Alternative to Parentpay

[jtcoops]

Hi all

 

We are just about done with Parentpay as their support is non-existent these days, and are looking for an alternative as we also need to change our cashless catering system (currently Cypad - part of Parentpay - utterly dreadful).

 

Any recommendations as we are also looking to dump Sims, with Arbor being the front runner. Ideally we want one system which will handle parents and staff cash for lunches, school trips etc, but also for comms as we currently have split systems for sending emails or texts and one that will integrate with Arbor.

 

Any recommendations gratefully received.

[DBR99]

We're in the same position - Parentpay/Cypad and support is shocking. We're moving to Arbor over October half term, take a look at the different Arbor packages, Core,Comms, Perform and Collaborate, I think you need Arbor perform to get the payments plus module which includes payments for trips, meals, meal selection etc etc.

For my sins I'm project leading our SIMS -Arbor migration, we plan to move the core functions over Oct Half term, but temporarily re-connect to Parentpay etc before binning that and moving to Arbor Pay in Feb half term 25, just to avoid trying to change too much at once and before our PArentpay contract runs out on 31st March 25.

Edited May 2, 2024 by DBR99

[FragglePete]

We are currently Schoolcomms - but they are also now part of the ParentPay group and the first thing they did when they took over many years ago...... force 3 year contracts and development has been non-existent since.

 

We just migrated to Arbor (over the Christmas break) and while Schoolcomms migrated us for free without forcing a new contract, Cunninghams charged us to do the migration - the only company to do so.

 

We moving payments over to Arbor over the Summer as our contract with Schoolcomms is in its final year. Cunninghams are charging us again to do the payment migration!

 

I'd say, just get it moved into Arbor but your timings may prove difficult.

 

Pete

[TheCookieMonster]

We use Bromcom which links to our till system with parents paying via the app. I think our bundle we purchased was the One Stop Shop which has enabled us to slowly move away from some 3rd party subscriptions.

[DavR]

We're in the process of migrating to Arbor also. We're sticking with our existing payments system til the end of term, and then going with the Arbor payments system and Meal package from September.

[sefton]

We moved all of our schools over to Arbor Pay after we moved from Sims to Arbor.

[supportman]

Yes both Arbor and Bromcom have payment systems.

 

The days of needing 3rd party cashless systems are thankfully gone when you move away from Sims. Same for comms, its all integrated in the MIS.