SIMS to Arbor, What About FMS?

[Jobos]

We currently use SIMS and FMS but the head is looking to move to Arbor in the next 18 months so my question is, are other schools who have moved away from SIMS, are you still using FMS or have you moved away from FMS too?  

[Jobos]

It appears the LA will not allow us to move away from FMS so that's the end of that.

[PotNoodleTech]

The LA can't mandate what MIS or Finance software you use, that area deligated to school governing bodies and headteachers.

 

What they can mandate is a specific file type for any financial information data transfers they need, e.g. CSV or PDF.

 

One thing to note - if you do leave SIMS and keep FMS they will screw you on your renewal so you'll be paying about the same just for FMS as you were when you were paying for SIMS too.

 

Ideally you need to dump both.

Edited June 4, 2025 by PotNoodleTech

[speakercon]

Yes as above they will tell you that you can't so it makes their lives easier but they can't stop you.

 

I've not used it myself but Arbor have their own finance package now, maybe worth a look?

 

Arbor Finance | Simple accounting software for schools

[drutt]

When ESS started cancelling LEA contracts it prompted ours to investigate Arbor and Bromcom and help schools decide what they wanted to do. It was a slow process, mostly because ESS dragged their feet at every opportunity to present why schools should stick with them, but it gave us a lot of answers and ideas. We eventually went with Bromcom for both Finance and MIS.

 

There was concern for us regarding the finance side initially, but our LEA finance team started working with Bromcom and other third-parties early on to put in place systems that do the things we all need without adding unnecessary administration. I don't hear any complaints from Finance and I think the MIS overall is much better than what we had before.

[SL_Thing]

Like others have said they cant make you stay with FMS, FMS is a bag of ...., i bet it still looks like it was built in the 90s.

 

Go Arbor, and then most schools, or at least around where are using PS Financials or Civica Finance, both of which can do your purchase ledger stuff and your HR/Payroll. It is a massive change and cost but much better than FMS probably is.

[Brax]

One thing to also note is how it may impact timetabling. I'm assuming your school uses NovaT with SIMS. We had a bit of a headache with that one, the timetabling staff will need training on the new software. Good luck with the move when it goes ahead, Bromcom was excellent for us.

[Bromcom_Kirsty]

On 04/06/2025 at 14:19, cnewstead said:

When ESS started cancelling LEA contracts it prompted ours to investigate Arbor and Bromcom and help schools decide what they wanted to do. It was a slow process, mostly because ESS dragged their feet at every opportunity to present why schools should stick with them, but it gave us a lot of answers and ideas. We eventually went with Bromcom for both Finance and MIS.

 

There was concern for us regarding the finance side initially, but our LEA finance team started working with Bromcom and other third-parties early on to put in place systems that do the things we all need without adding unnecessary administration. I don't hear any complaints from Finance and I think the MIS overall is much better than what we had before.

We do try and work with LAs at Bromcom and you may find we have reports very similar to what you already use. As PotNoodleTech (great name by the way) said, often it's the file type that is key. Feel free to arrange a call with me and I am happy to go through reports etc with you. 

[PotNoodleTech]

7 minutes ago, Bromcom_Kirsty said:

We do try and work with LAs at Bromcom and you may find we have reports very similar to what you already use. As PotNoodleTech (great name by the way) said, often it's the file type that is key. Feel free to arrange a call with me and I am happy to go through reports etc with you. 

 

Flattery wil get you...............

 

 

 

......... well, everywhere!!!   

[Envs]

As a former CFO to a large authority i recently started to compare the various MIS and finance software packages for schools. I found that Bromcom offers an excellent alternative MIS and finance software package that is user friendly and saves time for both school staff and LA staff. Information flows real time. It is a win win for schools and LAs. I'm advocating it to other LA CFOs so they help with procurement and reduce costs to schools. Get in touch with the Bromcom team and i'm sure they will be delighted to help demonstrate what it can do.

[andy_b]

17 minutes ago, Envs said:

As a former CFO to a large authority i recently started to compare the various MIS and finance software packages for schools. I found that Bromcom offers an excellent alternative MIS and finance software package that is user friendly and saves time for both school staff and LA staff. Information flows real time. It is a win win for schools and LAs. I'm advocating it to other LA CFOs so they help with procurement and reduce costs to schools. Get in touch with the Bromcom team and i'm sure they will be delighted to help demonstrate what it can do.

😐

[PotNoodleTech]

20 minutes ago, Envs said:

As a former CFO to a large authority i recently started to compare the various MIS and finance software packages for schools. I found that Bromcom offers an excellent alternative MIS and finance software package that is user friendly and saves time for both school staff and LA staff. Information flows real time. It is a win win for schools and LAs. I'm advocating it to other LA CFOs so they help with procurement and reduce costs to schools. Get in touch with the Bromcom team and i'm sure they will be delighted to help demonstrate what it can do.

 

Hi what MIS and finance software did you compare other than Bromcom?

[Envs]

Arbor was one of them. I'll need to recall the other.

[Envs]

SIMS (ESS) and Scholarpack

[PotNoodleTech]

If you want to write a case study / blog post on here,  on choosing an MIS that would be cool.

 

Thanks

Edited June 11, 2025 by PotNoodleTech

[DonMcGillivray]

NOVA T6 works with SIMS (obviously) and BROMCOM.  It is not compatible with EDVAL.  The EDVAL timetabling software is terrible - basically you won't get a decent timetable for anything more complex than a primary school - you'd be better off just using an EXCEL spreadsheet.  NOVA T6 is better than anything else around including TIMETABLER.  If you use BROMCOM you can purchase NOVA T6 as a standalone for under £5k.

 

SCOMIS are not supporting the new cloud-based SIMS but you can simply buy into support from SIMS which should be better, being more direct.  All MIS systems are going cloud-based, if not already.

 

NOVA T6 SIMS is the best.  NOVA T6 with BROMCOM is also fine.  EDVAL - don't even go there - a disaster waiting to happen!