Out-of-this-World stories from Rocket Software

Rocket Software move to bigger offices

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:59:19 +0100

It had to happen eventually, with the new recruits there was no room to swing a cat, let alone space for Matt's servers. So during bank holiday weekend the team moved lock stock and barrel from Manchester to Oldham.

Although things didn't go quite to plan, with BT getting their wires crossed we did manage to move in without too much disruption, mind you I am not convinced that Amy and Mike are actually working, spot the loose wires at the back!

Saying that at least the servers were running, so all are clients were oblivious of the move. But where is Matt, shouldn't he be in front of the servers or is this just a photo to pin on his wall back home, we are convinced he has some strange attraction to the hardware.

So Mike, what do you reckon?

Rocket Software expands our support team.

Mon, 24 May 2010 08:00:32 +0100

Rocket Software are pleased to announce the arrival of Amy Wheatley to our support team, Amy started on the 4th May 2010 and her job role is first line support to all our TempID clients. Amy brings with her a wealth of recruitment and TempID experience as previously working in recruitment for 6 years with one of our current TempID clients. Rocket Software would like to wish Amy all the best and hope she becomes a significant asset to our support team.

Danny Steel appointed TEAM Regional Director.

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:00:03 +0000

Rocket Software is delighted to announce that director Danny Steel has been appointed the new North West Regional Director for the Employment Agents Movement (TEAM). Danny has a unique background, bringing experience working within the recruitment industry and also supplying software and services to recruitment clients. Danny is extremely passionate about all things recruitment and is looking forward to working with the North West regional members of TEAM.

New VAT rate change due 1st January 2010

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:45:19 +0100

Are you aware of the change to the VAT rate due on 1st January 2010, we have heard rumours that the rate would be increased to 18.5% or even 22% after confirmation from the HMRC this rate will revert back to it's original 17.5%. This change affects any VAT registered business that sells or purchases goods or services that are subject to the standard rate of VAT. You charge VAT at the rate of 17.5% on any sales of standard rated goods or services that you make on or after 1st January 2010.

Rocket's Driver CPC clarification dilemma

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:18:08 +0100

Rocket Software is in mid flow with development of the new Driver CPC module which comes into effect on 10/09/2009 for licence categories C, C1, CE & C1E. Rocket has come up against a few stumbling blocks in relation to obtaining the intricate details of this new legislation. After trying multiple avenues we have had several different answers from the governing bodies that are enforcing the Driver CPC.

Rocket has found the information displayed on the DSA and Business Link websites to be extremely ambiguous. We found it difficult to get any clarification on how the Driver CPC legislation affects the different licence categories valid from dates and what 5 year cycle will be followed from there on after. This will potentially put back the update of the CPC modules into TempID until clear clarification is established.

What does the Agency Workers Directive mean for Recruitment Agencies?

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:50:57 +0100

With the new Agency Workers Directive (AWD) being rushed into implementation has anyone stopped to think how it will actually affect the agencies?Once the directive is implemented agency workers who have completed the derogation period at an employer will be entitled to receive the same pay, terms and conditions and benefits as a comparable worker who is a permanent employee. The UK Government agreed that this derogation period should be 12 weeks. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) estimates that between 50% and 60% of temporary agency assignments last fewer than 12 weeks, therefore the new legislation will only apply to the minority of agency workers and it is likely that the introduction of this legislation will reduce the number of long term contracts available in the future.

The worry that remains for agencies is the speed at which the Government is trying to railroad this legislation onto the statute books. The EC has stated that they have until December 2011, however BIS and the Government maintain that they want to see the AWD become law in the next session of parliament, which could mean the new rules will take effect from as early as April 2010. All the other member states and the EC have been very relaxed over implementation timings because they want to see who goes first and to learn from their mistakes. The UK Government has been unable to give a convincing reason for wanting to rush the implementation of this highly complex legislation.

The danger of this haste is that the UK is likely to face another botched and chaotic introduction of key legislation, much like we saw with IR35.

The draft legislation is likely to be published for a second-stage consultation in September or October 2009.

Serious about Standards - the new campaign launched by the REC

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:00:37 +0100

With the current downturn some employers are at risk of falling into a false economy, by cutting corners in their recruitment processes.

