BLUESKY:So, if you were setting up your school from scratch, what MIS would you buy?

[junz]

Hi,

 

We user Isams and I would like to learn more about SSRS reports.How would you go about downloading the built in reports into visual studio?

[Katy]

Hi,

 

We user Isams and I would like to learn more about SSRS reports.How would you go about downloading the built in reports into visual studio?

Go into the web interface for your SSRS server (from iSAMS go to Network Management, then there's a button somewhere in there which opens it). You can then browse through the folder structure and download items which open in Visual Studio with data services installed.

[junz]

I do not see an option for network management. I do not know if this makes a difference but our Isams is hosted and I recently found out we have access to the back end via Microsoft SQL where the previous tech was able to create very custom reports such as attendance for every student for the entire week (outputted to Excel) at the click of a button which the coding no longer works

[Katy]

It's in between Portal Management and Administration on the left hand bar, then go into SQL Reporting Manager, then Load Reporting Manager. Ours is hosted by our trust on Azure rather than directly by iSAMS. If you don't have Network Management -> SQL Reporting Manager then you won't be able to allocate reports to the iSAMS interface.

 

You might still be able to make and run reports if you know the SSRS server's hostname just try that in a browser. If it's hosted then drop iSAMS support an email and they'll be able to tell you where to look.

[junz]

I have found the option now but for some reason the username and password I use for my login does not work. Is there a separate username and password?

[Katy]

I have found the option now but for some reason the username and password I use for my login does not work. Is there a separate username and password?

Ours are the same as iSAMS is set for AD authentication as is the SQL server, but you need to have permissions on the SQL server to get at SSRS, again ours aren't hosted by iSAMS so will probably be set up differently.

[TechMonkey]

I have found the option now but for some reason the username and password I use for my login does not work. Is there a separate username and password?

We are hosted and our login details are different, we had to contact Support to get them.

[newmoon1981]

Schoolbase. We have been using it since 2010 and:

 

They help you transfer your data

They help you to setup the system exactly as per the needs of the school.

A number of functions form part of the package, there are, i believe, different levels of contract.

there is an offline version and also an online version which is regularly updated.

It connects with your AD logins, so users only need to remember one password if needed.

It has online signup of students, should they wish to join the school

It has also got online signup for Co-Curricular activities and clubs.

The support guys are fantastic and always willing to help, whithin reasonable requests.

It works with FeeMaster and Sage 200.

the work with independent schools (which we are one) but also they work with academies, so they seem to have a handle on how each "institution type" works.

 

you need:

 

for windows clients, all your clients need to be on the same version in terms of Windows and Office, or at least the same version of office.

It works well in chrome or firefox which is our preference (we dont use IE here)

It also works well in Safari, in case you wish to install the online version and run it on a mac. The offline version only runs on macs if you have Parallels.

I recommend your IT or Data Manager has a virgin machine that is only used for Schoolbase updates, if you plan to use the offline version in your school.

 

Im actually sad because we are leaving them.

 

I got here to ask a question about our soon to be new MIS, and saw this so i thought i would give my two-cents,

In terms of our soon to be MIS, so far I have only been impressed with their trainers, not so much with their offerings.. Not my decision to leave schoolbase, neadless to say.

[mavhc]

I got here to ask a question about our soon to be new MIS, and saw this so i thought i would give my two-cents,

In terms of our soon to be MIS, so far I have only been impressed with their trainers, not so much with their offerings.. Not my decision to leave schoolbase, needless to say.

 

Do you know why they're leaving?

[newmoon1981]

i believe because a new member of staff used it in their previous school.

 

this colleague has clout, hence the switch.

[PotNoodleTech]

i believe because a new member of staff used it in their previous school.

 

this colleague has clout, hence the switch.

 

Switching MIS because one new member of staff used it in their previous school is insane!

[nicholab]

I been trying to not touch SIMS for 10 years not. But every teacher or Head seems drawn to it. IBM, Microsoft and SIMS no one be fired for buying these.

[AlanD]

Schoolbase. We have been using it since 2010 and:

 

They help you transfer your data

They help you to setup the system exactly as per the needs of the school.

A number of functions form part of the package, there are, i believe, different levels of contract.

there is an offline version and also an online version which is regularly updated.

It connects with your AD logins, so users only need to remember one password if needed.

It has online signup of students, should they wish to join the school

It has also got online signup for Co-Curricular activities and clubs.

The support guys are fantastic and always willing to help, whithin reasonable requests.

It works with FeeMaster and Sage 200.

the work with independent schools (which we are one) but also they work with academies, so they seem to have a handle on how each "institution type" works.

 

you need:

 

for windows clients, all your clients need to be on the same version in terms of Windows and Office, or at least the same version of office.

It works well in chrome or firefox which is our preference (we dont use IE here)

It also works well in Safari, in case you wish to install the online version and run it on a mac. The offline version only runs on macs if you have Parallels.

I recommend your IT or Data Manager has a virgin machine that is only used for Schoolbase updates, if you plan to use the offline version in your school.

 

Im actually sad because we are leaving them.

 

I got here to ask a question about our soon to be new MIS, and saw this so i thought i would give my two-cents,

In terms of our soon to be MIS, so far I have only been impressed with their trainers, not so much with their offerings.. Not my decision to leave schoolbase, neadless to say.

