Q: How do I get a free 12-month subscription for the basic version of Civic.ly?
The 1st 100 councils to add 10 assets will get a free 12-month subscription.
Q: How much will the basic version of Civic.ly cost when the free subscription ends?
We are still working out pricing, and would appreciate any feedback. The current plan's basic version will start at £12 / month, which should meet the needs of small councils. Professional plan £39/month, Premium £99/month, with additional costs for more users and the mobile app.
Q: What happens if I decide not to continue using Civic.ly? Will I lose my data?
No, you won't. Our goal is to build an application that fully meets your needs through community collaboration and feedback. If Civic.ly does not align with your future needs, you will have the option to export all your data into a comprehensive spreadsheet. This export will include detailed asset information, such as latitude, longitude, and what3words addresses. Thus, even if you choose not to continue with Civic.ly, your effort in populating the app will still provide you with a valuable, detailed asset register.
Q: When does the 12-month free period for basic functionality begin?
The free period for early adopters began on May 1st, 2024, and will conclude on April 30th, 2025. During this time, you will have full access to all basic features of the Civicly App without any cost. Over the next few months, we will introduce further improvements to the basic tier, like bulk uploading and editing, designed to simplify the process of managing large numbers of assets efficiently. These improvements, along with a few others are part of our commitment to enhancing the basic functionalities at no additional cost during your initial free period.
Starting in Summer 2024, we will also begin offering our first set of paid add-ons, which will include advanced features to further support your asset management needs. These will be optional and designed to provide specialised functionalities that extend beyond the basic feature set. It's likely we won't be charging for the number of assets under management, this will be unlimited on all tiers.
Q: How long will the Beta testing phase last?
We are targeting the completion of the beta testing phase by the end of Summer 2024. While we don't have a specific end date, our timeline depends on the feedback we receive and the enhancements we plan to implement based on that feedback.
Q: Can you upload/transfer assets from the Asset Register in Scribe Accounts to Civic.ly?
Unfortunately, Civic.ly does not support uploading or transferring assets directly from the Asset Register in Scribe Accounts. The primary reason is that the asset register in Scribe Accounts is designed for financial purposes, such as insurance and box 10 of the AGAR. This register typically lacks the detailed information required for operational purposes, which is where Civic.ly excels.
For example, Scribe might list "15 benches" as a single asset, which suffices for financial records. However, Civic.ly requires each bench to be itemised with detailed information such as exact location, installation dates, inspection dates, and individual condition. This detailed data is essential for effective operational management and future financial planning.
We recommend using Civic.ly as an opportunity to create your asset register from scratch. By using a smartphone to take photos of each asset, you can automatically map their locations based on the photo metadata. This method ensures a highly accurate asset inventory that meets future operational needs. Additionally, we plan to leverage AI in the future to analyse high-quality photos, further enhancing the accuracy and usefulness of your asset data.
Q: Will Civic.ly integrate with Scribe Accounts?
A: Yes, integration with Scribe Accounts is planned and will be live by the end of the financial year 2025. While Scribe Accounts currently offers a basic asset register for AGAR (Annual Governance and Accountability Return), Civic.ly will take asset management further.
Civic.ly won’t just help you complete your AGAR by generating figures for Box 9 using the Purchase or Current Value of your assets; it will also handle inspections, maintenance jobs, and compliance. This integration will provide a comprehensive solution, streamlining both financial and operational management for your council.
Q: Are there any limits on the number of assets we can upload during the Beta testing program?
There are no restrictions on the number of assets you can upload. However, as we are still in the early stages of testing, we recommend starting with about 25 assets of various types. This approach will help us ensure stability, along with ensuring our asset types are correct. We advise against uploading your complete asset list at this stage, as upcoming features will include support for bulk uploads, making the process more efficient.
Q: How can I add new users to my council's account on Civic.ly?
It's very simple. Here's a dedicated guide for you to follow.
Q: How does this compare to parish online mapping?
Civic.ly is a daily operational tool to manage your inspections and maintenance of your assets. It's very easy to use and will be for office staff and maintenance staff (or contractors). It will remind and alert staff about upcoming inspections, so you never miss a beat. It will be possible for the public to raise defects. It will also enable you to track your carbon emissions in the future.
Civic.ly can be considered as an alternative solution to Parish Online. But Civic.ly is not a tool for planning, which is something parish online is great at.
Q: What devices do you need to run the app?
We don't have a mobile app built yet, but we plan to have something by the end of 2024, and it will run on iOS (iPhone) and Android devices (Samsung, Xiaomi etc..).
However, in the meantime, the "web app" works quite well on a mobile phone through the standard browser, as well as laptops and personal computers.