The REC's Serious about Standards campaign is designed to demonstrate the importance of professional recruiters delivering the best possible service, and how they can help its corporate members and the members of the Institute of Recruitment Professionals to ensure compliance with the law and develop the talent they need to win business in the highly competitive environment.

The campaign covers six core areas of REC services.

Quality Assurance
Minimising Risk
Qualifications
Promoting Talent
Promote your Business
Top 10 Ways to use standards in business.

For more information on how TempID can help cut costs without cutting corners please call 08450 511 055 for an informal chat.

Further information on the REC and how being a member can benefit your business can be found at www.rec.uk.com.

TempID 4 free offer

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:00:23 +0100

We are delighted to announce a free software offering exclusively for REC and TEAM members. All you pay for is installation, training and support — then TempID is yours.

We understand the challenges you face in these trying economic times, and with our partners have come up with an unbeatable offering for the driving and industrial sectors' most innovative software. If the inefficiencies of pen and paper still lurk within your business then this is the ideal time to gain competitive advantage by choosing TempID.

TempID contains many unique features to give you real commercial benefits from the moment you begin using it. From day-to-day control of holiday accruals, tachograph management to an overview of the weekly plan, TempID's unique range of features saves your consultants time and trouble by giving them more control. For more information on TempID please click here.

This offer is valid for software installed before the 31^st August 2009, for up to four users.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information or would like a no obligation demonstration or even just an informal chat.

Call 08450 511 055 or email tempid4free@rocketsoftware.co.uk.

Rocket Software named as Approved Service Provider to TEAM

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:44:46 +0100

We are delighted to be associated with TEAM, The Employment Agents Movement.

All TEAM members will be able to take advantage of significant discounts available for our TempID software. All TEAM members are encouraged to contact Rocket Software for a free web demonstration and consultation on whether TempID is right for their business.

We truly believe that we are bringing a unique product offering to TEAM as our recruitment software, TempID, is specialist for those temporary recruitment businesses with large volumes of bookings changing daily such as the driving and industrial sector.

New TempID features for Driver CPC management

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:41:41 +0100

Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) is the new qualification required in order for an LGV or PCV driver to be able to work as a commercial driver. It requires them to complete 35 hours of periodic training in a 5 year period.

This training covers several areas relevant to the individual driver's every day job, including safe and fuel efficient driving, legal requirements, service logistics and health and safety.

New drivers – those who obtain their class C classification from the 10th September 2009 or their class D classification from the 10th September 2008 – will need to pass the Driver CPC theory and practical test in addition to the license acquisition theory and practical tests. Drivers who qualified prior to those dates will not have to complete the initial Driver CPC as they have "acquired rights". They will, however, still be required to complete the 35 hours of periodic training by 10th September 2013 for PCV drivers and 10th September 2014 for LGV drivers in order to retain these rights and continue to be able to drive commercially.

The new functionality in TempID will assist the driving recruitment consultant in making sure their drivers are suitably certified and up to date with their periodic training before being put out to work. This new function is currently in beta testing and will be available shortly.

Rocket Software launch new web site

Tue, 19 May 2009 13:39:50 +0100

Rocket Software today launch a new web site to consolidate TempID's position as the leading player in the temporary industrial and driving recruitment software sector.

With design and development led by Manchester based design agency t.three, the new web site shows Rocket Software's commitment to providing market-leading software to the temporary industrial and driving recruitment sector.

We're also expanding our IT portfolio to provide our customers with value added services including web hosting, DNS management and remote server monitoring. Contact the sales team for more information.

Firms' bad debt on the increase

Thu, 14 May 2009 13:21:01 +0100

The number of firms being chased for bad debt is increasing at an unprecedented rate, according to debt recovery firm Lovetts.

Lovetts says the total value of claims being taken through the courts by Lovetts on behalf of its clients in Q1 this year up 97% on Q1 2008, while the average claim was up 60%.

Of these claims, 37.4% were for late payment interest and/or compensation, up from 31.6% in 2008.

Lovetts also witnessed a 58% increase in the levels of debt being chased through letters before action (LBAs) with the average value of LBAs increasing by 20%, Q1 2009 vs Q1 2008.

LBAs are used to secure payment or to obtain a response from a customer ahead of legal proceedings.