the NRE around the UK. There was a lot of enthusiasm for the NRE and interest from potential subscribers indicates that there will be widespread usage within the UK Resilience community once the product has gone live.
The development of the system (the actual hardware and infrastructure) is finished. The suppliers are now concentrating on finishing the core NRE application, Atlas COLLABORATE and its integration with the optional IMS and GIS tools.
Once this has been completed the supplier will conduct a series of vigorous tests on the system to ensure that it is fully functioning. In mid-September a period of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) will follow to allow CCS to see if the product meets the requirements we outlined. In October a Pilot will take place involving organisations from a variety of sectors within the UK Resilience community. The NRE will be put through several mock scenarios to test how it will work, not just in day-to-day business, but in real-world emergency response scenarios.
Once all testing has been successfully completed the NRE will be officially launched in early November.
The National Resilience Extranet is planned to go live in Autumn 2009. To inform and familiarise the resilience community with the functionality, features and collaborative working benefits of the NRE a programme of briefings is being held throughout July 2009. Hosted at regional venues around the UK the briefings will provide the opportunity for delegates to meet members of the NRE project team from Cabinet Office, BT and Ultra Electronics Datel. The briefings will include an in-depth Q&A session and demonstrations of Atlas Collaborate, the core NRE emergency planning tool. Details of the optional Atlas AIMS and Atlas OPS packages will also be available.
For information and to book attendance at the venue of your choice please visit: www.ultradatelonline.com/index.php/nrebriefing/
We are pleased to announce that following a thorough procurement process we have awarded the contract for the National Resilience Extranet (NRE) to British Telecommunications PLC and Datel (Ultra Electronics)[1].
Following contract award at the end of September, development of the system is now underway and we are planning to launch the service in Autumn 2009.
[1] Datel (ultra electronics) currently supply the Atlas AIMS and Atlas OPS packages to the responder community,
An invitation to tender for the project was published at the beginning of December 2007, followed by an open question and answer session for potential bidders. The deadline for responses was 28th January 2008. The procurement is at preferred supplier stage with a view to being able to award contract in August 2008. Launch of the service is expected during 2009.
There has been significant interest in this initiative across the broader spectrum of stakeholders from central government departments, local authorities, police forces and utilities.
General enquiries: Cabinet Office, 22 Whitehall, London SW1A 2WH.
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