FutureWork Systems Launches New Web Tool and Service for Workforce Development Agencies
press release
Ringwood, NJ - June 10, 2009 – FutureWork Systems, provider of information technology solutions and service in support of US Department of Labor initiatives, has released a new decision support application service in response to the new quarterly Workforce Investment Act (WIA) data submission and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) reporting requirements issued by the US Department of Labor. The new decision support service called InSite is available to state workforce development agencies across the country to assist in managing performance under these new requirements.
InSite is a Web-based application service. This decision support service includes a unique, secure web application for data analysis and reporting of WIA quarterly data, including the ability to conduct ARRA data analysis.
“Starting May of 2010, state workforce development agencies will be required to submit quarterly participant data to the US Department of Labor. This new requirement is so that the Department of Labor can have a clearer understanding of how the workforce system as a whole is doing, in more real-time,” says Geoff Smith, VP of Business Development.
InSite takes WIA quarterly data into a data warehouse and surfaces it on the Web in a dynamic decision support framework. This allows states to conduct very efficient and effective analysis of the data because of the tool’s ability to slice, dice, and drill into data at the Workforce Investment Board level in a dynamic environment. It gives administrators and policymakers access to data in a way that informs program and policy decision making. Users of the system need a web browser, Internet connection and a password for access.
In addition to InSite’s ability to help state workforce agencies manage performance under the new WIA quarterly reporting requirement, the application service also offers a window on performance under ARRA.
“Everyone in workforce development knows that the first 12 months of ARRA implementation will be the most critical. But performance data on how agencies are doing under ARRA won’t be officially reported until 2 to 3 years out from now. Agencies need to know how they are doing as soon as possible so they can respond quickly. InSite can give them that window on ARRA performance that can help them understand what is happening and therefore be proactive,” says company co-founder, Ken Ryan. “They can immediately see the characteristics and services of those served, exited and currently enrolled…rich information to have at your fingertips when you need to understand what’s happening within your program or area.”
The InSite decision support service not only contains a Web application tool for analyzing data and generating user-configured or ad hoc reports, but includes many service elements specifically designed to take the ‘headache’ out of performance management for workforce development agencies.
“We recognized early on that states needed help with tapping into all the data they collect, to not only meet reporting requirements for performance, but to be capable of pulling information from the data to help drive decisions that can lead to continuous improvement of programs. But we also recognized that they had another challenge—the costs, financially and in human resources, for managing another software system. The solution was to offer our decision support toolset as an application service whereby states could enjoy the benefits of this management tool without the financial or resource headaches typically associated with implementing or operating a robust software tool,” says Mr. Smith.
All of FutureWork Systems’ decision support tools, including the new InSite application service, are offered with data processing and warehousing services, application hosting, tech support, application maintenance and upgrades and even onsite training for end users.
FutureWork Systems offers InSite at a subscription rate that is determined by the transaction volume of state workforce agencies. There is no long term subscription commitment required. Interested states should explore the company’s website for more information and pricing.
“Our goal is pretty simple with InSite…help states get access to information they need under this new quarterly WIA submission requirement and ARRA reporting in a way that helps them get answers to how they’re doing for whom at an affordable rate. We want them to have that ‘clearer’ picture of how their workforce development system is performing. With today’s current economic environment and the increased demand for workforce development services, it’s never been more critical.”
FutureWork Systems has provided decision support technology and technical assistance services in support of US Department of Labor initiatives since 2000. Currently, 6 states and over 40 local workforce investment boards utilize the company’s Performance Matters Plus decision support application service for the tracking and reporting of WIA, Wagner-Peyser, and Trade Act performance data. More information about the company and its services can be found at the company’s website, www.futureworksystems.com.
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