[SIMS] Potential problems

[X-13]

During BETT our head of IT looked at SIMS and seemed to br swayed by them.

I've heard a lot of bad things about them, but can anyone separate the fact from the fiction?

What sort of problems have you encountered? How did you fix it? Did it take ages or was it a small thing?

Personally, I'd rather they weren't getting SIMS, but that isn't my decision to make.

[Steve21]

I think a lot of it depends what you're referring to as in issues. Yes there are lots of issues with it, but "more often than not" if it's affecting lots of users it'll be fixed quickly, and there's a large documentation as lots of users.

Think of it like Windows, How many KBs are there for it, but if someone goes wrong there's generally one available

Steve

[crt404]

Agree with Steve21. SIMS does have some issues with it. However, every time (in my experience), Capita have done a good job at producing site specific patches, and if it is a wider spread issue, are good at holding their hands up and admitting it.
I wouldn't have said the same about Sims Learning Gateway though - no end of troubles!

[GREED]

During BETT our head of IT looked at SIMS and seemed to br swayed by them.

I've heard a lot of bad things about them, but can anyone separate the fact from the fiction?

What sort of problems have you encountered? How did you fix it? Did it take ages or was it a small thing?

Personally, I'd rather they weren't getting SIMS, but that isn't my decision to make.

Not impressed with Aspen MIS then eh??!!

[Little-Miss]

To be fair....there isn't a lot out there that doesn't run into some sort of issue at some point.

Me? I don't have much to do with the everyday workings of SIMS, just the install on clients, Admin take care of the rest. To be honest we've not had many issues with it at all. Only things like the one i just posted!

I might even go out there and say I like it.

[3s-gtech]

We've been using it sitewise since 2006, but had it small scale for a while before then. It was a buggy, unstable mess in those day, but it has come a long way. There are still problems, quirks and issues - not least with SOLUS, but it's - dare say it - pretty good now. It needs a beefy server or VM, a full copy of SQL Server, and a well planned installation to get the best from it.

[CamelMan]

We've jumped from Serco Facility / Eportal to SIMS in September and (touch wood) had no major problems so far.

I think you will have problems with any complex system like an MIS - it all comes down to support and cost IMO.

[Little-Miss]

I think what's going to come out of this is...they need the money to back it.

[X-13]

Not impressed with Aspen MIS then eh??!!

I was. They didn't get to talk to anyone.

[GREED]

I was. They didn't get to talk to anyone.

While that is a huge shame, I am not surprised given how busy the stand was at BETT... and how shattered I was at the end of each day!!!

[TheScarfedOne]

A sims user here, but also have used facility. Like has already been said, every MIS, every system has its issues. So long as the time and funds are invested in it, you should be fine. Capita are becoming more and more responsive...they have to to compete with the emerging MIS systems

[Rawns]

I've only ever experienced SIMS .net while working here at the LA and providing tech support. While it does have issues from time to time, I can't imagine it's any more "error prone" then other MIS packages.

The only "minefield" I can think of if you go for SIMS is the dreaded word "SOLUS3".....

[Gibson335]

SIMS has improved considerably in recent years, but Capita still have this habit of having to release fixes shortly after upgrades, and even fixes to fix the fixes. So yes, on the one hand they are quick to repond, but on the other it would be nice if they didn't have to quite so much.

[Rawns]

SIMS has improved considerably in recent years, but Capita still have this habit of having to release fixes shortly after upgrades, and even fixes to fix the fixes. So yes, on the one hand they are quick to repond, but on the other it would be nice if they didn't have to quite so much.

Ahhhh, the beloved SIMS Summer 2012 release. Four different versions, not to mention about 17 exams patches....

[Gibson335]

Ahhhh, the beloved SIMS Summer 2012 release. Four different versions, not to mention about 17 exams patches....

Almost became a daily set task alongside check backups...