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What people say about VBN...
"This is groundbreaking stuff. Administrating grant applications is an extraordinarily complex process, particularly where the funds available run into millions of pounds. This unique system enables a simple online registration, eligibility checking and application process enabling us to stay on top of thousands of applications and track their progress through the system.
We are also accountable to the EU and the system will allow us to report to them effectively and to track where funds are at any point in time. We will also be able to demonstrate a huge return on investment by massively reducing our administration costs. "
Steve Cargill, Project Officer, Lincolnshire Broadband Team on the Grant Administration System developed by VBN |
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Onlincolnshire |
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REVOLUTIONISING THE GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS
The communications challenge
Lincolnshire County Council’s (LCC) Broadband initiative was launched to promote economic development, by stimulating demand for broadband internet services and the use of ICT applications within businesses.
The council is responsible for managing the administration of connection subsidy applications, requests for consultancy and grant applications, as part of a £15 million Lincolnshire Broadband Initiative. For this, a system to store records effectively and to enable LCC to check and process claims quickly was required. LCC was accountable to the European Regional Development Fund, which contributed to Lincolnshire Broadband Initiative, and therefore the system had to be fully auditable.
Virtual Business Network (VBN) was appointed to create a bespoke online application called onlincolnshire.net to allow LCC to administer basic broadband connection subsidies for early adopters, ICT Diagnostic Advice and Project Grants, to reduce the cost of managing the scheme for LCC.
Making the Connection
VBN developed a totally unique system to fit LCC’s specific requirements. The VBN platform has the capacity to filter and log online applications historically, generate forms, letters and reports, and to track and measure performance. The system also offers applicants the ability to check their current application status online.
“Feedback regarding the VBN platform has been positive. Staff using the system are saving time in terms of reduced administration, and the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) applicants have commented on how easy the system is to navigate.”
Steve Cargill, Project Officer, Lincolnshire Broadband Team
VBN built additional functionality into the onlincolnshire.net website to speed up the application process for users. A ‘Postcode Eligibility Quick-Check’ tool makes it possible for businesses to instantly identify whether or not they are geographically eligible for the range of subsidies, advice and grants on offer before they proceed with an application. Businesses can also access information and a ‘Jargon Buster’ to help them better understand Broadband and its benefits to their operations.
Businesses are able to register on the onlincolnshire.net website to keep up to date with the latest broadband developments and news. VBN’s platform contains the content management, membership participation and configuration tools needed to build a functional, easy-to-use online tool. In addition to supplying software to build the system, VBN provided full technical support and hosting as part of the package to ensure the success of the Lincolnshire Broadband Initiative.
Turning hyperlinks into handshakes
The VBN platform is helping Lincolnshire County Council to administer its £15 million broadband initiative.
This bespoke system will handle a minimum of 3320 connection subsidies, 500 free consultancies and 275 grants.
VBN’s system has helped Lincolnshire County Council to make significant administrative cost savings.
“Administrating subsidies, advice and grant applications is an extraordinary complex process, particularly where the funds available run into millions of pounds. The VBN platform enables us to stay on top of thousands of applications and track their progress through the system. We will be able to demonstrate a significant return on investment by reducing our administration costs.”
Steve Cargill, Project Officer, Lincolnshire Broadband Team
www.onlincolnshire.net
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Visit the site at www.onlincolnshire.net
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