[sims] SIMS Dump

[kennysarmy]

Is it possible to take a "dump" of all data in SIMS?

 

Perhaps by student in a CSV file?

 

We're moving away from SIMS in the near future to Bromcom and wondered the best way to gain a historical snapshot of the data held.

[Edu-IT]

I don't believe there is a way unless you do it via a report.

 

Don't Capita provide a read only copy of the database?

[Chaniel]

Pretty sure all your SIMS data will get imported directly into Bromcom, including all the historical data, right? If that isn't the case, just keep your SIMS SQL Database and you have access to all the data (although not very useful without SQL queries etc.)

 

You could also run some reports to get CSVs of the data, but I can't really see a use case where that'd be necessary compared to just using Bromcom.

[pete]

You can simply archive the VM just in case.

 

But I'd migrate any data that you need (retention and destruction schedule is your friend) into Bromcom.

[DODICT]

only thing I'm aware of you might miss is documents - they dont come across ( well didn't in March and strongly suspect thats still the case) . If you really really want them I know groupcall can migrate them for a cost.

 

The one good thing about SIMs licensing is you pay for updates so as an ex customer you can keep your current version sat there as an archive so definitely wouldnt be looking to export anything to flat files - as suggested just keep a VM sat with DB and client on and access when needed.

[kennysarmy]

Pretty sure all your SIMS data will get imported directly into Bromcom, including all the historical data, right? If that isn't the case, just keep your SIMS SQL Database and you have access to all the data (although not very useful without SQL queries etc.)

 

You could also run some reports to get CSVs of the data, but I can't really see a use case where that'd be necessary compared to just using Bromcom.

 

I thought they said they'd only go to students within a 5 year leaving period...I'll confirm.

[kennysarmy]

I also had this back from our local LEA SIMS Support office.

 

If you want to keep your SIMS database for reference / archive you will need to purchase a licence. As an academy you will need to liaise with Capita via [email protected] to arrange the migration of any data and to cancel your active licence.

[supportman]

I thought they said they'd only go to students within a 5 year leaving period...I'll confirm.

 

Its current on roll + 5 years. The rest needs to be archived in some way if you do need access.

[kennysarmy]

Its current on roll + 5 years. The rest needs to be archived in some way if you do need access.

 

Thanks.

 

Are the LEA correct in that we need to buy a licence to keep our old SIMS Server running?

[supportman]

Thanks.

 

Are the LEA correct in that we need to buy a licence to keep our old SIMS Server running?

 

I did not think so, but have not checked myself. At the very least you will have the SQL database that could be manually searched if needed.

[Primus]

Thanks.

 

Are the LEA correct in that we need to buy a licence to keep our old SIMS Server running?

 

Are you an academy already - I ask because if you were changing MIS at the same time as becoming an academy then you would need to purchase a SIMS licence to have access to SIMS remain in place.

 

Otherwise if you already have a SIMS licence then it is perpetual, the yearly fee is the entitlement to updates and support - therefore you can drop paying the yearly fee but still use SIMS to access archived data as and when.

[bobsmith]

I know that Serco/Advanced Learning/whoever owns Facility CMIS this week - did not offer a perpetual licence - but the data in a SQL database is yours. And none of these MIS providers own MS SQL....

[DODICT]

Thats how I understood it and not been contradicted by Capita with the terminations I've initiated. others are different but sure that is how the license was structured for SIMs. Other companies do actually lay claim to the data base structures etc so say you cant retain the database which is ridiculous when looking at table of students - apparently the novel approach of calling the columns forename, surname and DOB is their intellectual property ! I would make sure I did whatever was needed to avoid handing over another penny to capita however ! They have over charged and undelivered for a long long while.

 

And Advanced are one of the companies that insist on a archive license to access the database - dont want to derail the thread but Advanced wouldn't agree with Bobs statement above.

Edited May 20, 2020 by DODICT

[Primus]

When you became an academy you should have bought a licence - academies are not eligible to use the LEA licences. If you never did this then you've been running for a long time without the correct licence in place. If you did buy the licence upon conversion then you're fine as it's perpetual.

 

- - - Updated - - -

@kennysarmy can you clarify as above?

[kennysarmy]

When you became an academy you should have bought a licence - academies are not eligible to use the LEA licences. If you never did this then you've been running for a long time without the correct licence in place. If you did buy the licence upon conversion then you're fine as it's perpetual.

 

- - - Updated - - -

@kennysarmy can you clarify as above?

 

Yes we have our own academy licence.

 

Which is why I don't know why the LEA SIMS team would have sent me this:

 

Good Morning,

If you want to keep your SIMS database for reference / archive you will need to purchase a licence. As an academy you will need to liaise with Capita via [email protected] to arrange the migration of any data and to cancel your active licence.

Regards,

[Primus]

They’re wrong. You already have a perpetual licence you just obviously won’t get updates.