Further to recent list discussions about The National Archives testing and
approval of application level ERMS software: may we remind colleagues that
approval of any product is a formal process undertaken by us and the
listing of what is approved is posted on our public website, as stated in
Chris Campbell’s last posting.
In general
The lead-in time from a formal approval actually being made to its
appearance on the site is as short as we can reasonably make it [a few
days]. It would be prudent for colleagues to bear this in mind: rumour
does from time to time occur.
We do make as much information as we are able available on our public
website and this listserve is not a suitable forum for us to get involved
in the discussion of issues of considerable commercial import and
sensitivity.
We recently reviewed the amount of information we can make available in the
light of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and published some additional
content. As we make a charge for conducting the testing programme to
recover some of the costs, we enter into contractual relationships in
English law with the suppliers involved. These involve us in certain
obligations.
The current position
The current listing at:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/electronicrecords/reqs2002/approved.htm
is currently up to date. All the formal product approvals we have made
have been posted.
There is one single pending approval undergoing some final contractual
niceties but formal approval has not been communicated. I can confirm that
this is not the SAP product that has been the subject of discussion on this
listserve today.
As regards the issue of the winding down of the testing scheme: the
announcement linked from
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/electronicrecords/function.htm explains
the decision and there are a number of products currently in various stages
of the process. These are listed at:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/electronicrecords/reqs2002/test_schedule.
htm.
I am sorry we have to be slightly cryptic on this, but this approach is
advised and I am assured that this last approval mentioned will be posted
within the next 48 hours. Colleagues’ understanding of this is appreciated.
Malcolm Todd
Head of Standards, Digital Records Management
The National Archives
|