SIMS .net to get facelift

[Gatt]

Just been on Capitas site and seen this article..

The SIMS .net User Interface has a new look. From July 2006 a number of improvements have been made to the design; new icons, few menu clicks, simplified menu routes, ‘favourites’, direct access to key features and much, much more. Click here for details (1.2Mb pdf)...

 

Better let the staff know - this will be fun

[indiegirl]

I can see what they're trying to do, and in theory, it'll be great - staff like simplicity (simple icons, 'favourites')... but that's exactly what we techies dislike!! Also in reality we all know what'll happen.......

 

Can't *wait* for this one to be unleashed... oh no....

[Norphy]

From the screenshot given there, it doesn't look that different. Aside from the extra toolbar, the help panels and the lovely new shade of blue it looks pretty much identical.

[Gatt]

Exactly my feelings on this IndieGirl, this is gonna be a nightmare - not only will it mean a massive upgrade - which is bound to go arse over tit! but the staff are gonna moan like there's no tomorrow cos "its different"

 

"What happened to ?"

"Where has gone?"

 

argh!

[Ric_]

ooooo - bubbly XP-style icons!

[Gatt]

anyone wanna place bets on the install time?

this months upgrade took between 30mins-1 hour!!

 

guessing 2hours minimum!!

[john]

I have never used Sims.net before, but from that PDF you have linked to it looks very much like RM Financials, so I suspect that they have seem the RM way and "enhanced" the RM way.

[Gatt]

^^ i hope not!! Never seen any glowing reports for RM

Only RM product we have is Suckass Maker

[steve]

They've been planning and consulting on this for at least 6 months to my knowledge.

 

The upgrade will be part of one of the monthly updates. So hopefully just a routine update.

 

While on one hand I'm tired of the constant updates on the other I can see the updates are making the product much better. Some of the future updates look pretty good - lesson register esp.

 

No pain no gain I suppose.

[NetworkGeezer]

The monthly updates aren't so bad. It's just the client update mechanism often has issues for non-admin users.

Who can forget the Office 2003 PIA problem :smilebox:

[john]

I have never used Stressmaker, only Integris and Financials (AKA Cash Accounts) and they were not that bad. RM Financials seems nicer now its had its facelift, much better than the 16bit Cash Accounts it replaced, its now modern, sleek, with a XP rounded feel and at last in the 21st century! Roll on the Integris update as thats feeling tired and old now.

 

Just need Serco to give Facility the XP treatment now as thats looking very tired.

[NetworkGeezer]

I have never used Stressmaker

 

:laughing3: Like it.

[Gatt]

Only good thing is that its scheduled for July - hopefully once the school year has ended and the kiddies and staff have all buggered off!!

 

I can then upgrade SIMS myself..

[NetworkGeezer]

Yes that would be a good idea.

 

Hopefully then won't it make it necessary to install the July update before running the End of Year procedure.

[Gatt]

^^ would be less hassle if it was after EoY had been completed then we arent running round as staff go into Major Panic Mode about the EoY stuff - Capita will not be on my XMAS card list if they schedule it at the beginning of July

[GrumbleDook]

It is planned before EoY is run ... considering that technically you should run EoY the day before the next year starts.

 

I've already talked a few staff through the changes and most seem happy ...

[ConTheITGuy]

Improvement number 1: "The title bar now shows your school name" - erm... in case you forget?

 

What tickles me is the "favourite students". You just know, any students for whom you may wish to bookmark their details, are not going to be your "favourite" student!!

 

 

Andy

[sahmeepee]

What tickles me is the "favourite students". You just know, any students for whom you may wish to bookmark their details, are not going to be your "favourite" student!!

 

 

In quite a lot of the sims.net interface you can right-click and customise the text shown for a particular label. I've never been entirely sure why. I wonder if SIMS.net has any moderation features to stop staff changing that part to Sh'tbag Students!

[Gatt]

I just hope they give them an option to change their passwords!

If its being integrated with AD then it will certainly help matters

[TechMonkey]

What tickles me is the "favourite students". You just know, any students for whom you may wish to bookmark their details, are not going to be your "favourite" student!!

 

 

In quite a lot of the sims.net interface you can right-click and customise the text shown for a particular label. I've never been entirely sure why. I wonder if SIMS.net has any moderation features to stop staff changing that part to Sh'tbag Students!

 

It must be a permission some where in the maze of System Manager as I can change the text but logging on as a normal teacher they can't, they don't even get the right click context menu come up.