Electronic Filing Software Service Update - May 2009

Software Changes 

The XML Gateway provides online access over the internet into Companies House databases, for customers to submit as well as to retrieve company information via their own applications or web pages.

Removal of the TAG Service

It is extremely important that customers note that although Companies House is still operating its “Tag-based” Software Filing for existing customers, this will not continue.

The “Tag-based” service functionality will cease on 1st October 2009 and no further filing will be possible via this route. 

The XML Input Service is live and customers are filing 1985 Act documents. The test service is available for both 1985 Act and the forthcoming 2006 Act form types.

Companies Act 2006

The final implementation of the Companies Act 2006 will take place on 1st October 2009. At this time a new range of form types will be introduced for events that take place on or after the implementation date.

In preparation for this we are pleased to be able to provide an updated Draft of the 2006 XML Technical Interface Specification, Draft Schemas and Test Service and we urge customers to begin the migration as soon as possible to ensure that they prepared.

Although we cannot guarantee that small changes may be required before the live implementation, the schemas are stable for customers to develop against.

XML Test Accounts

If customers have not already set up their Test Accounts for XML then they need to do so before they can use the test service.

Please forward: Customer Name, Company Name, Address, Telephone No and email address, to the contact details below for the test account to be set up.

Testing Slots

To ensure that the maximum level of support is available to presenters, we are offering specific testing slots during the period leading up to the October implementation.

These will be periods of a month each running May, June, July or August. We therefore, invite customers to book their particular testing period well in advance to ensure their needs are fully met.  

When customers have completed testing they will be provided with a new Package Reference specific the XML route of filing.

Further Information, Documentation or Testing

Draft Schemas and Technical Interface Specification are available from Marie Connors, Customer Liaison Manager  - mconnors@companieshouse.gov.uk  - who can also arrange a test account or book a testing slots for the new 2006 Act form types.