 

I'd agree with all of the above. Schoolbase was the only product which was actually capable of delivering what we wanted..

 

To be critical...its not pretty....and because it does most if not all things...inevitably that increase the layers of complexity and decisions ... And when you can't get it to do what you want...you can either write some SQL...or most the time phone them up and they will write it for you.

[Ditto]

I been trying to not touch SIMS for 10 years not. But every teacher or Head seems drawn to it. IBM, Microsoft and SIMS no one be fired for buying these.

Going through the same with new Head - wants SIMS on-site, nothing else, irrespective of cost. We almost exclusively cloud-based. Business manager will struggle with this when she sees the bill for the package, the expense of a new server, the requirement for backups, training, funding a network/system administrator. I don't mind a switch, but let's do a proper assessment of needs, costs and value for money.

[mavhc]

Going through the same with new Head - wants SIMS on-site, nothing else, irrespective of cost. We almost exclusively cloud-based. Business manager will struggle with this when she sees the bill for the package, the expense of a new server, the requirement for backups, training, funding a network/system administrator. I don't mind a switch, but let's do a proper assessment of needs, costs and value for money.

 

Exactly, I guess the governors will have to approve such expense, so make the alternative case.

 

a) stick with what we've got, total cost: £x/year

b) move to sims, advantages: that's the head's job to point out, including time saved because it's apparently better. Disadvantages: part of that is your job to point out.

[Ditto]

Oh, the governors have got involved! I have for the current supplier, a 1-year quote (~20% uplift), a 2-year quote, a 3-year quote and a 5-year quote. Understandably the value gets better the longer you sign up to. I have quotes from last year from 3 other suppliers. They guvs have asked for a 2-year quote with a 1-year break clause with the current supplier. I think I know what the reply I will be when I ask and it's like to end in "off"!

[mavhc]

Really need to make sure no one's going "but gdpr!" or something as a reason they can't continue with the current system, and all costs about computers people don't understand are listed

[Banjo]

Going through the same with new Head - wants SIMS on-site, nothing else, irrespective of cost. We almost exclusively cloud-based. Business manager will struggle with this when she sees the bill for the package, the expense of a new server, the requirement for backups, training, funding a network/system administrator. I don't mind a switch, but let's do a proper assessment of needs, costs and value for money.

Just be careful. What the head wants, they usually get. Don't be the person to get in their way or be the obstruction that prevents them getting their own way.

You'll get runover. If this was a case of "lets go out and see what MIS is out there?" fair enough, but it doesn't sound like that.

[Ditto]

Well maybe, maybe not. Firstly, we're an all-though with a senior head and primary head, so this is just one opinion. We have a BM who is very cost conscious and to date cost has always won over. I have no qualms making my case, in fact I regard it as part of my role and will defend my position professionally and vigorously. I'm not anti-switch if it's justified and to be honest, going with SIMS would arguably improve my marketability!

[bigdannyb79]

I know progresso is bad but if your using it well you'll feel a crushing bump going back to SIMS.

 

And thats a bump in your wallet and in your ability to gain insight from data you collect in your MIS.

[Ditto]

I've never used SIMS, so personally it's not really a "going back to". In terms of costs, you're absolutely right. I have a quote and Year1 costs are eye-watering. Do any schools manage to negotiate significant discounts with SIMS or does market share lead to a "take it or leave it" attitude? Your comments on data insight are very interesting. Do you feel SIMS is weaker in the this area than Progresso?

[newmoon1981]

A couple of years later and it was as i suspected: Not as good as it was touted.. Dont get me wrong, isams does have some good points such as available online, MFA.

But their support is a bit hit and miss, and they charge you money for Absolutely everything, and no small amounts either, all excl VAT of course.

Their phone support is a bit snooty, like if you owe them a living for calling them, and their migration team is somewhat patronising/condescending.. a lovely experience.

[paulkerton]

A couple of years later and it was as i suspected: Not as good as it was touted.. Dont get me wrong, isams does have some good points such as available online, MFA.

But their support is a bit hit and miss, and they charge you money for Absolutely everything, and no small amounts either, all excl VAT of course.

Their phone support is a bit snooty, like if you owe them a living for calling them, and their migration team is somewhat patronising/condescending.. a lovely experience.

To be fair, it sounds like a better experience than trying to get support directly from Capita back in the day.

I'm sure they've improved mind you.

[supportman]

A couple of years later and it was as i suspected: Not as good as it was touted.. Dont get me wrong, isams does have some good points such as available online, MFA.

But their support is a bit hit and miss, and they charge you money for Absolutely everything, and no small amounts either, all excl VAT of course.

Their phone support is a bit snooty, like if you owe them a living for calling them, and their migration team is somewhat patronising/condescending.. a lovely experience.

 

Thats interesting, we had the choice of iSams or Bromcom and chose Bromcom. We've been very happy with their support and training so far.

 

 

Other than a cost for SMS and SMTP messages, we havent paid anything extra that I can think of.

Edited October 11, 2021 by supportman

[PotNoodleTech]

Bromcom does sound like the one to be honest.

 

I had a dream....

 

That one day we don't have a capital product here