[SIMS] Is it possible to install sims on a standalone laptop? Live or dummy database

[tj2419]

Hi Guys,

I have been asked by a member of staff if it would be possible to install a copy of sims on a laptop for them to practice running reports etc at home. So as the title says is it possible to install sims on a standalone XP laptop and then for them to use it at home? The data doesn't need to be live or even real. A dummy database would do.

Any advice would be great thanks

[kevin_lane]

well you can do it but not advised

[plexer]

Sims provide db's for training don't they? So can't see that it's not advised.

Ben

[vikpaw]

The training datasets are only for LAs.

There is however no reason not to install a test setup, and use your own data, or start blank and create your own. I think they even recommend you have a test setup for testing patches.

It's also a requirement for becoming a BETA tester etc.

The easiest thing to do is to download the latest installable release from CAPITA and install away. You need to have SQL server installed, though i think the installer will put Express on if you don't have it. It's just a simple wizard. Then you could restore a backup, however if it's just for teachers to practise, I would try and find a backup from someone who does have a test dataset or make your own test data, just for security. Restoring your own data is best kept for a test server within school where it's secure.

I would add in 2-3 kids per year manually, and you could name them obviously, so it's easy to see when the reports work. You can import the report defs from Capita and export any from your system them need.

[darkest_star]

We have a laptop set up with the latest version of sims on and attach a reasonably uptodate backup of our data.

We use this for teasting and also a couple of times as a real emergency backup to run the school when all other systems were down.

it's straight forward todo but we keep it very secure as it is a portable copy odf your school data.