localzuk Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 I've spent the last 2 days trying to get pricing from various MIS providers, so we have ideas for our potential switch to academy status. Getting those prices is like pulling teeth!! Capita - Having a single person who deals with our area, who spends their entire life in meetings is not a good way to encourage business. 2 times I've asked for quotes for things from you, and both times the person has been in a meeting all day, meaning the details didn't arrive until after I needed them. Pearson Phoenix - Your phone system is broken. When I get through to choose to speak to someone about new sales, I don't want to be put through to some random person's voicemail box! I shouldn't have to call your technical support line to get put through to someone. Serco Facility - I've called 2 days in a row, both days left details and heard nothing back. Badgering with a second call today has lead to me finding out that like Capita, you have a single person assigned to our area, and if they're in a meeting or on the phone, i'm out of luck. The only one I have praise for is ScholarPack. I got on the spot responses from Garry, and it was just nice speaking to someone easily. So, to all you MIS providers - get your sales acts together. We are not talking about tiny amounts of money, so you should put a bit of effort in! 2
Banjo Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 If your already a Sims schools and ex grant maintained then it will only cost £200 to move to an academy. I've seen a quote for a Sims primary school (non grant maintained) to move to academy status, makes your eyes water!
localzuk Posted February 18, 2011 Author Posted February 18, 2011 If your already a Sims schools and ex grant maintained then it will only cost £200 to move to an academy. I've seen a quote for a Sims primary school (non grant maintained) to move to academy status, makes your eyes water! The price we've been quoted does make the eyes water, yes. £18k for initial fees, and £5k a year (rough figures). Makes me sad!
michael2k6 Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 Sorry to hear we've not met your expectations. I endeavour to encourage its correction as soon as possible. Mic @ Serco
vikpaw Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 There's a joke in there somewhere, drawing parallels between the sales and the support service levels, but it's too early in the morning. Good to hear scholarpack is coming trumps so far. Be interested to hear your views once you do manage to speak to them all. We need a reliable 'compare and contrast' between the MISes.
localzuk Posted February 19, 2011 Author Posted February 19, 2011 I've now got pricing from 2 of the 4, well, written pricing anyway. I've been given over the phone pricing by the other 2. Once I have pricing for all 4, and we have a decision from our Governors, we'll no doubt get them all in for demonstrations and spiel. I'll report my findings when I have some.
michael2k6 Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 Hi, As you say, i've since posting found out we called you back on Friday, if i can be of any further help please give me a shout (as long as i'm not breaking any edugeek rules). Mic
localzuk Posted February 19, 2011 Author Posted February 19, 2011 Hi, As you say, i've since posting found out we called you back on Friday, if i can be of any further help please give me a shout (as long as i'm not breaking any edugeek rules). Mic Indeed, I did get a call back. However, the promise of information being emailed to me didn't happen before my deadline of 4pm on Friday.
michael2k6 Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 Thanks for letting me know and sorry for the delay. I will see if there's anything i can do on Monday. Mic 1
localzuk Posted February 22, 2011 Author Posted February 22, 2011 Well, it is now Tuesday, and I still have no information from Serco. The person I was dealing with is out of the office also.
jamesb Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 I should sell these people a wonderful little device I've invented. I call it the long-range wireless telephone. It's particularly clever, because it's mobile and means that you can make a quick call to someone even if only to let them know that you're aware of an issue while you're not in the office.
localzuk Posted February 22, 2011 Author Posted February 22, 2011 I should sell these people a wonderful little device I've invented. I call it the long-range wireless telephone. It's particularly clever, because it's mobile and means that you can make a quick call to someone even if only to let them know that you're aware of an issue while you're not in the office. You know, you may be onto something there! But I don't think that name would catch on, how about the 'longrangeophon'?
The_Windy_Miller Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Presumably they are not interested in providing your MIS if they don't get back to you. We shouldn't have to chase companies!!!
sonofsanta Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 The only one I have praise for is ScholarPack. I got on the spot responses from Garry, and it was just nice speaking to someone easily. He knows his stuff as well, taught me all I know at A-Level (still weird when your old IT teacher is on the same forum as you)
michael2k6 Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 I have passed on your concerns. Mic @ Serco
GREED Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 You'd think if it potential new business, especially if you move from one provider to another, they'd fall over themselves to speak to you!
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