What MIS Systems Do You Use In USA

[russdev]

So what MIS systems do you use across the pond?

[vikpaw]

I just heard of one being used at a uni here called Kaust, which has lots of it's stuff imported from the states, and it's called SIS. Schools Information System i think. I guess it's like SIMS without the M(anagement)!

[qcomer]

We use AeriesCS by Eagle Software. We currently use their SQL version with Parent and Teacher portal. Parent portal allows them to check attendance and grades. Teacher portal allows teacher to assign grades using "gradebook", mark attendance and lookup student demographics and information.

Aeries is one of the more popular systems. Some others you might see are powerschool, zangle and school wise.

We call them SIS here in the states - Student Information System.

[vikpaw]

Follet's Aspen is one that is breaking the UK at the moment. Aside from PowerSchool, i recently also heard of something called Chancery.

[penfold_99]

Chancery and PowerSchool are from Pearson, you also have InfinateCampus, Skyward. All these MIS are SIF enabled to the US data model.

[vikpaw]

Chancery and PowerSchool are from Pearson, you also have InfinateCampus, Skyward. All these MIS are SIF enabled to the US data model.

That would be why the Fronter rep mentioned it then!

[qcomer]

That would be why the Fronter rep mentioned it then!

I have all of our systems automated with exports from our SIS (versatrans bussing, library patrons, Actice Directory account creation, Lunch software, etc). all without SIF agents. SIF are over priced and you can do alot of the same with scripting and exports.

Aspen from Follett is not getting big here yet in the states. In fact, about 2 months ago they told us it wasnt even released yet when doing our Destiny implementation. We wouldnt switch anyways. Aeries is the SIS of our choice in California. Best one I have found and I have worked with many.

[vikpaw]

I understood that Aspen had over 10% market share.
I too have and continue to integrate other systems directly with the SIS (MIS as we call it).

[penfold_99]

SIF are over priced and you can do alot of the same with scripting and exports.

SIF's major benefit is when you are connecting to multiple data stores together or different type of data stores. From a schools view you have your one SIS, from a suppliers SIS you have to support multiple SIS and SIF allow you to develop against one interface for all SIS.
As for cost the answer is shop arround, here in the uk we include a complete SIF infrastructure with our integration products and we are still a lot cheap than our competitors who link to the SIS but dont use SIF.

[penfold_99]

I too have and continue to integrate other systems directly with the SIS (MIS as we call it).

The biggest misconception is the MIS holds all the data about a student when in fact it is stored in multiple systems. If schools wanted to change MIS by having custom scripts you are adding to vendor lock in. SIF can reduce the issues of changing MIS and any system that consumes student data.

[vikpaw]

It's not so much the data we store in it, though that is useful, but as it's our starting point for storing data, and has a nice unique field in there to prevent duplication we use it as the basis for sharing information around. Logins etc. come from there. If we were to change, i can see that it would be a weakness if the new SIS didn't store the unique field in the same way, or allow us to export to the other systems.