New MIS - timetabling

[smurfomatic]

We're in the process of changing MIS, from Engage to iSAMS. We have always used the built-in Engage timetable module, but evidently iSAMS does not have the same features.

 

Other schools in the group have advised use to use Timetabler.com (whose delightfully retro website tells me that the software runs on Windows 98 and above!) - does anyone have experience of using it? Is it as straightforward as they claim?

[kirbster73]

We're in the process of changing MIS, from Engage to iSAMS. We have always used the built-in Engage timetable module, but evidently iSAMS does not have the same features.

 

Other schools in the group have advised use to use Timetabler.com (whose delightfully retro website tells me that the software runs on Windows 98 and above!) - does anyone have experience of using it? Is it as straightforward as they claim?

 

Hi, we are an isams school and use timetabler. We,moved to timetabler 3 years ago and I think it’s great. Yes, looks dated but does the job really well. Easy import into isams too if you wanted to.

 

Feel free to DM if you have any other questions.

[smurfomatic]

Thanks - we were hoping that iSAMS had a built in timetable module in a similar way to Engage but looks like we'll have to pay for another add-on...

 

Does timetabler have the option for a two week timetable?

[dhicks]

We're in the process of changing MIS, from Engage to iSAMS.

 

We are using Timetabler with iSAMS. Timetabler looks like (and is) an older piece of software, but it is very much in active development and has a scheduled release every year, it just still works like older software. It isn't document-orientated - there's no "File, Open..." dialog for the end user to open up a Timetabler "document", it simply loads up the timetable data from its own internal database. There's no multi-user capability, and if you want to edit several different timetables you'll need to make multiple copies of Timetabler.

 

The above pretty much puts Timetabler into the so-old-it's-new category - we've found the easiest way to run it is to give it it's own dedicated VM with web-based remote access and let people run it from a browser.

[Danp]

Have used Timetabler and iSAMS, but currently, I did the timetable in a standard spreadsheet and imported into iSAMS.

[supportman]

Yeh we just bought timetabler as had simiar issues with Bromcoms outdated bundled software.

 

To be fair, timetabler actually seems to be fully featured and get the job done. It just lacks some visual eye candy and yeh the website is terrible. Trying to order took us days or reading it haha but we got there in the end.

[ChrisH]

I've also used timetabler for the last 5-6 years, I couldn't imagine trying to schedule it in something like Nova 6.

[darlington-chikumba]

Looks like import frpm spreadsheet is the way to go if you don't want to invest in another third party timetabling app

[smurfomatic]

Looks like import frpm spreadsheet is the way to go if you don't want to invest in another third party timetabling app

 

Found out in our training this week how to format a spreadsheet to import the timetable, so will try that and see if I can save some of the budget by not buying Timetabler!