Edexcel Promisor

[Gaz]

I have been told today that for functional skills we will need to install some software from Edexcel called Promisor. So the first thing I did was to Google what the software was and I was greeted with some results from Edugeek dating back to 2009 and there wasn't a single post that had something good to say about it. Have I got a nightmare ahead of me or has it gotten better?

[bladedanny]

I have been told today that for functional skills we will need to install some software from Edexcel called Promisor. So the first thing I did was to Google what the software was and I was greeted with some results from Edugeek dating back to 2009 and there wasn't a single post that had something good to say about it. Have I got a nightmare ahead of me or has it gotten better?

 

Run... Run Now...

 

-Disclaimer- Based on experiences about 3-4 years ago.

[Gaz]

lol.

 

Well going off the old posts it looks like its going to be horrendous.

[FeralAI]

Actually - it's not too bad now - we have it setup and it gives me no trouble what so ever!

[darrenstraight]

For me the problems usually occur when I need to reinstall the ESM Server software, such as when I rebuild the PC the software was installed on or if that machine is out of action and need to use a different PC to reinstall the ESM server onto.

 

I have it installed on a machine at the moment that could do with a rebuild but for now I’m leaving it alone, don’t want the troubles I had last time!

 

The administrator client software usually works fine, though I have started getting a data path error which requires me to logon load the software and then log out and logon as the exam account. The share permissions are all fine so not sure why it’s happening, just doesn’t seem to find the share till I logon once.

 

Hope it doesnt break for you, fingers crossed.

[Gaz]

We've just sent off the application form for the software. From what I can gather from the technical docs, there are 2 pieces of software Enterprise Site Manager and Administrator.

Enterprise Site Manager sits on the server and the Administrator software sits on the client PCs, why on earth is it called Administrator if its what the clients will be using?

 

It says it requires adobe acrobat but we use Foxit does anyone know if thats OK to use. I really don't wanna install any shodware.

 

Under ESM Pre-Installation Tasks http://www.edexcel.com/Our-support/Documents/Installation%20Guide.pdf

 

It also says (I assume its refering to where you install ESM)

"You need to create a shared folder called ESM_Test_Centre somewhere that is going to be

accessible by the ESM software and all test taker machine login accounts, on either your local

disk drive or a server. This can be created on a server which is running IIS or other web server

software."

So do I need 2 servers/computers to run this? as later it says.

"Ensure that IIS (Internet Information Server) or any other web server software is NOT installed

on the machine designated for the Enterprise Site Manager application. This does not need to be

installed on a server machine. "

 

These two statements seem to contradict each other.

[FeralAI]

I have the ESM_Test_Centre installed on the management server, that is fine, but if you use the server for other things, such as in my case IFS, which runs through an IIS service, then the two cannot run at the same time.

I have to stop the IFS service before the ESM will run correctly.

 

So - folder+ESM = good

ESM+IIS = not so good

folder+IIS = ok but then we end up using 2 machines

 

hope that helps

[Gaz]

That does help. Thank you.

 

We use IIS for quite a few things on our server (we only have 1) and I'm not about to stop it just to run this rubbish. So I'll need to setup a separate PC for this.

 

Did you follow their guidelines for setting up the shared folder? Do they really need full permissions?

"All students and members of staff who will be using this software require full permissions to

this folder. We recommend that a special test taker login account is created for student's

rather than granting the permissions to their usual login. This will ensure that they only have

these permissions under exam conditions while under the supervision of the Invigilator."

[FeralAI]

Yes unfortunately you do have to give them full permissions on that folder, otherwise it just does not want to work. It's a bit shoddy really. The test taker special account is easy to implement , just remember to disable the account in AD when not needed.

[glen_j]

we put the share on the server then installed the esm server onto the exam organisers pc. fairly straight forward without any problems.

[Gaz]

Thanks. How does the shared folder work? does the administrator software know where the folder is or do I need to create a drive mapping, the instructions tell me (albeit vaguely) how to install the software but not how it works.

 

Thanks for putting up with my silly questions.

[glen_j]

it asks you for the data path when you install the client you just put in \\server\share and you're good to go

[Gaz]

Excellent thank you.

 

Now I feel better equipped to install this, but I've still no idea why something like this can't all be done web based.

[glen_j]

no idea why they couldn't have made it more straight forward either i think we have at least 3 different exam applications installed now. if you get stuck or want to chat about it pm me and I'll give you my phone number.

[azc]

The Promissor Administrator program is also very fussy about Flash versions. The only way to test if the software is working as it should (loading Flash applets, etc) is by running a dummy test. To run a dummy test you have to first call them up and book one. You might find yourself needing to either downgrade or upgrade your Flash player.

 

Regarding Abobe Reader, you need it installed on the server before installing ESM Server, or it will refuse to install. If I recall correctly, it doesn't recognise the latest versions of Adobe Reader even if they're installed. I think I had to install version 9, then install ESM Server, then upgrade Reader to the latest.

