Choosing a digital interface
Your digital interface could be provided by:
- using an interface built by your scheme’s third-party administrator or software / IT supplier
- building your own interface if the scheme is administered in-house
- using an interface provided by a third-party integrated service provider (ISP)
The digital interface you choose will need to meet the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) standards. Talk to your administrator and software / IT suppliers to understand their plans for connecting your systems to the digital architecture and assess how well prepared they are. You will need to decide whether they can meet your needs or whether to use an interface from an ISP.
If you are considering building your own interface, be aware that connecting to the digital architecture will be a significant undertaking. It will typically require specialist resource and experience in order to meet the standards that MaPS sets. It could also deliver a lot of traffic to your systems and these will need to be available at any time. Your systems will need to be able to process requests within seconds. You should carefully consider all these aspects before deciding on the best solution for you.
Whichever approach you take, you remain accountable for ensuring your scheme is connected to dashboards on time and that it remains compliant. You should ensure robust processes are in place for the selection, appointment, management and replacement of any suppliers.
Preparing your data for connection
MaPS data standards set out the type, length and format requirements for key data (for example, how dates should be formatted), and you will need to ensure that your data is prepared in the correct format to connect smoothly. You will also need to prepare your data for matching and up-to-date value information of members’ pensions.
Connecting to the digital architecture
In order to connect your scheme to the digital architecture, MaPS will need to be satisfied you have met their standards.
If you are connecting the scheme directly, you will need to provide evidence, including through conformance testing and an IT health check, that you meet these standards. This process can take a long time so you should register your interest with MaPS as soon as possible.
If you are connecting your scheme through a third party, you will need to make sure that it meets MaPS standards, but you will not need to go through testing as the third party will do this with MaPS.
Whichever route to connection you choose, you will need to ensure that your scheme is registered with MaPS’ Governance Register. This will ensure the digital architecture is kept safe by only allowing regulated schemes to connect and that the required security and performance standards are met.
You must co-operate with requests made by MaPS about your connection and let them know if you face any barriers or connection issues.
When connection is complete, you should be able to:
- receive personal data on members (‘find requests’)
- use this data to find members’ pensions in your records (‘match’)
- provide pensions information to members via dashboards (‘respond to view requests’)