[sims] Using SIMS on a portable device

[mcalpine89]

Hi all,

 

I have been asked to look into a portable device where some of our PE staff can take registers easily through SIMS. As they are on the move a lot, tablets were suggested over laptops. Does anyone have any tablets they currently use in a school infrastructure that work well for registers and everyday work?

 

I would like to get something which can integrate with our Windows domain easily and they can perform other tasks as well as just SIMS. iPads have been suggested but I don't think they are the best option as we have had problems with iPads and proxy servers before hand. Any recommendations would be a great help.

 

Many thanks,

Ross

[PhilNeal]

There are solutions for iPads - Group Call for example. SLG will also run on any tablet but the challenge you've set is not using an iPad!

 

A Windows 8 device will integrate well with your network and run SIMS directly (not the RT version)

[truebluesteve]

We had exactly the same request from our PE department about a year ago and after trialling it for a while, we decided to go for Groupcall Emerge. Its worked a treat and PE love it. It was very easy to set and is easy to use. PM me if you want any more information

 

Edit - We use it on iPads and don't have any proxy issues but the devices need to be able to connect to your SIMS server

Edited May 10, 2013 by truebluesteve

[tech-man]

Remote Desktop to a terminal server?

[zag]

Groupcall Emerge does this very well.

 

We use it for all our PE staff to take registers on ipads or iphones.

 

Awesome solution but quite expensive.

[Sylv3r]

iPOD touches and Groupcall Emerge work well for us and our PE classes.

[speckytecky]

Bromcom's Teachers Web Folder is also another option.

[Homeland]

Were looking at the hybrid laptop solution running Windows 7 pro so as long as they can see the wireless no need for the expense of emerge.

[vikpaw]

Just to point out, Groupcall is a good solution and also works equally well on Android devices, thus meeting your not an iPad requirement.

Android will also give you better usability in terms of storing manipulating files etc. I feel it gives too much control and has so many variants, that it confuses staff.

I'd be tempted to go towards some of the newer hybrid devices or just a regular netbook running windows, which you can still pick up on the cheap. The newer kit has teh benefit of touch, so depends on your scenario really.

[GazN]

We have emerge in 3 of our schools running on ipads and they have no problems with the proxy server settings

[Steve21]

iPods/iPhones on Emerge here

 

No problem with proxies either.

 

Steve

[maark]

emerge is very pricey with annual licences- you can run remote desktop from android or ipad if you can get a wireless signal.

[Ex-MGSTech]

How about PARS Connect from TASC Software?

[TheScarfedOne]

+1 for Groupcall here

[vikpaw]

emerge is very pricey with annual licences- you can run remote desktop from android or ipad if you can get a wireless signal.

Site licence makes it much cheaper depending on school size.

The main use we have for it is offline usage, plus it's so quick and easy for management to quickly find students as it's a dedicated app, and it works perfect on a small screen. RDP is fine for prolonged usage on a larger screen and requires a little training at least for most staff.

[mcalpine89]

Thanks for all the suggestions people, looks like I have a bit of research to do.

[mcalpine89]

We had exactly the same request from our PE department about a year ago and after trialling it for a while, we decided to go for Groupcall Emerge. Its worked a treat and PE love it. It was very easy to set and is easy to use. PM me if you want any more information

 

Edit - We use it on iPads and don't have any proxy issues but the devices need to be able to connect to your SIMS server

 

Do your iPads access Youtube ok? I had trouble getting youtube to work behind a proxy server?

[truebluesteve]

Do your iPads access Youtube ok? I had trouble getting youtube to work behind a proxy server?

 

Yes they work fine although I had to make a few tweaks to the Smoothwall box.

[mcalpine89]

Yes they work fine although I had to make a few tweaks to the Smoothwall box.

 

What few tweaks did you have to make? We have a smoothwall and ISA 2006 so I think it is a bit more complicated.