[sims] Export timetables to GAFE calendars

[caffrey]

Is there a way to export SIMS student timetables into a students GAFE calendar?

[matt40k]

If you buy SalamanderSoft tool, it'll sync SIMS with Google Apps - automated user creation with calendars etc, etc - SalamanderSoft Limited

[caffrey]

Just thought I'd check, I looked at the site and there was no mention of GAFE

[rpwillis]

We're not very good at marketing!

[vikpaw]

Just thought I'd check, I looked at the site and there was no mention of GAFE

 

We're not very good at marketing!

 

Just assume they can do pretty much anything with your data!

[matt40k]

Just assume they can do pretty much anything with your data!

 

I wouldn't quite say that, not yet, I'd say it was more like super glue that can stick pretty much anything together without making a mess or coming unstuck (unless you want it too). Actually if it was glue, you could use it stick a lorry to the ceiling.

[vikpaw]

potato potato

[caffrey]

Set alarm bells off here too

[jim_potter]

Hi all,

 

OK yes as a current network manager I do know what you mean - I'm very wary of giving out access to my network. I'll take this all as constructive feedback! Any recommendations here would be great.

 

Would people be happier if it was installed locally? My reservation with this is I've written it with a very flexible (and therfore pretty fiddly) configuration setup, which I think would need a load of experience to get the best out of. I know a lot of systems connect to external APIs (we use CMIS and have > 10 companies accessing our data). Would this be a better route?

 

The queries it runs on the database are read only (and copied from SIMS/CMIS directly - they are the ones run by the applications themselves) but yes I do agree that clients would be taking this on trust. With the API, there is a lot less potential for external comapnies affecting your data.

 

As far as the config goes, its default action is to do nothing. The plan would be to switch it on bit by bit (eg manage 1 test user/1 group/1 calendar) and roll it out class by class/year by year etc.

 

What do you at Salamander do? I know RealSmart do similar things, and the use the API.

 

cheers

 

Jim

[matt40k]

For starters SalamanderSoft is a fully fledged company, they're also a partner with a number of MIS suppliers, which means they use the official API, so won't blow your warranty\support agreement, they have a direct support agreement so you don't get the piggy-in-the-middle scenario either. All the logic is local, so no need for pen-testing\registering as a data controller\blah blah blah. Finally the product is a very mature and stable. IMHO, it isn't worth the hassle.

[jim_potter]

Yes. This is true - though every company has to start somewhere. If it doesn't work I'll open source it, but in the meantime I reckon its worth a go.

[jim_potter]

OK - a year down the line and I realise I'm not great at marketing, so here's where I've got to open source. It will populate users, groups and resource calendars, put lesson events into resource calendars, subscribe users to groups and calendars. I've got it working nicely with CMIS and SIMS. Give it a look.

 

http://www.ttsync.co.uk

 

thanks,

 

Jim