UK Link System

What is UK Link?

UK Link connects the complex information, technology and communications systems that are essential to the successful competitive retail gas market in Britain. The suite, which is used and managed by us in our role as Central Data Service Provider (CDSP), ensures the industry operates smoothly, effectively and efficiently, and in accordance with the Uniform Network Code (UNC). 

The component parts of UK Link are: 

• Core SAP system application
• Information Exchange (IX/CIX) – industry file transfer mechanism
• Xoserve Services Portal (XSP) – Access controls and digital service access
• Workflow interfaces
  • UK Link Portal within XSP
  • Contact Management Service (CMS)
• Additional UK Link services:
  • Data Discovery Platform (DDP) – data visualisation
  • SwitchStream – file adapter service
• Client partner services:
  • Gas Enquiry Service (GES) within XSP – delivered by Xoserve on behalf of RECCo
  • Gemini – delivered by Xoserve on behalf of National Gas

We support and manage the evolution of UK Link through our regular UK Link Releases, and Project Trident.

As part of our Change Programme, it assures the UK Link System for the future, effectively responding to the challenging, fluid and exciting demands of the gas market of Great Britain. 

Accessing UK Link

Access to UK Link is through the Xoserve Services Portal.

Only authorised users can use UK Link. 

Authorised user groups

Authorised user groups of the UK Link System include:

• Ofgem
• UNC parties
• Meter readers
• User agents
• Delivery facility operators and connected system operators
• Meter Asset Providers
• Meter Asset Managers

To gain access to UK Link, your Local Security Officer (LSO) will need to complete a Secure Site Access Request Form. You can find this on our Accessing secured documents webpage.

Access for third parties

Access can also be provided for third parties who don't fall into any of the authorised user groups. Users will need to sign the UK Link User Agreement. 

If you require access to the UK Link System, please email us. 

List of UK Link organisations

This document contains the latest list of organisations that are registered in our UK Link System. Organisations such as Shippers, Traders, Suppliers, Meter Asset Managers, Meter Asset Providers, Automated Meter Reading Service Providers and Smart Metering System Operators.

Data Permissions Matrix (DPM)

The UK Link DPM is the register of data items held in our Central Data Service Provider (CDSP) systems that each user type is entitled to access.

The supporting DPM Conditionality Document provides a summary of the DPM user types, and details any specific conditionality agreed by the DSC Contract Management Committee (CoMC) when allowing user types access to data.

Priority 1 (critical files) within UK Link

This document shows a list of file types that have been classified as Priority 1 (P1) files. These are files that are subject to a service level agreement, or form part of a time-bound process, where a delay in the processing of the file could cause process failures.

During planned outages, or when a system failure occurs, we consider these files when planning catch-up activities and when we make priority calls to process any backlogs.