Forthcoming system improvements for RDC Rural Priorities on-line applications
The Implementation team recognise that applicants/agents and staff have had to live with shortcomings in the online system and appreciate all of your patience. In order to open RDC - RP for first-stage applications ( SoI) in April, and follow this up with a working system for full Proposals by August, we had to build a fairly basic online system. Since then, with your help, we have identified improvements which we can now deliver that will alleviate some particular difficulties. These refinements are currently being tested.
The main improvements to the online system for applicants and agents are planned for delivery in late October are as follows:
- If you have an Apple Mac computer you will now be able to use the on-line application system using the 'Firefox' internet browser software.
- A new search and sort facility will be available on the Case list screens which will make it easier to find a particular case from a long work list.
- You will be able to select your RPAC Region from a displayed map of Scotland
- We have introduced another way to select your Options which we believe is more user friendly. An 'Add Option Advanced' button will be available which allows you to:
Select your Regional Priority, Package and Option from one screen.
On the same screen you can provide your option justification along with your
SoI values.
A history of your Regional Priority, Package, Option combinations will display on the same screen that you enter additional Option combinations. Any previously selected Regional Priority/Package/Option combination will be excluded from the selection list, so you can't inadvertently duplicate your choices
- A running total of the number of characters typed into each text box will display above the text box, to help you to keep within the text box limit.
- You will be able to edit Options in your Statement of Intent and Proposal rather than having to delete them and add them again from scratch.
- Your Case Officer will be able to withdraw your SoI, at your request, if you do not wish to proceed with it
- There will be a new Map Required column displayed at the end of the Option list on the View Case Screen. This new column indicates whether a map is required or not for each Option that you select.
- In addition to the Map Required column, you will be able to print the map requirement details from the View Case screen after you submit your SoI. Previously the map requirements screen disappeared as soon as you Submitted your SoI.
- You will be able to edit the Proposal justification text entries.
- You will be able to save part completed text entries and return to these details to add more text at another time.
These improvements will be available by 3 November 2008. Guidance will also be updated with the new changes.
We hope the refinements will be helpful.
We would welcome feedback from you as we are continuing to develop the IT systems and additional improvements will be introduced in subsequent versions.