SIMS - internal or hosted

[BJG]

I'm currently looking at providing remote access to our internal SIMS server, and wondering if we should be considering migrating to a hosted system. Internet is based on 100MB. I got my fingers burned with a flaky web-based MIS in the past...any opinions on the pros/cons...?

[dry]

I'm interested to hear responses too.

 

Hosted means there's one less School system that's on-site. I'm sure Capita's SLAs (or whoever you choose for hosting) are going to be more stringent than what I'm allowed to do should we have a hardware failure at school- i.e. hunt for cheapest replacement part, order and wait.

 

Disadvantages would include the fact you're introducing a SPOF (Single Point of Failure) into the system- what would happen if your WAN connection went down? Have you got sufficient failovers in place should it happen?

 

Also you've got to think about data security. I take it you're thinking about having Capita as your host for SIMS, but I'd still make a point of checking what security protocols they're using for transmission and storage of data. If you're not using SIMS, but another hosting provider, have a think about how you're going to implement end to end encryption of data. Where (physically) are the host's servers and are they part of the Safe Harbor agreement etc?

[Steve21]

I'm currently looking at providing remote access to our internal SIMS server, and wondering if we should be considering migrating to a hosted system. Internet is based on 100MB. I got my fingers burned with a flaky web-based MIS in the past...any opinions on the pros/cons...?

 

Unless you're a smaller school/primary and don't have a virtualised setup I honestly don't see the point.

 

You pay more for it. You have other issues like setting up VPNs for third-party tools. You rely on your internet, if it's down that's no registers etc in that time etc. Got a quick patch/fix/fileset you need for someone? Can't do it yourself etc etc.

 

If you want remote access for any other program you're then paying double to support both too.

 

Steve

[Banjo]

Stay local - there are plenty of ways to provide access to staff that are robust, easy to manage and don't cost a fortune.

[JHLEHS]

Really interesting points here. I agree with the single point of failure. However for some schools this might be a great solution, for example Primary schools who do not have the in house IT infrastructure or expertee to maintain the DB etc then this may be the way forward. I have seen some schools reluctant to move to hosted for data protection reasons which I can understand. how can Capita guarantee that the data is secure and where would the data actually be stored? Having a cloud environment you are never completely sure where the data is being hosted.

 

If a school moved to hosted then this would take away the need to manage Sims upgrade and patches however this might be an issue in it's self for example if the upgrades get applied when they are released they may contain bugs which have not been noted before they are deployed to all schools on a hosted environment. I can see both arguments really. However surely this is the way the future is heading soon most systems will be hosted and schools could save hugely on server hardware and operational costs...

[timbo343]

My view is to stay local too.. for now. I have heard eventually it will be cloud based and web based but for now stay local.

[BFCIT]

Personally I would stick to internal SIMS, we recently had a fault in our fibre entering the school that led to almost 5 days without the internet, this was not our Service Providers fault, this was BTs fault and it took them an age to respond, figure out the fault and get us back up and running. It was bad enough losing the internet for that time, if our SIMS had have been hosted online our school would have come to a standstill.

 

There is truth in the fact that services are becoming increasingly cloud based, but unless you have the money to ensure you can maintain internet connectivity, redundant broadband links to school etc I would avoid. You would possibly want to use a microwave isp provider using point to point, rather than go through to the local exchange for your redundant broadband supply.

 

As others have said there is plenty of software out there including Microsoft's Own Remote Desktop Services that would enable staff to access SIMS away from school. In terms of data protection, I sleep much better at night knowing that I am in control of the SIMS server and I know exactly how and where the data is stored and the associated security that governs the server.

[burnsyb0y]

My school has went hosted and it is nothing but trouble, nothing but connection cut outs and down right faliure to connect to the service 2/5 times you try.

[ass17]

It can become expensive, £1500 hosted, (terminal server [emoji106]🏻) for 5 users, £30 each additional user.

[mikkydoos]

There is the SIMS.net mobile app for basic functions. Depends on what you want your users to have access to.

[JHLEHS]

Saying that Capita have said that they want to go web based for about 6 years.

[JHLEHS]

Personally I would stick to internal SIMS, we recently had a fault in our fibre entering the school that led to almost 5 days without the internet, this was not our Service Providers fault, this was BTs fault and it took them an age to respond, figure out the fault and get us back up and running. It was bad enough losing the internet for that time, if our SIMS had have been hosted online our school would have come to a standstill.

 

There is truth in the fact that services are becoming increasingly cloud based, but unless you have the money to ensure you can maintain internet connectivity, redundant broadband links to school etc I would avoid. You would possibly want to use a microwave isp provider using point to point, rather than go through to the local exchange for your redundant broadband supply.

 

As others have said there is plenty of software out there including Microsoft's Own Remote Desktop Services that would enable staff to access SIMS away from school. In terms of data protection, I sleep much better at night knowing that I am in control of the SIMS server and I know exactly how and where the data is stored and the associated security that governs the server.

 

Yes, many schools have this view about the sims data, and at the moment Cloud systems are very expensive.

[witch]

one of my schools is going over to hosted at the moment. Apparently the local infant school has moved over and is very happy.

[salc]

Over 600 schools in the south and west have opted to have SIMS hosted by ScoMIS (ourselves included). We have had very few problems in nearly 9 years since we took the plunge. If your internet connection is reasonably reliable I would recommend it.

[Banjo]

There is the SIMS.net mobile app for basic functions. Depends on what you want your users to have access to.

 

That doesn't mean you database has to be in the cloud, just a browser based front end.

[Banjo]

one of my schools is going over to hosted at the moment. Apparently the local infant school has moved over and is very happy.

 

And how much do you pay per year?

[CyberNerd]

And how much do you pay per year?

 

IIRC it is £1500 per year for 30 users and £20 per user per year thereafter. This is on top of any existing licensing and maintenance costs.

[witch]

I've no idea - we still have two networks, admin and curriculum, and I am only curriculum which doesn't have SIMS (thank goodness). I think SIMS is currently hosted on the LA servers and I presume the school pays for that so maybe the figures add up to go hosted

[southhamster]

Over 600 schools in the south and west have opted to have SIMS hosted by ScoMIS (ourselves included). We have had very few problems in nearly 9 years since we took the plunge. If your internet connection is reasonably reliable I would recommend it.

 

+1 for SCOMIS. All my schools are using it generally with few problems. I sleep easier knowing that it's looked after properly. Also a council run organising so no fat cat offshore tax avoiders!

[witch]

Looking at the email I was sent - we are looking at Capita hosted SIMS apparently

[TheScarfedOne]

+1 for Capita hosted. Used it myself; databases are stored in Azure. All UK based. It depends on the size of your school, size of your it team, and reliability of internet. There are lots of ways of providing external access - going hosted is one way, apps is another, or if you still go local, I know lots who have RDP/Remote App access.