Nova-T

[noelmm]

Hi everyone,

 

I've been asked to look into the cost of a Nova-T licence but I'm not sure where the best place to look is.

 

Currently we use Bromcom for our MIS along with e-Timetable to write our timetable which allows us to quickly and easily import the timetable file into the MIS.

 

This year our SLT chose to contract out the timetable and the person writing it uses Nova-T. As Nova T outputs a file type that isn't recognised by Bromcom they have advised us we need to open the file and export it as a 3rd party export (I have asked the person writing the timetable if they can do this and I'm currently waiting on an answer) using Nova-T.

 

As we have never used this software we do not have a licence for it so would need to purchase it, can anyone tell me how much this should cost and the best company to contact?

 

Thanks

 

Noel

[DrBeaker]

I don't have much to do with this, but I thought it was a module within SIMS and therefore to had to have SIMS to get it to work?

 

Surely if you're contracting it out it's up to whoever's doing the work or approved the timetable work to make sure they deliver it i.e. the timetable is in a usable format for you if you use Bromcom?

[noelmm]

I thought Sims was needed but the timetabler has said that's not the case, I need to confirm that though.

 

Our SLT seems to think we have to fix the problem although I disagree with that view but I said I will look into options while I await confirmation from the timetabler.

[DrBeaker]

I thought Sims was needed but the timetabler has said that's not the case, I need to confirm that though.

 

Our SLT seems to think we have to fix the problem although I disagree with that view but I said I will look into options while I await confirmation from the timetabler.

I know it's a really old app that looks really crap especially on a larger HD monitor.

The staff use a a menu in SIMS and load it from there. It really looks like some 16-bit app from the 90s. I've never used it, only seen it being used.

 

No-one I've ever worked with who uses it rates it, but I don't know what the alternatives are. It's better than nothing.

Maybe give Capita a shout?

[aicrd]

You don't need SIMS to use Nova T and it does work standalone however I'm not sure if Capita actually sell it separately from SIMS.

 

I'm assuming they do since the "satellite" version of Nova asks for a licence key before you launch it

[DrBeaker]

Interesting... You learn something new every day in our jobs.

 

Wonder how it actually works if they don't have an active SIMS install? Maybe some dummy data or something?

[aicrd]

I think the timetable data itself is stored in Nova and not SIMS? So they are independent from each other? I'm no expert though and never used Nova before.

 

I just know we have an installer for Nova standalone on our network drive I believe it was used before on an old laptop that didnt have any SIMS or network access.

[3s-gtech]

Yeah NT6 (note: NT4 is a 16 bit application so don’t think anyone will be using that now) stores the files outside of SIMS. Looks are deceiving - it’s not a bad piece of code. It is very much built for SIMS though so not sure how easily you can port your timetable across but this looks relevant: https://support.bromcom.com/Documentation/Importing%20Nova-T%20TT%20in%20to%20Bromcom.pdf

[noelmm]

Hi All,

 

While the external contractor who created our timetable hasn't provided the file in the correct format they have provided a link to a downloadable version of Nova along with a license file. While I don't know if the free license would allow a user to create a timetable it has allowed me to open the file provided and export it into the format needed.

 

If it's useful to anyone the files can be found here (link removed to ensure no licenses are used incorrectly)

 

Thanks everyone for the comments and help.

 

Noel

Edited August 21, 2020 by noelmm

[ajp233]

Nova-T can be purchased as a standalone licence. If your external contractor is using Nova-T6 to construct the timetable she/he needs to go to Data > Export to Third Party Systems, and select to export in XML format. This will create a number of files - NCLASS.XML, TBTRA.XML, TBTRB.XML, TBTRC.XML etc. They can then zip up the xml files together and send them across to you.

 

Extract the xml files to a folder and in Bromcom go to Modules > Curriculum > Apply Timetable Model (Nova-T6). Point Bromcom to the location of the NCLASS.XML file and the other TBTR files and click Process.

[ajp233]

The last time I enquired about the cost of Nova-T6 standalone, which was in Jan 2019, I was told the one off license cost was £1247.5, and the ongoing yearly fee would be £994 - that was for a school with less than 250 pupils on roll.

 

Was e-Timetable not able to produce the timetable you needed?

[aicrd]

Hi All,

If it's useful to anyone the files can be found here LINK REMOVED]

Thanks everyone for the comments and help.

 

That's interesting. Those files aren't supposed to be publicly accessible? I believe only people with a valid licence can access the download files and it is a bit odd that they linked you to that download as its not even an official Capita site but rather a support unit by the looks of it

Edited August 21, 2020 by aicrd
Removed link

[ajp233]

@aicrd @noelmm Yes the satellite installations files should not be publicly available. You still need a valin licence file to use Nova-T6, whether as standalone or via a SIMS licence

[noelmm]

We were advised by the timetable the version I have linked to is free to use to open the files and the files can be found easily enough on Google however I will remove the link to be certain.

[noelmm]

The member of SLT doing the timetable wasn't able to get along with e-timetable so they sourced it out to someone who uses NOva-T. Can I ask where you had your quote from back in 2019?

[ajp233]

The quote was direct from Capita.