AU2011100649A4 - Compliance verification - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of checking whether stipulated criteria of service requirers (e.g. those requiring the services of contractors) are satisfied by such service providers (e.g. contractors). The method involves the use of a database on a primary computer system connected to the Internet. The method involves receiving required criteria of a service requirer, and receiving information from a service provider to show that the service provider satisfies the criteria. Then, information is obtained from an external source to verify whether the information from the service provider actually does show that the criteria are satisfied. This information is stored on the database and is selectively accessible by different service requirers, so that each can check whether a particular service provider satisfies the criteria for the respective services requirer.

Description

1 Field of the invention This invention aims to develop a high quality IT enhanced, affordable, end to end verification compliance and information service that will assist in delivering reduced 5 maintenance costs, minimise operational risk and improved business performance of customers. Summary of the invention 10 According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of checking whether stipulated criteria of service requirers are satisfied by a service provider, using a database on a primary computer system connected to the Internet, the method including the steps of: 1.1 receiving, from each of a plurality of service requirers, at least one 15 respective criterion to be satisfied by a service provider when providing service to the respective service requirer, and storing those details in the database; 1.2 receiving, from at least one service provider, service provider information, which is provided for indicating that the service provider satisfies the at least one criterion of each service requirer, and storing the service provider 20 information in the database; 1.3 obtaining status information from an external source for indicating whether or not the service provider information in relation to the or each criterion of each service requirer, indeed indicates that the service provider satisfies the relevant at least one criterion, and storing the status information in the database; and 25 1.4 enabling the plurality of service requirers to access the primary computer system to check the status information for the or each criterion. In a preferred embodiment, step 1.3 includes automatically communicating, by means of the primary computer system, via the internet, with at least one 30 predetermined remote computer system, and obtaining said status information from the at least one remote computer system. In a preferred embodiment, in step 1.4, each service requirer is permitted to check the status information of the service provider only in relation to the at least one 35 respective criterion received from that service requirer in step 1.1.

2 In a preferred embodiment, if there is a change to the status information of a service provider in relation to a said criterion, causing the primary computer system to send an electronic notification of that change to that service provider and each service requirer from which details of that criterion were received in step 1.1. 5 According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a verification system for checking whether stipulated criteria of service requirers are satisfied by a service provider, the verification system including a primary computer system and a database, wherein the verification system is adapted: 10 to receive, from each of a plurality of service requirers, details of at least one respective criterion to be satisfied by a service provider when providing service to the respective service requirer, and to store those details in the database; to receive, from at least one service provider, service provider information, which is provided for indicating that the service provider satisfies the at least one 15 criterion of each service requirer, and to store the service provider information in the database; to store, in the database, status information obtained from an external source for indicating whether or not the service provider information in relation to the or each criterion of each service requirer, indeed indicates that the service provider satisfies 20 the relevant at least one criterion, and to store the status information in the database; and to enable access, by the plurality of service requirers, to the primary computer system to check the status information for the or each criterion. 25 Brief description of the drawing A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying figure, which is a flow-diagram showing certain steps in a method according to an embodiment of the invention 30 Detailed description of preferred embodiments The description that follows relates to preferred embodiments of the invention discussed by way of example only. 35 3 The invention will involve the development of a unique on-line interactive web interface that will enable management of contractor and supplier (service provider) information for example including licence and insurance verification, legal data, safety and environmental management, training requirements, financial capacity, 5 rating and any additional customisable client (service requirer) pre-requisites for contractor and supplier engagement. The software will automate notification of any change in status and assist in the ongoing tracking and management of all compliance issues. 10 The invention not only allows for the owners of the data to continuously maintain their data for their individual clients but also allows for client specific data to be viewed by clients only. The process will allow for both legislative and client specific automatic on-line verification of data to be carried out by relevant third party sources who are authorised to approve and confirm this information. This assists in making the 15 invention extremely dynamic. Additionally it will support electronic data storage of all associated compliance documentation for client download as required. 