There are alternatives.
Software as a Service is one of them. A centrally hosted, web-delivered MIS which means that any upgrades, updates and back-ups are done at the centre rather than on each client machine.
IntegrisG2 from RM School Management Solutions works this way although at the moment it is a Primary School MIS system.
http://www.schoolmanagementsolutions.co.uk/products/integris_g2/schools.htm