The Quartz System
The Quartz information system has been developed by Portico
Consulting to support the entire lifecycle of learning and
qualification development and the recognition and certification
of achievement. It builds on experience gained through
working with over 30 awarding bodies during the last 10 years.
Quartz supports the management of qualifications and other
programmes of learning. It provides a comprehensive range of
functionality for awarding bodies to support all aspects of
their operations, including the development and administration
of unit-based qualifications, with full support for credit-based
and non-credit-based models. Quartz is fully compliant with
national standards and fully integrated with relevant national
systems.
Quartz has been developed as a scalable solution to provide a
practical and comprehensive system at an affordable level for
both large and small organisations. It offers many
potential business benefits, including cost savings, improved
customer service, and support for QA and regulatory
requirements.
Quartz Functionality
Comprehensive and in depth
Quartz offers functionality to support core and additional
operational areas of the work of awarding bodies. Its range of
functionality is comprehensive, but also in depth: that is,
functions are not just superficially present, but have extra
features and capabilities which have evolved from our work with
a wide range of awarding organisations.
Functionality built in, not bolted on
Quartz is intended to provide the vast majority of functions
required to run a modern awarding body’s operations. These
include: unit/qualification development and unit bank; built-in
document management; built-in Microsoft Office integration;
built-in CRM capability; and built-in support for key business
processes including event management and centre approvals.
There are no add-on modules required - all the functionality
described is included in the Quartz product. (Customer support
and regular system upgrades are also included in the Quartz
licence).
National initiatives and standards
Quartz has a unit based model at the core of its design. It
supports national initiatives by fully implementing a unit and
credit-based model for programmes and qualifications (non-credit
based working is also supported). It is compliant with
Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and Credit and
Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) and other key national
initiatives including compliance with MIAP data definitions (the
CDD), use of the Unique Learner Number (ULN) and credit transfer
requirements (already providing integrated submission of results
for CABs and DABs to the DAS). The Quartz qualifications
facility builds qualifications which are compliant with the QCF
web-based accreditation system, and includes integrated
submission of results to the Personal Learning Record (PLR).
Support - Ensuring the best use of Quartz
We help our clients to get the very best value from their use
of Quartz by providing a range of services to assist them in the
initial implementation of Quartz and then throughout their
ongoing use. This includes project management, data
migration from old systems, integration to other local systems
(e.g. finance), configuration to meet local branding and
processes, training and documentation, and helpdesk support.
Quartz Clients
The following organisations are using the Quartz system:
- Ascentis is both a QCA approved national
awarding body and a Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)-licensed
Access Validating Agency for Access to Higher Education.
- ActiveIQ is a dynamic Awarding Body within
the Active Leisure sector designing qualifications that
support clearly defined career pathways relevant to health,
fitness, sport and recreation.
- University of the Arts London Awarding
Body (UAL) - is a new awarding body offering specialist
qualifications in the Arts, Design and Communication Sector.
- Lantra Awards is the awarding body arm of
the Lantra Sector Skills Council and specialises in
qualifications and training for people in the land-based and
environmental sector.
- Agored Cymru is an awarding organisation
in the QCF which also operates within the Quality Assured
Lifelong Learning (QALL) Pillars of CQFW and develops
qualifications that are uniquely tailored to meet the needs
of learners in Wales.
- BHEST is a Government recognised Awarding
Body for a range of qualifications in the racing, breeding,
equine and farriery industries.
Further organisations have chosen Quartz and will go live
during 2010:
- South Eastern Region Open College Network (OCNSER)
- London Region Open College Network (OCNLR)
- East Midlands Region Open College Network (OCNEMR)
- North West Region Open College Network (OCNNWR)
Quartz website
Click here to open the Quartz web site.
|