20 Currently the process for compliance management is handled independently by each organisation in an ad hoc manner. There is no product on the market which allows for both effective client management of compliance and a centralised database for contractors and suppliers to store and effectively maintain their compliance needs and remain up to date. The invention would allow them to have information on hand 25 for all organisations requiring their services. This would greatly reduce the amount of rework for the contractors and suppliers. Their clients would also benefit by having a customisable invention which delivers them a management system that ensures that their suppliers and contractors are compliant and remain compliant during the entire term of engagement. Any non compliant would be automatically and immediately 30 identified for appropriate action. There may be a substantial cost saving for clients by removing the need to manage compliance in-house. These in house systems can be very slow and cumbersome as typical processes are project specific, require manual checking and are paper reliant 35 to some degree. Ad hoc laborious systems are developed and maintained in house by many organisations. The present invention will be a unique innovation bringing 4 synergies between businesses and contractor and supplier compliance and other information, together to provide an efficient and effective process. The on-line system contemplated by the invention will allow contractors and suppliers 5 to provide their data of information to meet client requirements. Any licences, insurances etc will be verified on-line electronically with third party via the use of web services or verified independently by an operator operating the invention. The invention goes even further, by having the flexibility of including a centralised 10 database, that can provide information required in business being sent electronically usually without the need to replicate data or provide copies of certificates, licences and other third party documentation. This verification development will be developed in two stages which initially will be 15 carried out via a scanning and blind data matching process ensuring human error is eliminated or minimised where on-line verification web services are not available. The invention will also be designed to monitor expiry status and any changes to the already verified data. An electronic notification process identifying a status change will also be incorporated in the invention features to ensure both client and contractor 20 and supplier are notified of these changes. The proposed electronic email notification goes again one step further in providing interaction and notification at a critical time to ensure notification of potentially high risk legal and/or client specific issues are avoided or minimised. Hence whilst the 25 invention may provide a dynamic up to date database, it goes much further in the areas of online compliance management adding a level far beyond what the Industry has experienced to date. Incorporated in the development of the invention will be the feature to enable live 30 verification direct from government, insurance and other relevant company databases, hence providing the ultimate live verification service. This will involve technical development by way of communication using web services links with information from an operator operating the invention and government agencies, insurance companies and other third-party databases. 35 5 What does the invention include and how does it identify compliance The invention allows the on-line collection of response data from contractors and suppliers that a client has specified by industry categories in order to satisfy that 5 client's compliance, risk management or other requirements. Automatically, if the same information or part of the information is required by another client of the supplier or contractor, this information can be viewed without the need for the contractor or supplier to provide this information again. Clients only see their 10 specific data, while the contractor and supplier will see all compliance, risk management or other requirements for all of their clients. In important feature of preferred embodiments of the invention is the feature of clients only seeing their specific information and the contractor or supplier only needing to provide the information once which is an important aspect of the data collection by a 15 client. The on-line verification allows a two-fold benefit of verification. Firstly verification details are automatically verified by third party databases through the use of a developed web service without the need for manual intervention. This allows instant and accurate verification of information as well as ensuring that licences, insurances, 20 ABN's, ACN's etc reflect the true and correct legal entity with their intended purpose. Secondly, these databases will communicate to the system of the invention and advise of any adverse events that may occur to a verification item, thus allowing contractor, supplier and client to be aware of update changes in events at the time which is most critical. 25 The system is able to collectively share both contractor and supplier information with both Government and the Private sector whilst maintaining stringent security protocols to ensure that only the relevant information of those Contractors and Suppliers that have given authorisation to individual Clients will be allowed to be 30 viewed. The Client on the other hand will be able to ensure full compliance with the requirements for engagement of individual contractors and suppliers and will not be confused by other details that have not been specifically requested.

