The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister selects VALID software to streamline its information management

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has selected Valid Information Systems’ electronic document and records management system, R/KYV v9, to manage its documents and records.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) was created as a Central Department in its own right in May 2002 and brings together key responsibilities for regional and local government, fire, housing, planning and regeneration.

In March 2003, the ODPM chose the VALID solution following an open competition. The system is based on a hierarchical file structure subdividing topic, function or business plan and sub themes. It was the technology’s ability to replicate this manual filing system that was key to its selection. This will help minimise any changes in the way that staff at the ODPM maintain documents and records and gives them a familiar structure within which to work. The product also complies with the e-government interoperability framework, providing the opportunity to work with other Departments.

Tim Murray, EDRM strategy co-ordinator: “There are a number of anticipated benefits to be derived from the introduction of such technology but we are not taking these for granted. In fact, we are certainly putting it to the test. We have devised a rigorous schedule where, for two months, individuals from across the Office and Departments will test the product."