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Timetabling Software

C3PO

By C3PO
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C3PO

C3PO

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I have a question in relation to timetabling software. We still use Nova-T and I know this is going to be non-supported soon and I just wonder if there are alternative better solutions out there that work across different MIS systems - or I wonder if there is a new version of Nova-T being developed as a stand-alone product.

 

I'm just looking at options and thinking of time in re-training etc given the person has been using Nova for 10+ years and didnt have a chance to see any at BETT this year.

 

Thanks

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vikpaw

vikpaw

Posted
Posted
We find ACS is popular with out users, and there was also a new cloud based one, but can't remember the name and not experience of it.
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BKGarry

BKGarry

Posted
Posted

We moved from NT-6 to Timetabler when we changed MIS. It is a steep learning curve changing, as Timetabler is much stricter with it's rules, that NT6 could just break/ignore.

 

I would be interested in the source that NT-6 is no longer going to be supported soon, as that is one of the big reasons I see people staying with SIMS, that the Timetabling package is owned and supported in the same was as the MIS.

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Bromcom_John

Bromcom_John

Posted
Posted

Well there are also Edval and Keith Johnson Timetabler (now owned by the Key Group)

We have our own built in Timetable solution but, as the question was regarding cross platform, that doesn't apply.

I have personal experience with Timetabler (as part of learning it for our partners program) and have nothing but good to say about the software put together by Keith, Chris and the team.

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TRSJon

TRSJon

Posted
Posted
I have a question in relation to timetabling software. We still use Nova-T and I know this is going to be non-supported soon and I just wonder if there are alternative better solutions out there that work across different MIS systems - or I wonder if there is a new version of Nova-T being developed as a stand-alone product.

 

I'm just looking at options and thinking of time in re-training etc given the person has been using Nova for 10+ years and didnt have a chance to see any at BETT this year.

 

Thanks

 

Morning

 

Where did you hear that Nova-T is going to be non-supported? Our data manager hadn't heard so would appreciate info...

 

Thanks

TechMonkey

TechMonkey

Posted
Posted

I haven't used it but apparently iSAMS is starting to partner with Untis from Gruber & Peters. They have an online version/facility. I want our timetabler to get a demo and report back.

 

I have used KJ Timetabler in the past and it is a comprehensive tool and does a good job, but hasn't been modernised in far too long. I know the argument is that the looks don't matter as long as it does the job, but there is only so long that can be used, with resolutions and desktops bigger than ever and odd glitches happening due to how things are expected to work.

C3PO

C3PO

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It was at an actual SIMS stand when they were launching NextGen and the person said that they were phasing it out along with FMS and will be non-supported. I dont know when though in terms of timeline as I have no idea what they have developed n NextGen
vikpaw

vikpaw

Posted
Posted
It was at an actual SIMS stand when they were launching NextGen and the person said that they were phasing it out along with FMS and will be non-supported. I dont know when though in terms of timeline as I have no idea what they have developed n NextGen

 

Ohh, I wouldn't trust a timeline from SIMS. They might still be phasing it out in 10 years, while they're phasing in the 'new' NexterGen. ;)

 

Not sure if EdVal was the one I was thinking of, it's part of TES and I thought this other one was independent.

Quite a few have KJ Timetabler, but it's quite complex to learn (though super powerful).

We have a couple of schools using GP Untis, but for ease of use ACS still seems to be the lead.

Ditto

Ditto

Posted
Posted
I have a question in relation to timetabling software. We still use Nova-T and I know this is going to be non-supported soon and I just wonder if there are alternative better solutions out there that work across different MIS systems - or I wonder if there is a new version of Nova-T being developed as a stand-alone product.

 

I'm just looking at options and thinking of time in re-training etc given the person has been using Nova for 10+ years and didnt have a chance to see any at BETT this year.

