HOW TO COLLECT THE DATA
A summary of the three methods of data collection you can use for the Local Directgov Programme: manual, CSV delimited file and XML.
Working With the Engagement Support Officer
A Point of Contact for Web Portal Data in Your Local Authority
What Format is Most Suitable to Your Needs?
The Role of Portals and Local Government On Line Consortiums
Available Data Collection Methods
Manual Data Collection
CSV Delimited File Data Collection
XML Data Collection
OUR OBJECTIVES
To improve accessibility to public services via the Internet by bringing together Directgov and Local Authority online services into a single offering: |
Working With the Engagement Support Officer
An Engagement Support Officer (ESO) is available to work with you to decide on the best option for data collection through the esd-toolkit.
A Point of Contact for Web Portal Data in Your Local Authority
Data capture should take place through esd-toolkit to allow users the option to input data in multiple formats. In addition, it can be used to support BVP157. In most cases the person at the Local Authority who is responsible for Web portal data (including that used by Local Directgov), or an authorised user of the esd-toolkit, will be responsible for this. The name of the person nominated by the Local Authority to be recorded in the esd-toolkit must be given to Local Directgov in order to create a point of contact and so that alerts can be sent to him or her.
What Format is Most Suitable to Your Needs?
If you need help determining what data collection method is best for your Local Authority, contact your local Engagement Support Officers who will help you decide the format that is most suitable for your circumstances.
The Role of Portals and Local Government On Line (LGOL) Consortiums
Portals can provide information to Local Authorities, but Local Authorities are responsible for submitting this information. The data for each Local Authority should be submitted on a separate file.
Available Data Collection Methods
- Manual data collection and direct keying into esd-toolkit.
- Generation of data, including manual data collection, into the recommended CSV (Comma Separated Values) delimited file format.
- Generation of data from Content Management System (CMS) in XML format compliant with schema.
Manual Data Collection
Generally, in the esd-toolkit, access channels are the means by which interactions have been e-enabled. It is perfectly valid to have more than one access channel (website, call centre and face-to-face) for each interaction against the Local Government Service List (LGSL) service to show all the different ways the interaction is enabled.
Local Directgov deals only with the website access channel. The URL of the website page for a particular service/interaction is recorded in the esd-toolkit against access channel 1. The URLs may be added to the esd-toolkit 'manually' by visiting each service separately. Please see factsheet 3 for more information.
CSV Delimited File Data Collection
You may choose to produce a delimited file of the relevant information. If this is the case, upload this delimited file into the esd-toolkit in a CSV delimited file format. A CSV delimited file is, very simply, a delimited file without any formatting that can be read by Excel and other delimited programmes. It can be used to upload URL data for many services at once, rather than having to key in each URL using the esd-toolkit software.
XML Data Collection
A standard XML schema has been developed for organisations to use to submit the relevant information. XML data compliant with nationally agreed schema can be output from the content management system utilised by your authority. This can then be uploaded into Local Directgov's database via the esd-toolkit or directly into the core system itself. This schema conforms to standards in the GovTalk Government Data Standards Catalogue (GDSC) and appropriate standards from Local Authority Websites (LAWs). It also references standard controlled lists for metadata. This functionality can be extended as the system develops.
For further information please contact your Local Directgov Engagement |