Canopy1_G-Cloud_Message Hub Service

The current Data Transport Appliance Managed Service continues to maintain the 382 dedicated servers and continues to allow DWP to share benefit data on a daily basis via a nightly batch run to Local Authorities.

This data is used to administer housing benefit, local council tax reduction and other similar benefits. Each day DWP transfers an encrypted customer information file to these DTA servers, physically located within the LA IT estate. LA staff then access these files using a web browser directed to their DTA.

This current share of information from DWP to Local Authorities is still business critical and operational continuity must be maintained, however the method linked to this process requires updating in line with new technological advances in the market. Moving forward to autumn 2015; data linked to the Universal Credit Payment Reduction Programme will also be required to be shared ‘back’ into DWP from the Local Authorities via the replacement service, which further heightens the importance and relevance of the ‘Message Hub’ service.

In terms of scale the department would expect a service equivalent with the capability of the existing service: