AndyCope

The full details are published by JCQ http://www.jcq.org.uk/attachments/published/1236/JCQ%20Formats%20%2D%20Version%2013%20Final%201.2%20%28March%202010%29.pdf This doucment should answer any queries Please note this is for version 13 of the basedata spec which came into operation at the beginning of September - You may therefore need to check that any 'old' files you are playing with are V13 spec...

The timetable in CMIS is usually created using Scheduler which is an event based scheduling tool. Once you have had the training the process if fairly strightforwards - it is a different approach to Nova T tho.

I think you will find that eportal already does this....

All, I have been working with Serco Learning to organise 'The Way Forward' meetings. They are 'strategic' events aimed directly at Senior Leadership in schools. As a result we feel it would generally be a different audience to that for the Network Managers/IT Technician meetings. Additional dates for the 'Developing the use of eportal' sessions will also be advertised in the near future. Further details on the Serco events can be found via http://www.services.bgfl.org/page_147.cfm?s=54&m=3553&p=2737,view_info&id=622 Regards Andy Cope Link2ICT (Birmingham Schools Support)

Currently most behaviour recording in CMIS is done using the Events area, whilst not as powerful as some other systems it can be used to produce a good alternative. From Serco's recent meetings came the news that they are due to be showing more on behaviour as BETT - so may be worth a visit or giving them a ring directly for the latest news.

You dont want to be putting the word 'christmas' on a computer screen as this is surely blasphemous and could result in you getting 40 lashes!

Why do you want to export this data? Surely a printed report directly from CMIS is whats required, and shouldnt be difficult to set-up from the comments made above.

Hi, Managed to get past the initial problem with a complete re-install (and download) of the joomla install package... Now however Im getting loads of errors such as: Notice: Undefined variable: mosConfig_jf_content in /home/fhlinux163/t/teddys-garden.co.uk/user/htdocs/modules/exmenu/loader/menu.menuloader.class.php on line 91 I no nothing about PHP so a clue would be of great benefit... Regards

Serco Learning are the company The suite of software (CMIS/ePortal) is Facility CMIS is the MIS system

Thanks, will do - just downloaded another copy of install files so here goes..

Thanks SYSMAN... I guessed that may be the issue and have ftp'd the whole joomla install folder over a few times now... may need a new copy I guess..

Hi, Ive installed joomla (several times now...) and keep getting the following errors when I go into the admin page for the first time.. after that nothing works ok - any help appreciated Warning: require_once(includes/joomla.php) [function.require-once]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/fhlinux163/t/teddys-garden.co.uk/user/htdocs/index.php on line 33 Fatal error: require_once() [function.require]: Failed opening required 'includes/joomla.php' (include_path='.:/usr/share/pear') in /home/fhlinux163/t/teddys-garden.co.uk/user/htdocs/index.php on line 33

Its pretty fair to say that all MIS systems are suffering from similar problems.. the DCSF have requested some fairly significant additions and changes to census returns in relation to Post 16 qualifications and workforce returns.

Indeed all systems have their fair share of issues. Having swapped from Capita SIMS to Facility CMIS when I worked in a school the learning curve was quite steep - however then again we only changed systems because 'at that time' SIMS was unable to offer the functunality that was available from CMIS. That was 7years ago and SIMS has changed significantly. However I get the impression that a similar level of learning has been required by those schools moving from the old SIMS to SIMS.NET.. so as stated above you need to make your choice based on the schools specific requirements and not just the technical ones - here the decision needs to be a joint one made by all the stakeholders not just those of the technician/NW manager. Once that decision is made you will no-doubt at times move forwards quickly and at others struggle to get the results you expect - but thats software... As for hosted systems such as E1 - this is no-doubt the way forwards for MIS systems, it simplifies so much and makes support (costs) far less... however then again there is the issue of 'customisation' to meet school requirements - back to the beginning again...

Serco Facility will use your sql server without a problem and has its own web-based front end for teaching staff. Just remember that who ever does a demo will be a 'sales type' person and not one who can answer technical questions... ALL systems have bugs in them.. Just see postings here re untested patches etc for almost any MIS you could name....

Indeed support is one issue that needs to be looked at with a great degree of thought, however many schools dont get their support from their local LA and many are more than happy with support from further afield. I dont quite understand the relevance of not choosing a MIS because it was demonstrated on MS Access - Serco's Facility is designed to operate on various DB's including SQL and Oracle - most schools operate it on SQL, however most demo's running on a laptop for example would generally be run on Access.. The structure of the software shouldnt really be the deciding issue - schools should clearly choose their MIS system based on many factors, including (mainly) can it do what you need it to. For example many schools now operate complex assessment systems, not all MIS systems have the ability to be customised to meet the requirements of some schools, whilst other schools dont wish to have the overhead in terms of support/training required to make such a custom instillation. The best solution is obviously to ask all the possible suppliers a set of specific questions designed around what you need to get out of your MIS system - but of course also ask about support etc, and talk to other schools who are users.

Yes, SIF may indeed help with extracting the data you require - but only if it is built into the SIF assessment specifications. Currently work on specifing the assessment model for SIF is on-going, however unless schools all use the same assessment models I dont see how all but statutory and external data can be transferred between ALL schools...

Indeed - CMIS is a customisable system - thats why schools buy it over other systems available ! The statutory and external data is in a standard format and easily available to export. Schools can set-up internal assessments in any format to meet their own requirements. You will need to be far more specific about the data you are trying to get at to get a more detailed answer Im afraid.

Indeed, the post doesnt make sense at all. One of the plus points in CMIS is that schools can set-up any sort of internal assessment system which may be required, perhaps to a SIMS user the data could look confusing if you dont know where to find the right data. All external and statutory examinations data is held as required and can be imported and exported using different methods. Could this just be an excuse to advertise a product?

When I was in a school we used PDA's to take registers (using eportal but requires and additional licence) in PE - worked great in the middle of the football field, and across the road at the leisure centre!

http://www.screwfix.com

A-Level / AS-Level - Schools download 15th Aug - released 16th GCSE Level - Schools download 22nd Aug - released 23rd

There are a number of CMIS support people who look at this forum on a regular basis - so ask away for any support you need..... Serco will give you a log-in for http://maxportal.serco.com/sercolearning/ which is the latest support website.

So why is it that all of the top class programmes made by the BBC are always made in co-operation with commercial broadcasters such as The Discovery Channel etc etc - look at the credits! The BBC does go after commercial goals - ie viewers, if not we wouldnt have such rubbish as Dancing on Ice etc etc - commercial programme formats 'stolen' to try and get the viewing figures up to justify the licence fee... This argument simply doesnt stack up.

Erm... sounds like good planning... It isnt possible to report on attendance across datasets at present. Without using some fairly complex SQL scripts to 'attempt' to merge data I dont see how this can be done. Perhaps Serco would be able to merge the data for you?