SIMS Support

[Ric_]

I'm particularly interested in hearing from Lancashire schools but input from Cumbria is also welcomed.

 

It's that time of year that we have to pay The Westfield Centre vast quantities of cash for SIMS support (on top of the vast sums for SIMS licensing). I don't have a problem with paying for the support, I mearly question the value for money that we receive.

 

I have spoken to The Westfield Centre and am awaiting a reply next week as to whether a support contract better suited to my situation will be possible - we have no need of remote upgrades, disaster recovery and server loan and nobody from the school has ever heard of a 'User Day' until now!

 

So to my questions... does anybody receive their support from anyone else - e.g. Capita? Also, is the current offering from Westfield actually better value fopr money than it appears?

[Gatt]

At present we get our support from our LEA (Salford) though the same questions have been asked here about them - and one name that came up was Westfield Centre

 

Speaking of which - i really should look at getting in touch with them for getting on a SIMS System Admin Course

[Ric_]

OK.. a little more investigating has turned up the following:

 

1. Westfield MAY offer us the chance of discounted support on a kind of 'no claims discount' scheme because we make such light use of their support - usuaully it is only to clarify their instructions or ask about returns, etc.

 

2. The quote for licenses and support direct from Capita is over £2k less than that from Westfield - for the same cover as far as I can see.

 

I need to see how option 1 pans out but £2k is a lot of money!

[vikpaw]

I'm direct with Capita. Not sure how much it costs.

 

At old school it was much more expensive, especially if you needed remote control, or recovery.

Alternatively there was the option of just paying for on-site help per day if you needed it, like £1000 per day or something crazy.

 

We just email problems in at the moment get good service, plus, can log calls direct on SupportNet if we want. Must say it's better service than i'm used to, but then I was with an awful third party before..

[Gatt]

In general, what is the difference in price between

 

LEA Support (Which we have)

Direct Capita Support

From someone like Westfield?

 

Also - do westfield offer system manager training courses - can only find info on every module BUT System Manager

[Ric_]

AFAIK Westfield will train anyone on anything (for a price).

 

As for price, it depends on which modules you use, haow big your school is and which way the wind is blowing - this is true of everyonw so you need to get quotes.

[Gatt]

Cool - will try and give them a call next week for me and my tech..

[Ric_]

^^ BUMP... anybody else?