6 How does the invention differ from other web-based, data-base or XML solutions? The difference of the invention is that the design is flexible, that is, questions are determined by the client and if the question is the same for another client it is reused. 5 Most other web-based systems are static and do not allow the use of data across users. The web services proposed are not developed in government agencies and will require the enabling of on-line verification not just from one third party agency but multiple at the same time. 10 The invention is about using the resources of large government databases and linking to these databases to enable a detailed profile of a contractor or supplier to be instantly confirmed and to make application for various certificates, licences, applications and membership by using the one customer profile. 15 For example, there is not a system in Australia that can verify that the Legal Entity, Trading Name, Structure, ABN and ACN all belong to the same legal entity. The system contemplated by the invention, at least in preferred embodiments, can assist in enabling this in an instant. 20 Preferred embodiments of the invention have the potential of setting the bench mark in Australia for not just compliance management but anytime where the same information is sought, clarified or verified as requested. They will also potentially greatly improve corporate governance by ensuring that compliance is easily verified and work performed is carried out by suppliers and or contractors who meet these 25 compliance standards. They will also assist in ensuring that for both Government and non Government organisations non-compliance can be detected earlier rather than later. Compliance will become more transparent and not suffer from the current time lag or difficulties associated with non-compliance and notification of this to the relevant users of that service. 30 The benefits would include: - Improved Leqal requirements for contractor management. Business relationships with suppliers and contractors are inherently risky. If 35 overlooked, such things as poor safety performance, loss of insurance, a negative 7 accident history, government safety or health citations, or bad environmental policies can lead to legal action and potentially large business losses. Collecting, managing and more importantly maintaining information up to date can reduce risk; however, it is costly and difficult to gather and almost impossible to maintain up to date. The 5 invention may provide an easy and cost-effective way to assess risk when dealing with suppliers and contractors. - Reduced operational Risk If you have a system which identifies and communicates non compliance as soon as 10 the relevant authority advises this and or Licenses, Certificates etc expire, then operational risk can be reduced by allowing both parties to take appropriate action to rectify the change in compliance status. - Reduced running costs. 15 From the client perspective it is proposed that the contractor/supplier will update the details and maintain the information hence the client needs only review information prior to engagement and or on automatic notification of change in status by the invention. This will reduce internal cost of people entering the data and monitoring expiry dates. 20 From a contractors/suppliers perspective the data is made available to all clients and needs only be entered once, or again on change in status or expiry. Hence the contractor will have a central up to date register available to all potential clients. 25 With a centralised database of information that can be viewed with different client views, the invention can be used to provide information already entered and maintained to endless client requirements (such applications, memberships, credit approvals or registrations) electronically thus saving time and money for both client and contractor/suppliers. 30 Outsourcing risk management tasks to an operator of the invention reduces the administrative cost of supplier/contractor - compliance data management and maintenance through the elimination of administrative labour costs and related expenses such as mailings, document management, and record storage. 35 8 - Independent Verification The system will electronically link to relevant authorities to verify the contractors/suppliers licences, insurance and other certificates are compliant. Hence although the contactor enters the data the verification to the client is completed 5 independently of the contractor. - Notification of change When important supplier and contractors status changes occur, the invention will involve sending an electronic notification of the changes to both the client and the 10 supplier or contractor. This will allow both parties to make necessary adjustments. Additionally, any status change is immediately identified by way of the invention and any electronically generated reports. Through this service, the invention may help to ensure that suppliers and contractors remain compliant throughout their contract period with their client and that the client receives adequate warning when a supplier 15 or contractors is nearing or has incurred a compliance status change. - Better response From the above process both client and contractor will be in a position to respond promptly to any compliance issues. 20 - Document and digital archiving Preferred embodiments of the invention will include flexible search and report capabilities that help save time by allowing a party to focus on only the data most relevant to the party's needs. All certificates, licences and other documentation will all 25 be made available electronically 24 hours a day. The invention will allow each contractor/supplier to store digital copies of all current compliance documents and for the clients to view or print these documents as required. 30 . Companies have more time to build relationships with Contractor and Suppliers Rather then committing time and money to managing the collation and ongoing maintenance of compliance data, the invention will allow the client to free up this cost 9 to improve and build relationships and to increase business opportunities, income and profit. 0 Free up time for hands on contractor management approach. 5 More time will be available to spend with the contractors value adding rather than checking, processing and or searching documentation for compliance. 0 Assist Suppliers and Contractors to manage their insurance, licenses and compliance issues for all Clients. 10 Suppliers and Contractors will be able to have multiple client associations as a result of the invention, and can have the same compliance data available to all. A central location for all their compliance needs make their management of Compliance far easier. 