ChrisS Posted September 15, 2016 Posted September 15, 2016 What are folks experiences with hosted SIMS? I'm thinking of suggesting our 6 primaries move from local SIMS DB to hosted. For a start it's not absolutely clear to me whether a local (installed in school) SIMS client will still work with the hosted solution or if it has to be via RDP. I've read that maybe the SIMS client will still work via a VPN but is that Capita supported and how is update handled? What's the reliability of SIMS like in a hosted solution? 1
speckytecky Posted September 15, 2016 Posted September 15, 2016 A question I'd like to read comments on as well. It sounds like the way to go but as with @ChrisS I'd like to read feedback from anyone who has taken the plunge.
RootsSchImp Posted September 16, 2016 Posted September 16, 2016 If you're planning on making a move that massive I would recommend looking at moving to a cloud based MIS like Bromcom or Progresso. Its obvs a hassle to train your peeps on a new system but they're significantly cheaper than cloud hosted SIMS so factor in what you could do with the money instead. Full disclosure: I sometimes do work for Bromcom but I'm not on commission and have no financial interest in whether you choose them or not.
pantscat Posted September 16, 2016 Posted September 16, 2016 My experience of hosted SIMS was many years ago, so may have changed dramatically. But I found the performance to be much slower than an onsite installation. I seem to remember there was a site-to-site VPN in place to provide connectivity - users used the locally installed SIMS.net client. Have you considered site-to-site connectivity for your primaries and hosting SIMS on a single virtual SQL box? (Not sure if this is a supported configuration, but I don't see why not as it's how a lot of LEAs do it...) 1
hardtailstar Posted September 16, 2016 Posted September 16, 2016 Make sure the internet connections are good if not excellent. A primary school I used to work in had hosted SIMS via our local LA IT team on a basic internet speed, Ironically the internet was also provided from them. but the hosted SIMS was very flaky and some reports just crashed the hosted SIMS. I have seen other schools use it very well.
matt40k Posted September 16, 2016 Posted September 16, 2016 What are folks experiences with hosted SIMS? I'm thinking of suggesting our 6 primaries move from local SIMS DB to hosted. For a start it's not absolutely clear to me whether a local (installed in school) SIMS client will still work with the hosted solution or if it has to be via RDP. I've read that maybe the SIMS client will still work via a VPN but is that Capita supported and how is update handled? What's the reliability of SIMS like in a hosted solution? Depends. I know an LA that hosts just the databases centrally and I know an LA that host the whole thing and they just RDP into it. I think that latter is a better option.
abaxter2 Posted September 16, 2016 Posted September 16, 2016 We moved to hosted sims over the summer break, we have not used any form of sims before because we was using VS but VS have pulled out of the UK market. We are independent school and not a large mainstream school. The up's of hosted sims for us so far are: 1. No server overhead or internal maintenance of sim server. 2. Patches to sims are done automatically - so no internal configuration. 3. Remote access is available as soon as the system is live - so again no internal configuration. 4. If you have used sims before everything is there you just access it via a hosted server. The downs of hosted sims so far for us are: 1. We cannot create our own user account format 2. Sims had problems setting us up - we ordered for a July install / handover but this was not completed until the last two weeks of August, leaving us very little time to ready for term. 3. We were lead to believe it was a web browser application (runs from within a browser) but in fact you sign into a sims website and from there launch a remote desktop - not a problem but was not made clear by sales 4. Because you do not have access to the sims server (only have access to the sims application) you rely on sims support to fix server issues like bad user profiles. 5. Broadband speed has to good. Like I think with local and hosted sims the biggest thing is cost as it seems everything is a addon including using the sims app for phones / tablets. So far we are happy and it does show promise but at current best for primary / small school / small independent. Not a polished product yet. 4
RootsSchImp Posted September 16, 2016 Posted September 16, 2016 The points about connexion speed are really important. There's nothing more annoying than a cloud system (from any provider) where screens take more than a second to load. Definitely try from within school before you buy.
Banjo Posted September 16, 2016 Posted September 16, 2016 You mean this hosted SIMS https://sts.sims.co.uk/login?
