[sims] SIMS Parent App Problems

[duesouth]

This term, we've been finding a number of our parents have been struggling with the SIMS Parent App - the app not the browser version. Registered users get this screenshot - and go around in a loop.

 

 

I've been in touch with ESS and my County support team - but I got this from ESS (and less from my County support team) with the latest user with the problem:

 

"After doing some testing with the Mr X's account unfortunately we can not replicate the error properly on both the website or the app when logged in as this user.

The app did seem to loop initially when I first logged in on iOS but once I closed the app (i.e. stopped it running completely) and then logged back in it was fine. We have tried on both iOS and Android OS.

The website however was no issue at all.

This is usually an indication of device or local network issues.

Personally, I would (as good mobile device practice in general) minimise the number of coherently running apps. Cookies on browsers will help functionality but I would recommend periodically clearing them.

Make sure the mobile device OS is up to date as well.

Unfortunately, there is not much else I can advise."

 

Is this just our parents or have you been having similar issues?

 

I also find with SIMS ID when the password expires, it doesn't always ask the user to reset and they can't get in - even the forgotten password link doesn't work. Then it falls to me to reset, which when you get a lot of them takes up time I don't have.

 

Fair to say I feel un-supported with this and not happy with the app at all. I did mention to ESS that generally I am a SIMS fan, but if there's a reason why we would move to another system (discussions have already happened), the app would be a large reason as parents are really frustrated with it - but ESS feel they've allocated more resources to the app and believe it's working well...

[free780]

Just bumping this post as messages arn't loading for me (as a parent). Is Sims Parent always this slow?

[duesouth]

We've continued to have problems with the Parent App - particularly the SIMS ID users. Since we released our termly pupil reports on the app in the last week of the Autumn term, we've had over 90 parents coming to me with issues. The vast majority are SIMS ID users. We've got the "Forgot Password?" functionality engaged, so this then means parents have to change their passwords every 90 days. For many app users (doesn't seem to be browser version users), when their password expires the app doesn't prompt them for a new password. I've been back and forward with ESS and the last call in December they pushed up to the product team - but not a word from them (although to be fair, ESS did say that might be the case).

 

So, for me, the product is not fit for purpose (reviews on the app stores are terrible) - but good luck getting ESS to 1) acknowledge the app is poor and 2) doing something about it.