The Locksmith Journal Jul-Aug 2016 - Issue 45 | Page 32

32 • INDUSTRYNEWS PROUD SPONSORS OF THIS PAGE Forum welcomes delay to Prompt Payment Certification »»THE FORUM OF PRIVATE BUSINESS, a champion for Prompt Payment, has welcomed the delay in introducing the certification scheme SHA-256-SSL until 19th September when it became clear that a small number of businesses had not updated their software packages. The certification scheme was due to be introduced on Monday 13th June but Bacs research has indica ted that some businesses had not acted on the advice that they had been given. A statement from BAC’s indicated: ‘Changes which are being made by the internet community will affect your access to Bacs via the Payment Services Website and Bacstel-IP. It is important that action is taken now to prevent interruption to the Bacs services used. Information on what is needed, depending on how the services are accessed via either ‘Direct’ submission if you submit directly to Bacs or ‘Indirect’ submission - if a Bacs Approved Bureau submits to Bacs on your behalf can be found on the company’s website www. bacs.co.uk. Those without the certification would have found it hard to pay suppliers and staff electronically which could have caused severe reputational damage, cashflow issues and staff morale. According to Ian Cass, managing director of the forum, “The change is needed as SHA-1, its predecessor, does not take account of the increased sophistication of software and hardware, meaning businesses needed an improved payments platform for their day to day business. New cyber threats are dealt with more effectively through the upgraded system. Bacs is right to delay the introduction of the scheme until full certification is in place. Without this we could see an increase in late payment and additional cashflow issues.” “We would urge businesses to spend a few minutes just checking they are compliant by contacting their software solutions provider. Paying staff and key Forum of Private Business Brand Guidelines - October 2013 - Version 1.2 Our Logo The logo & endline is designed to be used at various sizes. Its proportions must be retained at all times and attention must be paid to the exclusion zone, indicated here. When the logo is used below a height of 30mm the endline must be removed as below. Logo minimum height is 20mm. Relative Height Minimum Height 20mm suppliers on time shows that a company is well run and gives customers the confidence to work with it. There is good evidence of improved productivity and innovation if such people are paid on time.” “As well as working with Bacs to produce a leaflet on the subject, the Forum has also communicated the change to its members through emails and blogs. We are concerned that their customers appear not to be as well prepared” stated Ian Cass. Bacs’ Mike Hutchinson said: “This is the last chance for businesses to become compliant - if they don’t make the necessary upgrades by the new deadline, they won’t be able to use Bacs to pay staff or their suppliers; they’ll have to make other arrangements.” Any business yet to make the necessary changes should contact their software solutions provider who will be able to help them in becoming compatible with the new security measures. The Code itself is an industryled initiative for the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, along with the Chartered Institute of Credit LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | JUL/AUG 2016 Sponsored by ASSA ABLOY Management who have brought together an Advisory Board made up of signatories to discuss how the Code can be strengthened. THE CODE IS BEING STRENGTHENING BY: • introducing a 60 day maximum payment term, and enshrining a 30 day payment term as a norm for all signatories as standard practice; • creating a Code Compliance board to enforce the Code, including its maximum payment term; • requiring small and medium sized signatories to report annually on their payment performance, on a comply of explain basis, and for large signatories to report on their payment practice and performance in line with the new statutory reporting requirement; • increasing the number of references needed to validate membership; and • promoting and strengthening the Prompt Payment Code website. Source: www.promptpaymentcode.org. uk, www.bacs.co.uk