Bromcom eTimetable software

[Rob446]

We do recommend that users make sure the software is installed on a local machine and the data files are also saved locally and not a network location.

 

 

 

You have to be joking.

 

Not only is the THE WORST written application I have ever had the misfortune to attempt to install in a 20 year career in IT, but it won't even work with a network file store?

 

What an utter, utter shambles. I didn't know IT could be this backward in this day and age.

[Jaan]

You have to be joking.

 

Not only is the THE WORST written application I have ever had the misfortune to attempt to install in a 20 year career in IT, but it won't even work with a network file store?

 

What an utter, utter shambles. I didn't know IT could be this backward in this day and age.

 

We've got it working here...... but we are very strict when it comes to local install and local admin access etc etc. It was/Is a real pain for us.....we actually given the staff member a off domain laptop that connects to our BYOD just to complete their tasks with it.

 

See my above post if it's of any use to you.

 

But i agree...... the software is very poor in that today's security standards and principles will stop it in it tracks......... It needs to be integrated into the MIS.....

 

[sarcasm]Wait until you have a look at the "Alerts" program....... that's awesome! it also installs on Ipad..... apparently[/sarcasm]

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

i also forgot pathways

 

Bromcom is cloud based..... except alerts, Etimetabler and pathways

[kennysarmy]

We've got it working here...... but we are very strict when it comes to local install and local admin access etc etc. It was/Is a real pain for us.....we actually given the staff member a off domain laptop that connects to our BYOD just to complete their tasks with it.

 

See my above post if it's of any use to you.

 

But i agree...... the software is very poor in that today's security standards and principles will stop it in it tracks......... It needs to be integrated into the MIS.....

 

[sarcasm]Wait until you have a look at the "Alerts" program....... that's awesome! it also installs on Ipad..... apparently[/sarcasm]

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

i also forgot pathways

 

Bromcom is cloud based..... except alerts, Etimetabler and pathways

 

Don't forget you also need an Excel add-in that can only be installed by the user in order to pull off all items from the Single Central Record!

[RootsSchImp]

You have to be joking.

 

Not only is the THE WORST written application I have ever had the misfortune to attempt to install in a 20 year career in IT, but it won't even work with a network file store?

 

What an utter, utter shambles. I didn't know IT could be this backward in this day and age.

 

And once you've finally installed it it's terrible for timetabling.

 

Garbage fires all the way down

[Keith-Johnson]

 

We are most likely going to buy Keith Johnson's TimeTabler. And then just build manually into Bromcom.

 

https://www.timetabler.com/

 

 

Just to say that there is an official export-import of the completed timetable from TimeTabler to Bromcom [ and also from Options to Bromcom].

Absolutely no need for manual entry.

[Rob446]

Due to security concerns, we had to remove Local Admin access from the user last week, and now Etimetabler doesn't work any more.

 

Any news on that web based version, Bromcom?

[Bromcom_Support_2]

Hi Rob446,

Bromcom’s browser-based e-Timetable project timeline slipped because of our work on Covid-related features taking priority over the last 18 months. A release date will be published later this year.

Until it’s released, similar to any other Windows-based timetabling software in the market, if users need to install and run e-Timetable on local laptop/PC, it will mean local Admin rights, which we appreciate can become a security challenge. This is where security policy of school or MAT may become an issue and creates this challenging decision for the school.

However, if you are not using roaming profiles, then the system/network admin can install the software for the user as administrator, and then the subsequent use of the application by user does not require ‘admin’ privilege as it utilises window’s user profile folders and automatic update checks are done each time application is launched. The issues arise if roaming profiles are in use because you will need to provide ‘admin’ privilege to the user on their PC/workstation.

The above said, Bromcom has 100s of schools using without any security incident over the past 10+ years.

Also, whilst not browser-based, Bromcom e-Timetable is the only product that has “two way sync anytime” between Cloud MIS and a timetable product and this unique feature is very popular with our users.

I hope that helps.

