Changes to the Vendor Certification Program
The Certification Program has been of value over many years to vendors and agencies alike. Under this program, Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) certified commercial products against the requirements of VERS Version 2: PROS 99/007 Management of Electronic Records Standard.
We believe both agencies and vendors would benefit from a more flexible approach and have transitioned to VERS Version 3 VEO creation, using the new PROS 19/05 Create, Capture and Control Standard and Specifications.
What does this mean for your current products?
The phase out of the VERS Certification Program is being managed to minimise impact on products already certified under the current program.
Please be assured that:
- Products certified by PROV can continue to be purchased and used.
- Digital records transferred to PROV as VEOs from existing VERS Version 2 certified products will continue to be accepted.
Key dates
1 July 2021 – Assessment for product certification against the requirements of VERS Version 2 (PROS 99/007) has ceased.
1 July 2021 - VERS Version 3 VEO validation program has commenced.
1 July 2025 – Vendor self-certification of existing VERS Certified products against VERS Version 2 will cease.
VERS 3 VEO validation program
The VEO validation program tests Version 3 VERS Encapsulated Objects (VEOs) generated out of vendor systems upon request.
PROV conducts the test and validates the capability of commercial vendor systems to generate valid Version 3 VEOs in compliance with PROS 19/05 Specifications.
Vendor products that have been validated as being able to generate Version 3 VEOs are listed on the Commercial VEO Creation Products web page. (Please note that listing will commence once the first product has been assessed and validated.)
The Commercial VEO creation products page continues to list all products certified under PROV 99/007 as well as those validated for Version 3 VEOs under PROS 19/05.
System Self-Assessment
The PROV Recordkeeping Assessment Tool (RKAT) includes a module for self-assessment of systems against the requirements of the PROV recordkeeping standards. The module is accessible via the RKAT web page.
Vendors are encouraged to:
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Commencing VERS 3 VEO validation
Our technical development packages are available on the PROV VEO creation products page. They include tools to test and troubleshoot your VEOs as well as information on any forthcoming updates to products.
Vendors that have created commercial products capable of generating Version 3 VEOs in accordance with the requirements of PROS 19/05 Standard and Specifications are able to submit the VEOs to PROV for validation testing.
To commence the VERS 3 validation process, or to report any technical issues not addressed on the PROV VEO creation products web page, please contact us at assessment@prov.vic.gov.au