In order to inform Dutch entrepreneurs of the relevant changes in legislation, the Dutch PSC – answers for business - created two native apps. These are:
https://itunes.apple.com/nl/app/nieuwewetten/id575932941?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.agonlohaj.nieuwewetten
The app is an alerting service that notifies entrepreneurs of upcoming changes in legislation, licensing and grants.
After installing the app, the user can subscribe to relevant subjects. He will then receive notifications of changes in the legislation concerning these subjects.
Users can also configure reminders in relation to the date of effectiveness: alerts can be sent 2 months, 2 weeks and 1 day before. Of course, the user will also receive an alert on the day the law is effected.
The app is only available in Dutch.
Policy Context
The app was created by Answers for Business. This unit resides under the Ministry of Economic affairs and is placed within the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
Its mission is to inform all entrepreneurs about the rules and regulations in the Netherlands.
Furthermore it is the Dutch Point of Singe Contact, under the EU Services Directive.
Description of target users and groups
All Dutch entrepreneurs (2012: 9,6% of adult population). Small businesses, self-employed, big businesses and intermediaries can use the apps, either iOS or Android driven.
Description of the way to implement the initiative
Responsibility for Answers for Business and all its implementations lies with the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Ministry has delegated the execution to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Day tot day management and further development is led by a specialised – multidiscipline - unit.
One of the key success factors of the project is the ability of the agency to stay in touch with user demands and new technologies. Since the subject - rules and regulations – is not a priority in the minds of their target group, it is the unit’s priority to make the information as easily accessible as possible.
Technology solution
Both iOS and Android driven apps use an xml feed that is supplied by the Answers for business website. This website uses a open source Content management system (Drupal).
This provides the content for the apps and triggers the notification systems, that rely on local servers as well as Apple and Google servers to deliver the alerts to all users and systems.
Both apps also have a small proprietary content management system for the in-app text.
Technology choice: Proprietary technology, Standards-based technology, Mainly (or only) open standardsMain results, benefits and impacts
This app greatly reduced the time an entrepreneur needs to keep informed of relevant legislation.
Return on investment
Return on investment: Not applicable / Not availableTrack record of sharing
Answers for business complies with Dutch governmental guidelines for open source software development. The software developed by the Dutch government is available for re-use by all others (within security guidelines).
Lessons learnt
- Multiplatform development increases complexity for changes and further development
- Notifications are reliant on high end server configuration, but are also dependent on the main app platforms: Apple and Google Play. Take this into account.
- New releases are dependent on the platforms and their processes and affect timing.