Transforming legacy processes into a modern digital service
The National Park Authority’s legacy Microsoft Access-based registration database could no longer support the scale, compliance and usability requirements of Scotland’s busiest inland waterway.
The challenge extended beyond replacing the old system, it required a full digital transformation that streamlined vessel registration, modernised payments, supported staff working in the field, delivered optimised byelaw enforcement processes (to ISO 10008) and delivered a trusted user experience.
Key requirements included GDPR compliance, resilience under legal scrutiny and the ability to integrate seamlessly with both e-commerce and physical retail systems for boat launch passes and permits. Delivery was also subject to design audit by the Scottish Digital Assurance Office for compliance with Scot Gov Digital Service Standard
We delivered a digital-first platform designed around user needs and GDS standards. At its core, the system simplified vessel registration and made compliance effortless for the public.
But the wider transformation lay in enabling the NPA to operate as a modern, service-oriented authority:
We streamlined the park’s enforcement processes by providing roaming mobile access to a digital violation management system that makes it easier for the parks rangers to manage and report byelaw violations while maintaining ISO10008 compliance.
Stripe Terminal integration provided a seamless payment experience for both online e-commerce transactions and in-person retail sales, ensuring that boat owners could pay for launches, permits and multi-launch passes anytime online or in-person.
Staff gained mobile access to real-time registration and payment data, while robust audit trails, secure identity verification through Yoti, and GDPR compliance strengthened governance. This created a single, transparent service spanning digital, operational, and retail environments.
The new platform has successfully transformed the way the NPA operates, replacing paper and legacy systems with an integrated digital service.
It has automated registrations, improved efficiency and given staff modern tools to manage compliance in the field.
Stripe Terminal’s e-commerce and retail integration bridged online and physical payments, enhancing both convenience for users and revenue assurance for the Authority.
With mobile-first design, secure payments and extensible architecture, the system now provides a scalable foundation for future services and innovations, positioning the NPA as a leader in digital transformation within the natural environment sector
