Remploy puts flexible new deal (FND) in the cloud with Bond

Remploy, the UKís leading provider of specialist services for people experiencing multiple barriers to employment, has signed a new contract for a ëCloud-basedí Software as a Service (SaaS) deployed recruitment system with London stock-market listed Bond International Software.

This is the first phase in a contract for Bond that is worth at least 750,000 in the first year and is potentially valued at over 5 million over the year agreement.

The Bond Adapt Recruitment software will be used by Remploy to start deployment of the Governmentís Department for Work and Pensions ëFlexible New Dealí programme – stage four of its new employment programme.

The implementation of the enhanced Jobseekerís Allowance (JSA) regime and the Flexible New Deal (fND) is an integral part of the Governmentís welfare reform and skills agenda, including reforms for lone parents, disabled people and older people who have been out of work for more than 12 months.

The Bond Adapt Recruitment software will be used as a case management system to help JSA customers in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire to find employment. Specifically, the software will manage the customer journey from referral to Remploy – by Jobcentre Plus staff – through to employment and the provision of in-job support by Remploy and subcontractors.

Recruitment and Human Capital Management specialist, Bond, will deploy its Adapt Recruitment System as a fully-hosted case management system that will take customers referred from the national network of Jobcentre Plus offices, matching them with the most appropriate local employment advisor who is a ëbarrier specialistí. The advisor will then use the Bond Adapt system to take the applicant through the process of job application, interview, placement and in-job support in a suitable position with an employer or Partner within the fND programme.

The hosted solution allows Remploy complete flexibility over the number of its staff and its subcontractors who are able to operate the system at any time from within their offices. In addition, the system will also provide an internet-based, secure, online web portal for use by barrier specialists, customers, employers and Ofsted and Jobcentre Plus staff, to access customer information and action plans, to perform job searching, to upload vacancies and to access and review management information for quality assurance.

As a SaaS deployed model, pricing is based upon the number of users of the system on a month by month basis and Remploy have the complete flexibility to adjust this on an as needed basis, consequently the contract has been awarded for a potential of 6∏ years and the value will vary depending upon the number of users and the duration.

Bond International Software is the world's leading supplier of specialist recruitment software solutions and Adapt Recruitment is used by nine out of ten of the leading recruitment organisations around the world. The flexibility of Adapt Recruitment means that it is unique in its field, whilst it has an industry standard specification, it can be adapted to the specific needs of a particular organisation. Adapt Recruitment is fully deployable as an on premise or ëCloud-basedí platform and is database independent, scaleable and configurable, with comprehensive self-service features.

Craig Lewis, Remployís Employment Services Director of Operations,, says, ìBond International Software has a significant reputation in the recruitment market, but we needed to be sure that Adapt Recruitment could provide the complex case management system that was needed for fND. Bond has clearly demonstrated that the solution has the flexibility we need, both in functionality and the underlying technology for it to be deployed in the Cloud.î

Tim Richards, Bond International Software, Managing Director, concludes, ìCloud-computing is a safe, secure and highly cost-effective way for Government to deploy projects of this scale and complexity. Bond Adapt is ideally suited to delivering a project of this scale, it is functionally-rich and highly adaptable to enable the Public Sector to take advantage of over 10 years of private sector development. We believe we are well ahead of the rest of our market in being able to deliver the same functionality on premise or in the Cloud.î