Bromcom Teacher web Folder vs SIMS Emerge

[speckytecky]

Looking for pointers on the way to go with class registration and behaviour recording via portable devices. we have SIMS in place and their Emerge seems to do offer most of what we need but Bromcom's TWF seems to do a bit more? Edited March 22, 2012 by speckytecky
SPELT Bromcom WRONG!

[vikpaw]

It's Bromcom you mean. I've changed the title.

 

Yep, you're right, i think TWF lets you do assessment and behaviour which are coming to Emerge, not sure on schedule.

It's been around longer so you'd think it's more established with less creases.

 

Having said that, we quite like the Emerge app here, and it's had some recent improvements regarding remote wipe.

 

If you've seen both it will come down to price and how much you like the interface.

If you must have behaviour, and have it soon, then TWF FTW

Edited March 22, 2012 by vikpaw

[Achandler]

We have Webfolder and it is good. Remember webfolder you need a network/ internet conenction for it to work whereas Emerge does offline and sync to. Wehther this is relevant to you or not I don't know.

[winng]

We are currently trialling Groupcall Emerge on a couple of iPods which are being favourably received by our PE department. However, they would get real benefit by using the App on a smartphone (iPhone or Android) so it can be used out on the playing fields and offsite at sports fixtures.

 

I have seen Broadcom's offering too and see this could be a great replacement for the SLG as well as being viewable on any device with a browser. You pay extra for the App versions.

 

I am undecided whether to recommend Emerge in the short term until we decide upon the Broadcom solution.

[Bromcom_John]

BROMCOM, it's BROMCOM.. Who are these Broadcom imposters

Anyway, if anyone needs any additional info then just let me know.

 

As I have said elsewhere, multiple times, WebFolder will basically run on pretty much anything that has a browser. So it will need a network connection for live updates etc. but in this modern age of ubiquitous WiFi how often do you honestly find yourself without a signal "and" still confronted with students to supervise.

Edited March 22, 2012 by vikpaw

[vikpaw]

Hang on, i thought Broadcom ( ) worked offline. It defo stores the data right so it can be used for Firedrill, otherwise how else do you do it?

 

I'm almost certain that you could take a register and then sync it back up after, or was that only if you have a program version of it installed. I'm confused.

@JohnCondon - can you confirm the existence of an app, and whether you can do more than attendance on it? (without a big sales pitch )

[speckytecky]

Cripes - sorry about the Typo folks - dyslexia!

 

One question on this that runs through my mind is what about security - is it HTTPS access?

 

BROMCOM, it's BROMCOM.. Who are these Broadcom imposters

Anyway, if anyone needs any additional info or wants to arrange a demo then just drop me a PM off list and I can arrange it (or at least point you towards someone else who can )

 

As I have said elsewhere, multiple times, WebFolder will basically run on pretty much anything that has a browser. So it will need a network connection for live updates etc. but in this modern age of ubiquitous WiFi how often do you honestly find yourself without a signal "and" still confronted with students to supervise.

[Achandler]

Yes our is. Its a website, so you can just use a normal SSL cert to secure it.

 

Bromcom stores the data directly into the SIMS database, you cannot access the SIMS data if you are offline. Therefore paper fire drill registers would be needed like with SIMS now.

[Bromcom_John]

The different implementations did certain things slightly differently.

The SD product is restricted in some minor ways due to its need to interface with SIMS.

 

HTTPS query answered by Achandler.

[vikpaw]

We got Emerge, basically for PE department to use, as it can be done offline. SLT really like it now, but it's quite dear per user. They currently have an offer on, so make your mind up before the end of the month!

[Bromcom_John]

Apparently our development team have just informed me that there is another option with the "Hosted gateway" service (I thought this didn't work with SD, apparently it does).

This sits in between your webfolder login prompt and the SIMS database and is hosted internally by us.

This can be told to store information for one nominated register for a user(essentially your fire drill group), so you would still need to be online to use it but it wouldn't rely on your server being online for taking the fire drill.

[Sivadam]

Looking for pointers on the way to go with class registration and behaviour recording via portable devices. we have SIMS in place and their Emerge seems to do offer most of what we need but Bromcom's TWF seems to do a bit more?

You may wish to also consult the other thread re. this: Capita SIMS

Edited March 22, 2012 by Sivadam