[sims] SIMS Assessment Manager

[spluckrose]

Hi All

 

We are having a problem with SIMS Assessment manager and inputting marks. We have a template that has 80 columns 20 of which are formulas. The first time we enter the data all is well but if we go back in to edit it then we get issues with it taking ages to change each mark, 30 seconds or more, before we can move on to the next one. This is something our data team have been living with.

 

The second problem is when they come to save the marksheet it only save about 2 of the marks some times 3 or 4 and if we repeat the same marks it saves different ones its random each time. If we save them individual it works no problem. But when there is 261 students in the year it takes even longer.

 

Capita have a copy of our database and are currently trying to find out the issue.

 

I just wondered if anyone had similar issues or the same issue..

 

Simon

[RootsSchImp]

Sounds to me like the server is having a hard time doing all the number crunching, with such a big school I guess you have plenty of SIMS users all going at once. I would recommend cloning the template and deleting the formula columns. Get the staff to enter data on a leaner, data entry only template, then use the more complicated one to calculate the formulas once all the data is in.

[bobsmith]

Gotta say, that sounds totally genius to me @RootsSchImp.

 

I tend to have a separate template for doing my calculations anyway, but if I start doing more calculations for subjects I'll definitely consider this method.

[vikpaw]

Isn't there an option to do with when it calculates the results, i.e. on save, or on entry, something like that. I forget. Probably worth turning it off, during mark entry until it's saved. Splitting the calcs off from the input sounds like the best option. It also means the marksheet where you review the calculations can have data review columns for the raw data and you can lock people out from fiddly, and remove access to the data entry marksheet later if required.

[bobsmith]

turning off calculate on save and/or calculate on entry still allows staff to mash the calculate button and grind everything to a crawl.

 

not aware of any way of preventing that short of removing the calculations from their marksheet/template entirely.