Since 1985 Soft Options have specialised in providing computer solutions designed to fulfil the business needs of its customers. Its skilled consultants deliver cost effective systems to an expanding UK client base ranging from small businesses to corporate and public sector customers. The system is called “CEquip” and is a complete browser based ICES application, which can be served through either a clients own local network or from a secure hosted extranet – advantages of true remote access can be achieved from our secure networks. The partnership between health and social care communities can provide a system that enables any ICES service to provide service users and carers with a prompt service that has transparency between the organisations involved. key business requirements are to provide: A robust and industry standard information technology system to track and monitor the issue and maintenance of equipment A reliable Information Management System. A platform that could be developed in the future to allow self-service to equipment requests from service users An easy to use interface, that intuitively supports the process, including general user interface options such as drop down lists and help screens Controlled access to data that is held securely, with audit and permissions features to ensure the use of data can be easily monitored Security. All data delivery is encrypted to SSL 128Bit and is hosted behind secure managed firewalls and switches. NHS clients can connect directly via the NHSnet after consultation with Their I.T Dept and Caldicott Guardian. Resiliance. High-level resilience and redundancy are vital pre-requisites to all our clients, with full backup and disaster recovery forming a key benefit of using our remotely housed systems. Security is designed up to and beyond NHSIA standards. Reporting. Secure, resilient data warehousing is run in parallel to all our transactional systems allowing our clients (and their authorised clients and users) a secure business intelligence capability, giving maximum accessibility to reporting and analysis services. Bar Coding and Remote Access. Our Bar Coding expertise, Hand held PDA access, Budget management, central invoicing and extensive Business Intelligence are among the benefits brought to these clients.