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Systems
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Burall InfoSmart Ltd is probably best known as
a manufacturer of smartcards and magnetic tickets but we have always
developed systems too. Lawrence Faulkner, heads up the Burall InfoSys
division which acts as the incubator for applying new technologies,
developing market-specific solutions, and running special projects using
both internal expertise and using appropriate external partners. Some of
the special projects are listed below.
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Computerised MOT System
In May 2002, Burall InfoSmart were awarded one of the biggest smartcard
system projects in Europe at the time. As part of the MOT
Computerisation Programme, a major UK government IT project funded by
Siemens Business Services (now Siemens IT and Services) under a Private
Finance Initiative, the total system included
some 40,000 contactless card readers, specifically designed and built by
Burall InfoSmart for this project. We also set up the secure data
exchange with the VOSA database to allow us to download daily the
details of new vehicle examiners or those who have changed addresses.
This information is used by us to produce the of secure
photo-ID tokens for every certified vehicle examiner in the UK.
In 2007, the project was
subjected to a detailed Stage 5 review by the Office of
Government Commerce (OGC), as part of their Gateway process.
Gateway 5 involves a review of the operations of a mature system,
especially one developed under a PFI contract, such as MOT
Computerisation. It also checks that the projected benefits that
justified the original business case are being realised. VOSA and
we are delighted to report that we came out of the Gateway 5 review with
a green status with 6 green advisories. Only one other project in
government has achieved such a high rating for operational compliance
and maturity. See the original press
release for further details.
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WasteDataFlow.org
 Following
a competitive tender, Burall InfoSmart were awarded the contract to
develop the national municipal wastes database and official online wastes reporting system. The system greatly simplifies the
collection of official statistics from 474 waste collection and disposal
authorities through England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It allows national Agencies and Eurostat to see trends (and intervene)
earlier than they would by traditional paper-based surveys, and it makes
the data collection and submission easier for all concerned.
WasteDataFlow.org is now the
official database or all waste collection, export, disposal and
recycling facilities for the UK and administration of the system is now
in the hands of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs (Defra).
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Burall InfoCare
 Adult
Social Services is often the first or second highest spend by local
councils and much of the care provision is outsourced to private
agencies. Traditionally, this cost was monitored using weekly
paper timesheets and it was not practical to spot fraud or analyse any
meaningful quality measures. Early attempts at introducing a
technology solution resulted in care-worker frustration, service-user
alienation and even a strike in one case!
This changed when we developed the
award winning Burall InfoCare
system. Using a £70, battery operated terminal in each
service-user's home, developed and
built by us specifically for this purpose, care-workers can capture
visit information, simply and quickly by placing their smart photo-ID
badge in the terminal. The data is then sent to the council and
their employer automatically and can be shared with others using a
secure web portal. Councils who use the InfoCare system now have rich
information on which to plan their service and the system has shown that
up to 30% of the care paid for by the Council was not previously being
delivered.
Our original customers are still supported by Burall InfoSmart but the
rights to further InfoCare business have been sold to the original
co-designer and details can be found at
www.burall-infocare.com
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