CMIS back to SIMS...anyone done this ?

[Feebs]

One of our schools is returning to SIMS from Serco. We have CTF-ed the pupils in.

 

The problem is that the school had to put leaving dates into Serco for all pupils in order to be able to create the CTFs.

 

Now, when we import the CTFs into SIMS the pupils have a start date that’s not correct – it’s the date we created the CTFs.

 

This is causing us problems. Wondered if anyone else had come across this problem?

 

Any advice much appreciated.

[Guest coquet636]

Instead of leaving the students why not ust create a ctf using the create for another application method.

 

Then all students are left in cmis and you then have a ctf to import into SIM's.

[Feebs]

thanks for prompt reply...much appreciated. Does there not need to be a leaving date entered in CMIS ?

 

Instead of leaving the students why not ust create a ctf using the create for another application method.

 

Then all students are left in cmis and you then have a ctf to import into SIM's.

[maniac]

thanks for prompt reply...much appreciated. Does there not need to be a leaving date entered in CMIS ?

 

Not necessarily, you can create CTF files for transfering data around other than when the student leaves or joins the school. I seem to recall a couple of applications which use the CTF file as their prefered import method, Exam board software and the like. It's been a while since I used Sercos product, but I expect somewhere in there wil be a CTF export option which will not need a leaving date.

 

Mike.

[Guest coquet636]

i have never needed to put one in..... use it when kids are referred to outside agencies but have to stay on our roll. Edited March 24, 2010 by coquet636

[Feebs]

Problem we now have is that the CTF from CMIS has already been imported into SIMS.net so each pupil imported has a school history entry showing the current school and a leaving date (the one entered in CMIS) and the pupil record has a start date of the day after which isn’t correct as they have been at the school for a few years.

 

This is causing problems in our Capita One system as the start dates are obviously different.

 

 

i have never needed to put one in..... use it when kids are referred to outside agencies but have to stay on our roll.

[Guest coquet636]

Not done it in SIM's, but when importing into CMIS you could overwrite all data already stored. Is there not a way to do this in SIM's it was just a tick box in CMIS

[Sarconia]

Hello there, I've been a long time reader of this forum and after seeing this post - I couldn't resist any longer, I've got to chip in!

 

You should be able to amend all of your students dates of admission, as long as your academic year(s) exist prior to when they were added in by the CTF.

 

The biggest problem with this is that there is no bulk update feature to amend students dates of admission and that for however far you backdate the students entry into the school, you'll also have to add attendance data (apply a code over a date range is the quickest way to do that) and all other data.

 

It's a massive task which will involve a lot of manual data entry as a CTF only contains basic student details, good luck!

[PhilNeal]

We do offer a chargable service (it is not automated) that will take over a lot more than the CTF data.

[GeneralDreedle]

CTF export option which will not need a leaving date

 

In Facility it's on this menu:

Returns / CTF / Produce File for Other Application

 

Shouldn't Capita have pointed that one out? Do they not offer changeover guidance?

 

How much have you done to those pupils since? - might be easier to get rid of them and reimport.

[Feebs]

Can't remove and re-import unfortunately as the timetable is now in, so looks like we have got some considerable manual amending to do.

 

Looks like the only thing we can do is to change the admission date in SIMS.net back to their original start date there are over 500 pupils so this is going to be a huge job.

 

 

 

 

In Facility it's on this menu:

Returns / CTF / Produce File for Other Application

 

Shouldn't Capita have pointed that one out? Do they not offer changeover guidance?

 

How much have you done to those pupils since? - might be easier to get rid of them and reimport.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Feebs

[JPS]

Trick is dont switch back. Capita obviously have a very poor implementation process if they stuffed up on something that simple but yet important!

[vikpaw]

lol.

i'm actually interested in the process a school goes through that leads to such a major change, is it function driven, senior management, teachers. how long an eval process goes on...