 

The reason you can't run ESM Server and IIS together is because ESM Server runs a web service on port 80. This is the interface your exams staff will use to administer tests.

 

Finally, ESM Server can't be run as a service. Your server needs to be logged in, with the ESM Server software open on screen, and someone needs to have pressed the 'Start' button for it to launch the web service.

[Gaz]

The Promissor Administrator program is also very fussy about Flash versions. The only way to test if the software is working as it should (loading Flash applets, etc) is by running a dummy test. To run a dummy test you have to first call them up and book one. You might find yourself needing to either downgrade or upgrade your Flash player.

 

Regarding Abobe Reader, you need it installed on the server before installing ESM Server, or it will refuse to install. If I recall correctly, it doesn't recognise the latest versions of Adobe Reader even if they're installed. I think I had to install version 9, then install ESM Server, then upgrade Reader to the latest.

 

The reason you can't run ESM Server and IIS together is because ESM Server runs a web service on port 80. This is the interface your exams staff will use to administer tests.

 

Finally, ESM Server can't be run as a service. Your server needs to be logged in, with the ESM Server software open on screen, and someone needs to have pressed the 'Start' button for it to launch the web service.

 

Brilliant.

 

Why is this software so bad? who actually makes the software does anyone know? I'd like to get in contact with them and ask them why they are using vulnerable and outdated versions of flash and adobe.

[azc]

who actually makes the software does anyone know?

 

Pearson VUE.

[Gaz]

Pearson VUE.

 

What I meant was the company that actually developed the software. I'm sure Pearson would have had a company make the software for them.

[azc]

ESMserver.exe is digitally signed by "NCS Pearson".

 

Pearson are a huge company, I don't see why they wouldn't have developers in house.

[GeekyPete]

What I meant was the company that actually developed the software. I'm sure Pearson would have had a company make the software for them.

 

Pearson hold the copyright, but it's underpinned/supported but someone/something called CAT Global. You do have a world of pain waiting for you but it is easier than it used to be. I installed the Adminstator software on the Exam officer's desktop. It worked fine. If I remember rightly, it registers the computer it's installed on and it will only work on that computer there after. Part of their security policy I think. So don't do what I did. I set up a Lab, got it all working then transfered it all across the exam room. Spent 2 days trouble shooting with tech support before they said "what do you mean when you say it worked on your test computers?". On the plus side their tech support is very patient and will talk you through the whole process over the phone if you have trouble.

[cerebro]

Hi,

 

I was wondering if someone could help with Promissor please

 

The set up at the moment:

 

- ESM is set up on a different server.

- I can administer a test account from a different computer, by logging into the Administer software.

 

The issue I am having, is trying to set this up for offsite use...where there will be no access to the internet.

 

One proposal is to download the test to a laptop whilst onsite, connecting to the ESM server...and then take the laptop offsite, uploading the results when onsite again. I am not sure if this is possible? and I could only book the demo test at certain times, I would like to have it administered at the testers convenience instead.

[Cache]

I think that will be the only way to do it. While this guide is for functional skills I guess it'll be the same for most things - you'll be able to download 24 hours in advance and then take offsite, but would need to contact edexcel for more advice (page 16 is what your after ): https://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/Functional%20skills1/CBT-FS-Admin-Guide-2013-14.pdf

[cerebro]

Thanks for taking the time to reply Cache, the guide is exactly what I was looking for

 

My understanding is that:

 

1) I log into ESM > Download Registration > Configure > File Transfer > Download TDF

 

2) Unlock the test in ESM

 

At what point should "Administrator" be started? Does it have to be fired up onsite and the student details entered in, or can this work with being disconnected from the internet. I will try out a demo test, but any feedback would be good.

 

Thanks

Edited April 21, 2014 by cerebro

[Cache]

I must confess I've not actually done it so can't say. I've read something else since which suggests that the ESM should be installed on the laptop which is going to be taken off site (but then that would become a pain). I'm not sure whether you can log in as an admin to Administrator and download the test to the client in advance or not, your best bet would really be to give Edexcel a call. I've just uninstalled our ESM server so can't take a proper look I'm afraid.

[cerebro]

Hi Cache,

 

I have spoken to Edexcel. They advised installing ESM and Administrator on the laptop, and also creating a new venue ID.

 

-On catglobal, using the new venue ID information I could book a demo test.

-However it did not show up on the ESM server.

 

I have the correct permissions set up:

 

" Each learner PC/login should have FULL read write permissions to the

ESM_Test_Centre folder

 Each learner PC/login should have FULL read/write permissions to the Administrator

folder on the C:\Program Files\Promissor"

 

They had closed for the day when I tried to inquire about this. But I am getting closer to get this done!