Jehanzeb Posted September 24, 2016 Posted September 24, 2016 It's not really "cloud" based as it is "hosted" on Windows 2008 server at SIMS server and they have given permission you to use it. Additionally, you do need a stable internet connection, I wouldn't say superfast internet as it doesn't require high amount of bandwidth for connectivity (session connection is few kbs). Though the reason why we didn't opt for it is because of it's VPN (Remote based) connection. That's not true "Cloud", that's Remote based system. So if you have users on iPads, it is annoying to move cursours here and there to make it work. If users are on Mac, it simply opens a window however not a good method of updating even attendances. We are still using onsite SIMS but am thinking to run onsite server and host it for us to use Teachers App 24/7. We have fibre, and internal wiring is Cat6a with wireless IAPs so no issues on connectivity internally or externally. To my understanding, Capita has to start building true cloud based (user based access) SIMS/FMS/InTouch etc system in order to attract our attention. Kindest regards J.
mjk Posted September 25, 2016 Posted September 25, 2016 You mean this hosted SIMS https://sts.sims.co.uk/login? SSL certificate has expired. Capita ES are amateurs, obviously not very experienced at running web services. If they can't get the basics right I wouldn't hold out much hope for their 'true' cloud offerings just yet.
mullet_man Posted September 25, 2016 Posted September 25, 2016 Can you still use the various bits of software that pulls data from SIMS? Bio store? class charts, show my homework we've got loads.
vikpaw Posted September 25, 2016 Posted September 25, 2016 We moved to hosted sims over the summer break Not a polished product yet. Are your referring to SIMS? Or the hosted solution? To my understanding, Capita has to start building true cloud based (user based access) SIMS/FMS/InTouch etc system in order to attract our attention. They have already started. SIMS 8 / SIMS X / Whatever they end up calling it. There are a few threads on the subject. SSL certificate has expired. Capita ES are amateurs, obviously not very experienced at running web services. If they can't get the basics right I wouldn't hold out much hope for their 'true' cloud offerings just yet. I noticed that. Worrying. Not sure how interactivity with third parties would work.
PhilNeal Posted September 25, 2016 Posted September 25, 2016 "Capita ES are amateurs" We have one of the most senior engineers from eBay working on our next generation - we have the expertise! 1
vikpaw Posted September 25, 2016 Posted September 25, 2016 "Capita ES are amateurs" We have one of the most senior engineers from eBay working on our next generation - we have the expertise! Will schools get to bid on their Annual Maintenance renewal? 1
mjk Posted September 25, 2016 Posted September 25, 2016 We have one of the most senior engineers from eBay working on our next generation - we have the expertise! you should probably send him on a "securing your webservers" course for beginners. 2
techy32 Posted September 25, 2016 Posted September 25, 2016 This is an unbelievable situation where a company like capita hosting sensitive information and the SSL certificate has expired!!!!!! The senior engineers who are looking after the webservers should be fired as they are clearly not senior!!!!!!! They definitely need a beginner course on website security. I was also thinking of looking into cloud based SIMS solution but Capita is definitely not there yet.
matt40k Posted September 25, 2016 Posted September 25, 2016 Can't decide what's more funny, the idea that people are shocked that someone like Capita could let an SSL certificate expire or that they think they would do DevOps.
matt40k Posted September 26, 2016 Posted September 26, 2016 Too right!! Next someone will be telling me my worthworths gift card is worthless! Other news, Capita appear to have renewed the certificate - dated from last week, so guess it takes them a week to apply a new SSL certificate, not bad for such a large org!
CAM Posted September 26, 2016 Posted September 26, 2016 Too right!! Next someone will be telling me my worthworths gift card is worthless! I think you were doomed from the start with a blatantly counterfeit gift card.
abaxter2 Posted September 26, 2016 Posted September 26, 2016 Are your referring to SIMS? Or the hosted solution? Hosted Sims - they may have renewed their SSL but the hosted service has been down all morning (not just my school but the hosted platform) - no access, just access to the https://id.sims.co.uk but cannot access SIMS.net. Support working on a fix but taking to long! Like I have already said hosted sims not polished yet or ready for prime time.
Jehanzeb Posted September 26, 2016 Posted September 26, 2016 I guess best option is to host SIMS locally on onsite Windows server and run it 24/7. Kindest regards J.
matt40k Posted September 28, 2016 Posted September 28, 2016 Depends, I still know schools that open SIMS a few times a week. Admittedly they are small primary schools, but still a day (or so) of downtime is still better for them then having to apply patches "all the time". Also there are other options then DIY SIMS/Capita hosted SIMS.
localzuk Posted September 28, 2016 Posted September 28, 2016 "Capita ES are amateurs" We have one of the most senior engineers from eBay working on our next generation - we have the expertise! Then how does an SSL certificate expire for a production system? Current evidence doesn't seem to agree with your statement.
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