[Sivadam]

Trick is dont switch back. Capita obviously have a very poor implementation process if they stuffed up on something that simple but yet important!

 

JPS,

That seems a tad bit harsh! (or maybe even ridiculously harsh even!)

And, maybe, very telling for a second ever post in these forums.

Perhaps you should re-read the original post - they put a leaving date in, in Serco!

 

One cannot blame any software for human error!

 

Or maybe Serco won't allow a CTF to be created without a Leaving Date? If this is so, then perhaps your stones need throwing in a different direction?

Edited May 23, 2010 by Sivadam

[JPS]

JPS,

That seems a tad bit harsh! (or maybe even ridiculously harsh even!)

And, maybe, very telling for a second ever post in these forums.

Perhaps you should re-read the original post - they put a leaving date in, in Serco!

 

One cannot blame any software for human error!

 

Or maybe Serco won't allow a CTF to be created without a Leaving Date? If this is so, then perhaps your stones need throwing in a different direction?

 

Apologies, but I just speak my mind. I appreciate it is only my opinion. Facility is able to create a CTF for another application without any leaving date specified.

[PhilNeal]

JPS I don't think you are reading the original posting correctly. Feebs if you need help in this task we have experience.

[Sivadam]

Apologies, but I just speak my mind. I appreciate it is only my opinion. Facility is able to create a CTF for another application without any leaving date specified.

The whole point is that they DID input a leaving date!

[michael2k6]

Hi everyone,

 

Lets not turn this into a software bashing fest on anyones part, there's just no need for it. They did input a leaving date, there was an alternative way of doing it that they were unaware of. So let's concetrate on getting them sorted out, so keep to constructive input please.

Thanks to everyones input so far, but Feebs sorry to hear you're leaving us, and i hope you get some more constructive advice from people with SIMS experience, else leave it in Phil's capable hands.

 

Regards

Mic

Technical Engineer

Serco

[vikpaw]

We do offer a chargable service (it is not automated) that will take over a lot more than the CTF data.

 

Since the data has gone over, and is basically what they want, aside from the incorrect dates, there must be a fairly easy way to bulk change the start dates.

Naturally it's an extra service, that would no doubt be chargeable (maybe discounted as a welcome gift / goodwill .. . ?), but at least will fix the problem.

 

I guess CMIS and the data is still available...? so you can export all the original data needed, and then map it to the students now held in SIMS, by admission number..?

I'm sure they can write a patch for you to modify the database. I imagine the school history and start dates are in separate tables in the SQL that just need editing in bulk via a Capita approved script...

[Ketlane]

lol.

i'm actually interested in the process a school goes through that leads to such a major change, is it function driven, senior management, teachers. how long an eval process goes on...

 

 

Our change (now 4 years ago, and we haven't looked back) was driven by five things:

 

1. Dreadful customer service from the company concerned (I won't name them as it was some time ago and things may well have changed a lot)

2. The promise of excellent service from the new company, which has certainly been delivered.

3. The demand to demystify and - if you like - to democratise access to the data, so that all staff could get what they wanted quickly and intuitively, and to make the support of the MIS much less technical. This, too has worked out really well.

4. The offer of increased functionality in response to our requests, flexibility, customisation and so on. There is now so much in the system that we wouldn't even have thought of four years ago.

5. Evidence that the MIS would run much, much faster than the old one.

 

We also needed a sixth:

 

6. A promise (also fulfilled) that the migration would work without huge hassle.

 

Our biggest frustration now is that we can only roll out the next wonderful bits of functionality at the pace we can comfortably carry the staff - but we have set up one new function this week and there'll be more soon!

 

The decision was developed by the academic management team before going to senior management with a firm proposal.

 

(and if you were wondering - SchoolBase)

[MattMitchell]

If you re-imported CTFs with different leaving dates would they change in SIMS?

 

If so, lemme know - I'd probably knock you up something to transform the ctfs as a freebie...