2023 Year In Review

Owned by Sanket Shrestha
Last updated: Jan 05, 2024
4 min read

As Meshed Group wrapped up 2023 on a high note, we are thrilled to look back at our success stories of last year. Meshed Group continued to listen to their valuable clients and added new features and enhanced existing features to improve user experience. Meshed Group added features to make platform more secure, optimized platform to make it fast, added features related to compliance based on the changes at government end, and did enhancements in other system areas. Given below are highlights of our remarkable achievements and progress in 2023:

Integration of Meshed Platform with TCSI API for PIR Reporting

The PIR reporting can now be done from the Meshed system using API.  The preferred TCSI reporting submission method uses automated processes known as business-to-government (B2G) application programming interfaces (APIs) and authentication with PRODA (Provider Digital Access). APIs send data from a provider's student management system to the government with a minimum of manual processing and enable student management software to interact in near real-time. 

The Provider Information Request (PIR) is a request for information under Section 28 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act).

 Reporting via API has the following advantages:

  • Real-time data reporting and validation- No need to wait for the response file. 

  • No need to manually extract data and prepare reports. 

  • Updates and deletions can also be made in real time. 

  • Data can be sent to TCSI when it is ready and there is no need to wait till the year-end to submit data. 

  • Data reporting and error fixing is faster as everything is based on the Meshed platform. 

  • Reduced need to log into the TCSI data entry portal and view, edit or report data. 

Note: TCSI reporting is only applicable for providers offering higher educational courses. If the provider only offers VET, ELICOS or PY courses, no TCSI reporting is needed.

Security Improvement: Multi-Factor Authentication Implementation

Meshed Group implemented Multi-Factor Authentication, or MFA to add an extra layer of security in sign-in process of Meshed Platform. MFA is an added layer of user verification and security that requires not only user’s password but also another form of identification i.e. a one-time code sent to user’s email address. This MFA feature helps protect user account by making it much more difficult for unauthorized users to access your data.

The MFA feature is optional, however when activated will allow the “Sadmin” role the responsibility and capability to either enable MFA systemwide for any users wanting to access the system. Once MFA has been enabled the user will receive an OTP (One-Time-Password) code in their email address, the user will need to enter the OTP code to log into the Meshed system.

Compliance Enhancement

Given below are enhancements done in TCSI reporting and Avetmiss reporting to comply with new changes required by the government:

TCSI

  • TCSI Staff-related data packets were developed and implemented for the reporting of full-time and casual-time staff data.  

  • Early Exit Award packet was implemented to allow the reporting of exit/nested award courses completed by the students to TCSI. 

  • Developed and implemented the Course-Prior packet to report additional RPLs or credits offered as a part of the student course admissions. 

  • Development and Implementation of the AOU sub-packet for unit enrolment which can now be sent as an extension with the main unit enrolment packet. The AOU packet is used to report load and amount data for multiple academic organisational units for a unit enrolment.  

  • A new report was added on the TCSI reporting interface to extract the reported data to TCSI for Student, Course Admission and Unit Enrolment packets. 

AVETMISS 

  • State funding source codes were updated for TAS, ACT, VIC, and  SA as per the departmental guidelines

  • Specific Funding Identifiers for NCVER reporting were updated as per the national reporting guidelines. 

  • RAPT files updated as per the WA reporting guidelines to TAMS files. 

  • Updates to NAT00120 file for Client Tuition Fee to align with the SVTS reporting guidelines. 

Xero Integration Enhancement

The Xero Integration has been enhanced to cover Bonus that are paid to Agents. The bonus applied along with the Agent Commission will be pushed to Xero as a new line item in the Agent Bill.  

The bonus can be processed to Xero in two sections at Meshed:  

  • While processing the agent commission as deducted along with the Commission from “Student Payment Summary page”, Bill is created with Agent Commission and Agent Bonus, and both marked as Paid. 

  • When processing the agent commission and bonus later through the “Agent Commission” page, Bill is created with Agent Commission and Agent Bonus. 

Canvas Integration Enhancement

Canvas Integration has been enhanced to cover the Import of Subject Final Outcome from Canvas to Meshed platform. This adds value to the clients who only want to manage the assessments in Canvas, not in Meshed platform. Client will not have to push the assessments from Meshed to Canvas either. This is an alternative to our conventional approach of sending assessments to Canvas and importing back the assessment results only. With this feature, client can specify when the subject results need to be imported to Meshed and be updated in Meshed if anything changes in Canvas within the predefined date range. 

3D Secure for PayWay Payment Gateway

Meshed Group has developed a 3D Secure authentication feature for the PayFee feature.  

This will work with the PayWay gateway (Westpac Bank) that is using the REST API method.   

As security is paramount, we need to ensure that the payment is done in a safe and secure manner, and as a part of the strong authentication, PayWay offers 3D Secure Authentication protocol which have been incorporated in the Meshed PayFee feature using this gateway. This authentication method challenges the transactions and payment details entered by a student/applicant while making the payment. If the challenge is failed, then it will deny the payment process. This is also recorded in the PayFee report in Meshed, and Transaction History in PayWay Gateway Portal.