EPN514 - Enhancements to the Monthly Interface

• We are making a number of enhancements to the Monthly Interface process to improve the validation of your data and help you to reduce errors;
• The enhancements will go-live from 1 November 2017, ready for your October interface;
• Support is available:
  • Awareness sessions will follow the Regional Employer Forums;

We have made a number of enhancements to the Monthly Interface process to improve the validation of your data and help you to reduce data errors.

If you are using the Standard or Manual Interfaces you will benefit from the following:

• Improved Errors and Warnings validation report (which will now be known as the Data Validation report – DVR). This will be sent to you after your Monthly Interface has been processed by the Scheme Administrator and will now include pre-populated fields to make it easier for you to correct errors.

• Improved management information provided to you, following submission of your Monthly Interface file.
• Alignment of data validations with wider work to cleanse scheme data. This will provide a standardised and consistent way of referring to Data Validation Failures (DVFs), which will make it easier for you to process them. You can also expect to spend less time dealing with DVFs and data related queries from your employees. It will support compliance with current Data Protection and the forthcoming General Data Protection regulations.

Together, the enhancements will help to improve the quality of data the scheme holds for its members and in turn improve member experience.

Errors and Warnings (Data Validation Failures)

Errors and Warnings need to be reviewed and any corrections submitted to the Scheme Administrator ahead of your next monthly payroll cycle in the following ways.

• Standard and Manual interface file users should submit their corrections by completing and returning the new Data Validation Report.
• Full interface file users should submit their corrections using the Manual Interface.

Go live date

The enhancements will go live on 1 November 2017.

This means that your November interface submission containing your October data will be the first returned using the new format Data Validation report.

Support available to you

Employer Awareness sessions designed to provide more detailed information about the enhancements  are taking place after each of the forthcoming Regional Employer Forums.

To book onto one of the sessions, use the booking form which can be found here.

Email support

If you are unable to attend the awareness sessions, you can email any questions regarding the enhancements to: monthlyinterface@mycsp.co.uk.

Interface training

Interface training sessions designed to provide you with an understanding of data and its importance, submission requirements and the impact of not providing timely, monthly data, are available.

To book you place on one of the sessions contact training@mycsp.co.uk or use the booking form which can be found using this link.

Support from your Interface Analyst

To address validation issues in-month, you should contact your Interface Analyst (IA) at interfaceteam@mycsp.co.uk.

Guidance for Developers

We have updated the Developer’s Guide and produced a scenarios document that sets out examples on how to complete the new Monthly Interface.  You will also receive a validation list which documents the nature and resolution of each DVF.

If a third party provides your Monthly Interface, you will need to make sure the guidance is available to them.

You can request a copy of the guidance by emailing interfaceteam@mycsp.co.uk.

Other information

If you require any further assistance on the content of this EPN, please contact andrew.howard@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

If you have a question about the distribution of EPNs contact employerpensionnotice@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

You can find electronic copies of the Employer Pension Guide, all current EPNs and forms on our website.

This notice is for employers and should not be issued to scheme members.

If members need information about their pension, they can find it at Civil Service Pension Scheme website.