Edited January 21, 2022 by Bromcom_Support_2

[robyholmes]

Hi Rob446,

Bromcom’s browser-based eTimetable project timeline slipped because of our work on Covid-related features taking priority over the last 18 months. A release date will be published later this year.

Until it’s released, similar to any other Windows-based timetabling software in the market, if users needs to install and run eTimeTable on local laptop/PC, it will mean local Admin rights, which we appreciate can become a security challenge. This is where security policy of school or MAT may become an issue and creates this challenging decision for the school.

 

However, if you are not using roaming profiles, then the system/network admin can install the software for the user as administrator, and then the subsequent use of the application by user does not require ‘admin’ privilege as it utilises window’s user profile folders and automatic update checks are done each time application is launched. The issues arise if roaming profiles are in use because you will need to provide ‘admin’ privilege to the user on their PC/workstation.

 

The above said, Bromcom has 100s of schools using without any security incident over the past 10+ years.

Also, whilst not browser-based, Bromcom eTimetable is the only product that has “two way sync anytime” between Cloud MIS and a timetable product and this unique feature is very popular with our users.

 

I hope that helps.

 

No software in 2022 should require local admin rights. It's a huge security concern and with schools being targeted, it's not a risk we can take.

[supportman]

Lets hope it gets bumped up the priorities list, we also can't use the Bromcom solution for this reason. It's very out of date and needs a new system.

[psydii]

Bromcom support just said that it doesn't require admin permissions to run. Only admin permissions to install. Provided you are not using Roaming Profiles.

 

Disabling Roaming Profiles for the timetabler is a lot less onerous matter than granting them local admin.

[georgeescott]

We’ve just moved over to Bromcom. Has anyone managed to get this working without admin rights? Or at least running as the user and asking once to elevate to install it?

[SpaceInvader83]

We’ve just moved over to Bromcom. Has anyone managed to get this working without admin rights? Or at least running as the user and asking once to elevate to install it?

We have it working under a standard user, I think I ended up moving it manually into Program Files to prevent me having to add any additional applocker rules but I can double check if you need.

[kennysarmy]

Hi Rob446,

Bromcom’s browser-based e-Timetable project timeline slipped because of our work on Covid-related features taking priority over the last 18 months. A release date will be published later this year.

Until it’s released, similar to any other Windows-based timetabling software in the market, if users need to install and run e-Timetable on local laptop/PC, it will mean local Admin rights, which we appreciate can become a security challenge. This is where security policy of school or MAT may become an issue and creates this challenging decision for the school.

However, if you are not using roaming profiles, then the system/network admin can install the software for the user as administrator, and then the subsequent use of the application by user does not require ‘admin’ privilege as it utilises window’s user profile folders and automatic update checks are done each time application is launched. The issues arise if roaming profiles are in use because you will need to provide ‘admin’ privilege to the user on their PC/workstation.

The above said, Bromcom has 100s of schools using without any security incident over the past 10+ years.

Also, whilst not browser-based, Bromcom e-Timetable is the only product that has “two way sync anytime” between Cloud MIS and a timetable product and this unique feature is very popular with our users.

I hope that helps.

 

Any closer to the web version???

[Bromcom_Support_2]

Any closer to the web version???

 

Hi Kennysarmy

 

 

Thank you for the question. The answer is yes development is progressing nicely. We do not have a nailed on date just yet but I would expect this becomes clearer in a month or two. As soon as we know more we will share it with everyone.

 

For now I can, however share with you some of the exciting features being worked on, which are as follows;

 

 

• Improved flows for planning and curriculum plan, staffing and rooming processes, whilst retaining the key features of the existing software.
  
• New "conflict" functionality to handle some of those tricky questions timetablers need to handle, as well as improved checks and functionality for classes without a teacher or room.
  
• For scheduling, we are aiming to provide more system driven solutions to accompany the excellent drag and drop feature we already have.
  

 

If you have any other questions, feel free to DM me.

 

Kind regards,

Mem