 

Thanks

Who are "We". Just looking to understand if "We" is a primary (unlikely) secondary, all-through, special or other schoo!. Or are you a MAT. If so, what size? With that detail and knowing what "MIS" your school(s) use will better enable a targeted reply.

psydii

psydii

Posted
Posted (edited)
... the person said that they were phasing it out

 

That's a bold stance to take. The power and influence the Timetabler has, it seems to me is the only thing keeping some schools on SIMS, and if NovaT goes, then so does that tether.

 

I'm all for it, because when the timetabler says "over my dead body" it takes us to one of the murkier corners of change management.

Edited by psydii
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SIMS_Customer_Support

SIMS_Customer_Support

Posted
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Hi, it looks like there may have been some miscommunication so just clear up any confusion, there are no plans to stop supporting Nova T6 now or in the future.

 

We will also continue supporting FMS while we are developing our cloud finance solution, Finance Next Gen (FNG). The first part of this development is Finance Next Gen Reporting which simplifies reporting and analysing financial information. Over 70% of Finance Next Gen Reporting is already available and the rest will be by the end of March 2025.

 

The core part of Finance Next Gen will provide a “like-for-like” replacement for FMS6 in the cloud, with additional functionality for MATs and School Groups. Further details on FNG will come throughout 2025.

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Aftab_Ahmed

Aftab_Ahmed

Posted
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Hi - Just reading the latest post from SIMS_Customer_Support - does that mean there is a new version of Nova T is being developed as you mentioned Finance and not timetabling or is it a case that the old version of Nova is being integrated with the new version of NextGen ??
psydii

psydii

Posted
Posted (edited)

That position is in line with the approach of the other big two.

 

Timetabling is one of those systems that may forever be locked to the platform on which it was developed. NT4 -> NT6 took probably a decade before everyone had made the move.

 

Bromcom e-Timetable was developed twenty years ago, and while the frameworks on which it was built were supposed to allow for easy portability into a web-delivered solution, it's taken quite a while to get there.

 

and Arbor's Timetabler (formerly 'Keith Johnson's Timetabler') is basically as old as (if not older than) NovaT4 would be today.

 

 

I would not be surprised in the least if in 20 years time, when we are all using completely different PC Operating system/architectures, many schools keep an Windows 11 (equivalent) VM around simply for the timetable software.

Edited by psydii
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Timetable

Timetable

Posted
Posted
As a former user of Nova-T and now a current user of Timetabler (Keith Johnson version), i can say its not too steep a learning curve and Timetabler is slightly better than Nova-T. Yes there are features of both that outweigh the other, but on the whole I find Timetabler easier and once you get your head round how to build the blocking and splits, it schedules and points out issues/changes in an easier more visual way.
C3PO

C3PO

Posted
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Dear All,

I'm a little confused here as the person who was on the SIMs stand at BETT at that time made it clear - that it was being phased out and now I'm hearing it isn't.

If cloud solutions is the way forward, then is it not better to have a full cloud based TT application like some of the other competitors

mikes

mikes

Posted
Posted
Our timetabling person is using Timetabler as well - no idea what version or what they make of it sorry. Seemed easy to install, just installed as admin and allowed via applocker
C3PO

C3PO

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I have just been doing some research into this and very interesting resonses in this thread. e-Timetable is an old software solution which has now been developed into w-timetable (see link below) which is powered by AI and a true cloud based solution

 

https://docs.bromcom.com/product-portfolio/timetable/

 

The others as suggested are stand-alone based applications which were developed a very long time and with demands and developments of cloud services - having a true cloud based tt soution may be the way forward.

  • 1 month later...
Bromcom_John

Bromcom_John

Posted
Posted (edited)

I think EDVAL is probably one of the newer arrivals in the Timetable sphere. Only 7 years old according to Google (at least as a company, more as a provision apparently).. Also part of a bigger group, TES, so they presumably, have the benefit of that corporate support framework around them.
Would also like to see that feedback on UNTIS.

Edited by Bromcom_John
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