15 Whilst the focus is largely on compliance, the dynamics of the invention encompasses the ability for any form of information to be sourced from the data entered by the contractor or supplier, to be used to provide information for any application, membership etc electronically in a true B2B environment. 20 1. The invention does not only relate to a supplier registry service. It can also allow an individual, Partnership, Trust or Company to provide information to a client to determine if they meet that client's needs. This can be in the form of: - Pre-Qualification of Client determined needs " Tender Compliance 25 - Contract Compliance " Insurance Application - Membership Application - Any other form of application 30 2. The invention can be employed to enable Clients to determine Pre Qualification. It goes even further in that different Industry classifications (e.g. the ANZIC Industry codes) can have different prequalification requirements. 3. One of the many benefits of the invention is that a supplier and contractor can 35 "attach" themselves to a client and any information that has already been completed 10 by the supplier or contractor for a client, where the same information is also required by another client, is automatically provided to that other client. This saves the supplier or contractor replicating data for multiple clients both in government and industry. 5 4. A preferred embodiment of the invention has a provision for different types of external audit. This includes financial capacity, safety reviews, performance reviews etc. These audits can be provided by the client or an external party. What an embodiment of the invention does is to allow a third party who a client has agreed is 10 able to do the audit, to enter the audit result in a system used by or forming part of the invention, and attach their audit report, and based on the client requirements, display a status of whether that audit meets their requirements or not. This means that the auditor will enter their audit report directly in the system which allows clients to view the report and for the supplier/contractor to review the report. This same 15 procedure may be followed for all audits/reviews. 5. Using the embodiments of the invention may quicken the time for completion of financial capacity reports, because as soon as the financial information is entered by the supplier and contractor, the auditor receives an automatic email advising them 20 to log in to a computer system used by or forming part of the invention and commence their audit. An Auditor/Reviewer only views that information that a client has determined is required to undertake the audit. The auditor/reviewer would still deal directly with contractors and suppliers on resolution of any issues that arise. 25 6. One of the important aspects of an embodiment of the invention is that a client determines what information provided by supplier and contractor is to be subject to checking. An embodiment of the invention may involve innovative use of web services that allows information provided by third party databases (such as government and insurance companies) to be automatically verified on-line and 30 instantaneously as true and correct. Some of these services are licences, insurances, ACN, ABN, Legal Entity etc. The use of web services also eliminates the potential of fraud in supplying paper documents. 35 11 Existing Systems There is considerable difference in what is being proposed with the present invention and what currently exists. 5 . Currently the only compliance tool available consists of individual organisations doing their own verification and maintaining a compliance status. In the case of construction companies it is repeated on every project and in the case of manufacturers it is maintained generally via a once a year annual check of current 10 contractors and/or at a time of engaging a new contractor. - The data is stored mostly in paper format; however some organisations have electronic formats which are not readily updated or checked for accuracy of content. 15 - Contractors currently do not manage this data well and spend enormous amounts of time repeating a similar exercise for every client who wishes to engage their services. - Contractors and Suppliers replicate the provision of information for a multitude of 20 applications, thus providing for huge compliance costs. - The current processes adopted by both clients and contractors do not generally provide for any warning or reminder in relation to renewal or expiry of licenses and certificates. 25 . Access and checking of current data cannot be performed by the contractor nor can it be updated once and made available to all clients. - Clients also cannot access the current data from any location where internet 30 facilities are available. Detailed below is a table highlighting differences in current methods and those contemplated/desired for embodiments of the present invention. 35 12 Points of Current systems Present invention differentiation Data storage Ad hoc and local Systematic and centralised Data access Limited 24/7 from almost anywhere. Accuracy High risk of change in Compliance is compliance not identified facilitated/maintained and or client and contractor made aware of non-compliance by way of electronic notifcation. Integrity of Information Relies on copy of certificates On-line verification with third provided by contractor or party databases reduces or supplier negates risk of fraud as the information confirmed is what is held by third party databases Contractor access for Nil until requested by client 24 hours per day 7 days per checking and updating week. New compliance Lengthy detailed and costly System update and electronic e requirements process mail notification to relevant parties. System identified as non-compliant until information is updated Contractor able to Repeat entire exercise with Create association with new provide same new client. This includes client and update records for compliance information making contact, any additional information to another potential understanding compliance previously not requested by client requirements, filling out existing client base. necessary paper work and asking client to process Risk of using non- High Almost Zero compliant contractor Cost of maintaining and Very high Minimal - economy of scale managing process Search and report Almost Nil or manual The technology will have flexible generation capabilities only exist. search and report capabilities that help one to save time by allowing one to focus on only the data most relevant to one's 13 