A TECHNICAL OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME
This explains technical background to how information is made available
to the website user.
The Core Database
Uploading and Downloading Information
How does the system all work together?
OUR OBJECTIVES
To improve accessibility to public services via the Internet by bringing together Directgov and Local Authority online services into a single offering: |
The Core Database
The basic concept of the Local Directgov technical solution is for the system to be driven by a core database. The database will be established on the Local Government Services List (LGSL) - a recognised national list of services provided by Local Authorities. It will consist of a matrix of URLs for each Local Authority that point to the relevant webpage for each service. This core system will be populated using information captured via the esd-toolkit using one of a number of mechanisms.
Uploading and Downloading Information
The database is designed to enable the upload and download of information, i.e. the ability to have information submitted (uploaded) to the database, and to allow external systems to interrogate the database and extract (download) relevant information. This is crucial for the long-term sustainability and development of the Local Directgov system.
The system allows users to upload or download information either in a delimited format, or using an XML schema. This information can be generated automatically for upload through each authority's CMS and then made available to the Local Directgov system. Users can also manually update entries on an individual basis, although it is anticipated that this will be used for one off rapid adjustments rather than the main method for uploading information.
How does the system all work together?
It is a common error for users to enter addresses which point to an intranet site. Hence, once data is uploaded into toolkit, the data is passed to our core system where some validation and checks take place to ensure the pages uploaded continue to exist.
Once this validation has been passed, the data is loaded into the live system and users can search for specific services, in specific areas. Searching takes place using a number of mechanisms and when the user has identified the service and the location, the system redirects the user to the relevant page in the Local Authority website, using the submitted URL.
Below is a diagrammatic representation of the system.
For further information please contact your Local Directgov Engagement |