[sims] SIMS.net & CASPA

[JMB]

I hope someone can help. We use SIMs.net and Caspa. Caspa exports a report definitions file, which you load into SIMS, and that lets you generate a report. The report definitions collates various data about the children (DOB, Special needs, etc.). Roughly 20 categories. However, when I run the report, it only actually picks up 3 (surname, ethnicity code and a count of some kind). It does this EVERY time. I've even redesigned the report and manually told it to look for the definitions Caspa produces, but it NEVER does. It's really doing my nut. It's done it before and after endless calls explaining CASPA (and sometimes SIMS) to ScoMIS, they did the report for me. But I hate being reliant on them and want to get this sorted. I can't believe I'm the only person having this issue. Can anyone help?!

[Banjo]

Yes its a pain, but then Capsa is buggy, don't get me started on how it converts (randomises) data from B-Squared into the assessment tables.

 

We use CTF's to import the data into Caspa - much easier.

[JMB]

Glad it's not just me, Banjo. So...what's your method for getting data out of SIMS and into Caspa?

[matt40k]

when I run the report, it only actually picks up 3 (surname, ethnicity code and a count of some kind). It does this EVERY time. I've even redesigned the report and manually told it to look for the definitions Caspa produces, but it NEVER does

 

Sounds either a permissions problem, or the report they've given you is majorly out of date. I'm guessing the latter. Don't suppose you could post the SIMS report definition? (IE export the report, not the report with the data).

[JMB]

Well, the definitions file for Caspa is brand new - I literally only updated it this afternoon. I do wonder about permissions. I suppose I could swallow my pride (and my deadline) and get ScoMIS to do it for me.

[Banjo]

Glad it's not just me, Banjo. So...what's your method for getting data out of SIMS and into Caspa?

 

Just produce a CTF file from Sims (routines | data out | CTF) for all your pupils and import into Caspa.

 

From what I remember when you install Caspa it asks you whether you are a Sims school or not and if you say 'no' it changes the options to allow you to import CTF files.

[speckytecky]

Found the generated file on our system on the C: drive of the SIMS server. Hope this helps.

[vikpaw]

A lot of third parties rely on the Third Party Reporting permissions group, should make sure you are in that group, or whoever is running the imported report, is, to rule out permissions.

[JMB]

Okay, so the saga continues. I've installed Caspa from scratch, upgraded it to Build 1.2.1.0 and re-exported the definitions file. I've loaded these into Sims.net and run the report. And, as before, I get Surname, Ethnicity and Count. I've tried to design a new report and load in the Data Fields from the Caspa file, but again, when I preview it I just get those 3 headings. I should be getting all these: [student] Surname, Forename, DOB, Gender, Admission number (Adno), Admission date (DOA), Leaving date, UPN, Former UPN, Reg group (Reg), Eligible for free meals, Year taught in Code, In LEA Care, First Language code (Mother tongue code), Ethnicity Code, SEN Status, Special Needs, Ranking and Need type code. I've logged a call with ScoMIS, as last time (when I posted in November) they basically told me they couldn't help. Which seems odd, as before the summer that DID this report for me and just rang me to tell me where to find the output file. So I can't rely on them, obviously. Further to previous advice on here, I've had myself added to the Third Party Reporting permissions group, but that hasn't helped. I'm at a loss. SGA who make Caspa tell me it's down to Sims and ScoMIS, and ScoMIS won't help. So - anyone got any ideas to save what little hair I'll have left by lunchtime?

 

EDIT: Put myself in the School Administrator permissions group, that's done the trick! Only suddenly occurred to me to try running a few other reports, and they all drop data because I don't have permission to view it. Problem solved. Will leave this here in case it helps others in a similar boat in the future! :-)

Edited January 9, 2012 by JMB