needs. Certificates, licences and other documentation is all available electronically 24 hours a day Document recall Manual search for paper Electronic document certificates management and digital archiving adopted Utilising XML and XSLT enables personalisation of the contractor/supplier information for each individual Client. XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a less complex, more concise dialect of the larger more complex SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language). In the 5 simplest terms XML uses syntax tags to identify various types of data in a file. XML makes it very easy for various programs to extract data because the tags conform to particular models. XSLT can generate a file different in structure from the original. This is especially 10 useful in areas like ecommerce, for example, where a customer's input, like name, credit card number, dollar amount, etcetera, is pushed through a series of system programs in the processing of payment. The transforming function of XSLT is unhindered by rendering needs, and solely concerned with moving data successfully between networks and programs for processing purposes. In an age where 15 exchange of information is in such high demand XML is an obvious choice over HTML. The personalisation means that the contractor/supplier is only providing specific information that are for a client's requirements rather than a broad brush one size fits 20 all approach. There may be sensitive data that a contractor/supplier needs to have collected and supplied to a client, which is not appropriate for or required by another client. This use of XML and XSLT technology thus allows the personalised development of client information forms for use by the contractor/supplier which then can be sent electronically and imported in the client's own databases. 25 Embodiments of the invention incorporates the development and utilisation of Web Services and an orchestration layer to enable automated integration to disparate 14 authoritative sources, with disparate communications requirements, for the confirmation of the contractor/supplier information, without the necessity of human intervention. 5 Orchestration Layer: The Orchestration Layer accepts user requests and manages the fulfilment of these requests. A single input request may trigger a complex sequence of events that access multiple data sources, transform message formats, and handle exceptions and conditional events, and so on. Orchestration involves defining and subsequently managing the process state and state transitions needed 10 to accomplish a given business activity instance for a user application. The use of web services allows for universal cross-applications communications without the need to address the difference in language or architecture used by government or industry databases. Web services may be regarded as the enterprise 15 software sector's attempt to let their software tools use and communicate with each other for decades to come. The software sector began working on web services about 6 years ago, and after a few false starts it settled on a group of standards. Their aim was to allow applications 20 to work collaboratively in a system-building framework called Services Orientated Architecture. Web services have let software vendors agree on the alphabet for applications to talk to each other but not the language. 25 The invention may involve inquiring from hundreds of different government and third party databases to confirm the integrity of data provided by contractor/suppliers to meet client requests thus providing the language required. 30 Utilising thin-client technology and techniques which remove the necessity of multiple provision of information to separate clients, will enable a single view for a contractor of their information, while supporting varying views of contractors according to individual client's requirements. 35 The on-line third party data matching integration involved in embodiments of the invention may be of national benefit as it may enable governments and other 15 verifying organisations to ensure that licensing, insurance, Workers Comp and other certificate checks are carried out in an exact and timely error free manner rather than the ad hoc current paper process. 5 Current servicing and general enquiry responses by these departments may be considerably reduced also. Clients and their registered suppliers and contractors would have little need other than to refer to current compliant data captured by way of the invention. 10 In detail the verification compliance process will ensure that companies who adopt the invention may be able to confidently determine the current status of all contractors and suppliers including - Personal details 15 - Insurance - Licensing - Legal data - References - Historical Statistics 20 - Safety practices - Safety program - Safety supervisors - Safety meetings, evaluations and meeting - Substance abuse testing 25 - Accident/Incident reporting and investigation - Chemical and material safety - Respiration protection - Emergency protocols - OHS registration 30 - Training requirements; 16 " Financial information - Other Client specified criteria Embodiments of the invention may provide commercial incentives especially for 5 larger organisations that may benefit from using the invention. By adopting the invention, they may contribute additionally to achieving the following National outcomes. " Reduced injury related absenteeism, 10 - Reduced lost time resulting from injuries, The above points fall within the same discussion relating to the dynamics and access availability of the invention. There will be much more transparency in the process 15 adopted for safety and meeting the requirements of clients. These may be consistent and available for all contractors and suppliers within the system. Alerts identifying unsafe and/or near misses could be posted on the system making these available to all instantaneously. Additional risk management may be improved as contractors/suppliers who have not met the legislative and or client specific 20 compliance pre-requisites will be identified and alerted to all parties instantaneously. This will allow a level of additional weeding out of rogue contractors and/or suppliers who typically are generally at higher risk of increasing injury due to unsafe practices. - Increased productivity. 