SMS Comparisons/Recommendations?

[davidwdeeds]

Hi. I'm the IT Teacher/Manager for Changchun American International School in China. We're a new/small school...about 100 students now, anticipating 300 within a few years. We're shopping around for a School Management System (SMS)...we're looking at E1 Phoenix among others. Does anyone know of an SMS features comparison grid that's available? Anyone have any recommendations/warnings? Thanks!

[EduTech]

Not sure how this would refect for yourself, but there is

 

Call Parents - Call Parents - Welcome

Truancy Call - Truancy Call - Welcome

 

I know these both integrate with SIMS.net, Not sure if they work with any other systems but they might.

 

We use them both with SIMS.net

 

James.

[CSNM-Carl]

HomeContact - E-mail and Text Messaging for Schools and Organisations - Free Trial

[Edu-IT]

I think the OP is on about what we would call an MIS, given that they've used Phoenix as an example.

 

Another to look at would be SERCO and SIMS, if you can get those?

[vikpaw]

I think the OP is on about what we would call an MIS, given that they've used Phoenix as an example.

 

Another to look at would be SERCO and SIMS, if you can get those?

 

yes that's right, given that SMS was defined, and it didn't say 'short messaging service' or whatever it stands for !

 

i directed david over here. sorry david, these guys are usually really on the ball.

 

Lots of things to consider.

 

SIMS is defo available internationally, not sure about Serco.

Bromcom is also spreading it's wings and has a whole MIS available.

A local uni' uses an MIS called SMS, which is from the states.

There are also things to consider such as add-ins like TASC software and also Bromcom's new funky apps that tap into other MIS systems.

 

I'd say you're better off making a list of what you want to do, and think big, think long term, and see what the companies offer. e.g. Registration, Reporting, data stored (students, staff, parents?), timetabling, assessment, exam results, addressing systems, admissions, special needs, curriculum/lesson planning, link to finance even. (just thinking about what SIMS offers.)

 

Being international here, it's a pain making SIMS work with our nuances. We also, don't have to abide by all the stringent regulations in the UK which is their biggest market, so getting things customised is hard. Support can also be quite slow, waiting on the next planned upgrade for fixes...

 

So it's worth thinking about the environment the school is in, what need is there for reporting to the government if any, and to parents depending on cultural need, etc.

 

I believe Serco product gives you much greater access to the back end SQL and so could be more appropriate, though a little more difficult to run too.

 

Bromcom have always been great at making customisations, and support is quick.

 

A new custom built MIS recently came on the market, which promises to have some open configurability (is that a word?).

 

Other things to think about are whether you want an online learning platform, what data you would show, and how easy it is to get out of the system.

[vikpaw]

This is funny:

Just out of interest i googled the topic "mis comparison school" to see what would come up.

David's original post here on EG is in the top 10 and straight after it is the following Choosing a school MIS system which as you read mentions going to places like EduGeek for more detailed info!

Edited March 16, 2010 by vikpaw

[vikpaw]

worth looking at this document from Becta too:

http://schools.becta.org.uk/upload-dir/downloads/IMP_Requirements_final_v1.pdf

[garrysaddington]

worth looking at this document from Becta too:

http://schools.becta.org.uk/upload-dir/downloads/IMP_Requirements_final_v1.pdf

 

If you read the very first mandatory point in this document it seems to suggest that SIMS should not be used, as you can't access it using web protocols.

[vikpaw]

Shh!

don't tell anyone, do you know how difficult it is to change MIS!!!

[matt40k]

If you read the very first mandatory point in this document it seems to suggest that SIMS should not be used, as you can't access it using web protocols.

 

Your forgetting about SLG and other 9,999 other 3rd party products that interface with SIMS via a web-based interface.

[garrysaddington]

Your forgetting about SLG and other 9,999 other 3rd party products that interface with SIMS via a web-based interface.

 

Agreed, but the core MIS is not web based.

[Sivadam]

... but the core MIS is not web based.

 

... and thank goodness for that ...