Refugee Information Processing System

Refugee Information Processing System (RIPS)

The Refugee Information Processing System (RIPS) is a refugee case management system for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and law firms who provide legal aid and other services to refugees. It is a cloud/web-based system to standardize and secure refugee case management. RIPS allows organizations to keep track of client information and increases the effectiveness of data organization and coordination. It can be adapted to the specific needs of the user.

The software has been used by law firms and NGOs to manage more than 500,000 refugee cases in the UK, Ecuador, Egypt, Malaysia, Mexico, Tanzania, and Thailand. RIPS has been designed and developed by UK software company Applied Network Solutions.

History of RIPS

RIPS case management system was originally developed by software company Applied Network Solutions for the UK government in 1995, who needed an efficient tool for processing refugees.

Since RIPS was first developed in 1995, Applied Network Solutions managing director David Johnston and the team have been continually adapting the software to suit users’ increasingly complex needs.

How does RIPS work?

RIPS is a data processing system that can be installed onsite or in the cloud. It comprises RIPS Manager and RIPS Web.

  • Client information
  • Directories where electronic records are kept for your clients
  • Services offered to clients
  • Activities associated with each service
  • Caseworkers/staff and associated access permissions to client information
  • Teams and team leaders
  • Contact types
  • Dependents
  • Additional information 
  • Reports and report groups

Security

It is username and password protected and only provides access to a caseworker’s respective cases. Access can be restricted to those cases of the individual caseworker or to a team of caseworkers, as required. This is managed through RIPS Manager.

Reporting

RIPS includes a very useful reporting function, which enables organizations to generate reports for all manner of purposes. If you want to create your own personalized report designs, you can also purchase Report Designer from Applied Network Solutions or Open Text.

Tracking

  • RIPS allows you to register your clients and record all the necessary client demographics, which have been configured through RIPS Manager.

  • A caseworker can register details of all activities and engagement made with their clients. You can instantly see a history of all activities undertaken with a specific client to ensure that cases are handled efficiently.

  • The caseworker may not be able to see all the details if they do not have the right privileges, but they will be able to see those details tagged as ‘public’.

  • RIPS enforces a strict control over what caseworkers can see based on their team membership to ensure confidential information is private. Team leaders can also see the details of all cases relating to the caseworkers within their teams so that they can offer training, assistance and management support where required.

Benefits of RIPS: tech for good

  • RIPS protects clients, caseworkers and all their data from inappropriate attacks.
  • RIPS improves quality of case management processes and encourages appropriate work flows, quality of service and time management – leading to positive outcomes for cases.
  • Increases efficiency and productivity.
  • Provides ongoing reports – to cover, for example, key business metrics and other management information. This is a very important facility as funders often require this to confirm their money is being well spent.
  • RIPS increases efficiency and therefore makes processing refugee cases more cost-effective.

Robust storage of refugee data

RIPS provides a robust and secure method of storing client information both on and off-site. Off-site data is managed by Applied Network Solutions’ experienced IT experts in the UK, while confidentiality of subscribers is maintained. Applied Network Solutions retains the information online to the database and backs up the data on a daily basis to a removable, external hard disc which will restore the data if the live database were to get wiped out by ransomware. 

In short, RIPS case management system enables caseworkers to easily track and record things, pass cases over to other caseworkers in a timely and professional manner, spot gaps in information and generate reports for courts, lawyers, public authorities, and others.

Currently, NGOs contribute with an annual fee to the running costs based on the number of caseworker users. The fee covers the leased lines that allow data to be stored on the cloud in the UK, and also ensures the provision of support as case problems evolve.

If you would like the software installed onsite, a set up fee is payable and you will be given assistance to download and install RIPS onsite. 

Training from the RIPS Support and Development team can also be provided via telephone, email, Team Viewer, WebEX or Skype. Staff costs are to be covered by the NGO for the number of working days required for training. Support is available 5 days a week during office hours (UK time) with additional service levels for extended hours if required. 

More Information

For more information about how RIPS can help your organization and to request an online demonstration, email: david.johnston@answeb.co.uk