25 Extending the above discussion, improved productivity is a function of not only safer working conditions but also ensuring that measures put in place can be met whilst having the confidence that the process for measuring the output is relatively simply. Embodiments of the invention may bring non-conformance to the attention of the client rather than the client having to search for this information. These measures 30 generally relate to the ability of contractors and suppliers to perform the required tasks without compromise of quality and/or safety. These generally lead to a more professional and consistent workforce. The invention may provide for simple bench marking of contractors and suppliers and may force the level of performance to improve. 35 17 - Improved environmental controls This is a key attribute of the aspects of the invention. The environmental measures will again become dynamic as notification of any non-compliance and resulting expiry of certificates or licences will be instantaneous to all parties. In addition the third party 5 audit facility will allow for clients to maintain a strict control of additional important compliance requirements through the one stop shop approach. There will no longer be a need to check various internal systems which could be dependant on numerous internal staff to maintain and update. The client sets the rules and it is up to the contractors and suppliers to demonstrate that they have met these requirements. 10 Again any non-compliance is alerted and is not reliant on the client's irregular checking to determine non-compliance by contractors or suppliers. - Reduce fraudulent licensing issues The invention may provide for the capacity to check ABN, ACN, and Legal Entity 15 name and structure direct with ASIC. It is then these same details that will need to match to any issued licence or certificates provided, as evidence of compliance, hence current practice of fraudulent sharing of licenses may become impossible or at least much more difficult. Through the use of the specially developed web services verification, the invention may eliminate licence fraud. 20 - Ensure insurances are current and adequate to protect workers The invention may provide for the capacity to set client specific and or legislative specific thresholds for cover. Hence contractors and suppliers attaching themselves to multiple clients will be able to check that they meet all or only some of their client's 25 threshold insurance cover requirements. It may make identification of non compliance transparent and further highlight this to both parties responsible for adhering to the insurance protection requirements. This includes notification, by way of the invention, regarding the expiry of cover. This may be handled via direct e-mails prior to expiry as well as upon expiry to both parties identifying the issue of 30 continuing to work without the appropriate cover. A full audit trail may be captured by the invention to handle incidents that may occur between expiry of insurance certificates and issuing of new insurance certificates. 35 18 Reduction in red tape The inventions involves a central database of contractor and supplier information which allows selected viewing by clients. This enables the single provision of data so that any information required for applications, memberships or other required forms 5 can be provided and sent electronically without the need to search and copy the same information. The contractor or supplier therefore can view what additional information not contained in the database is required to meet the client's specifications.

Claims (5)

1. A method of checking whether stipulated criteria of service requirers are satisfied by a service provider, using a database on a primary computer system 5 connected to the Internet, the method including the steps of: 1.1 receiving, from each of a plurality of service requirers, at least one respective criterion to be satisfied by a service provider when providing service to the respective service requirer, and storing those details in the database; 1.2 receiving, from at least one service provider, service provider 10 information, which is provided for indicating that the service provider satisfies the at least one criterion of each service requirer, and storing the service provider information in the database; 1.3 obtaining status information from an external source for indicating whether or not the service provider information in relation to the or each criterion of 15 each service requirer, indeed indicates that the service provider satisfies the relevant at least one criterion, and storing the status information in the database; and 1.4 enabling the plurality of service requirers to access the primary computer system to check the status information for the or each criterion. 20

2. A method according to claim 1 where step 1.3 includes automatically communicating, by means of the primary computer system, via the internet, with at least one predetermined remote computer system, and obtaining said status information from the at least one remote computer system. 25

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, in step 1.4, each service requirer is permitted to check the status information of the service provider only in relation to the at least one respective criterion received from that service requirer in step 1.1. 30

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein, if there is a change to the status information of a service provider in relation to a said criterion, causing the primary computer system to send an electronic notification of that change to that service provider and each service requirer from which details of that criterion were received in step 1.1. 35 20

5. A verification system for checking whether stipulated criteria of service requirers are satisfied by a service provider, the verification system including a primary computer system and a database, wherein the verification system is adapted: 5 to receive, from each of a plurality of service requirers, details of at least one respective criterion to be satisfied by a service provider when providing service to the respective service requirer, and to store those details in the database; to receive, from at least one service provider, service provider information, which is provided for indicating that the service provider satisfies the at least one 10 criterion of each service requirer, and to store the service provider information in the database; to store, in the database, status information obtained from an external source for indicating whether or not the service provider information in relation to the or each criterion of each service requirer, indeed indicates that the service provider satisfies 15 the relevant at least one criterion, and to store the status information in the database; and to enable access, by the plurality of service requirers, to the primary computer system to check the status information for the or each criterion.