CambsICT

Two issues I've come across with biometrics: 1. Queues at the readers 2. Parents objecting to the use of biometric data.

As I understand UPN, their intended use was for data matching, so exporting them for that purpose is legitimate. However they are a "blind identifier" so are not to be used in printed reports. Just found the DfE guidance on this: The UPN must be a ‘blind number’ not an automatic adjunct to a pupil’s name. It must be held electronically and only output when required to provide information to the LA, central government or another school/academy to which the pupil is transferring. Under the Data Protection Act 1998, the UPN is designated as a ‘general identifier’ making its use for any purpose unrelated to education illegal. A pupil’s admission number, rather than the UPN, should be used as the general pupil reference number on the admission register or paper files. Full guidance is here. General advice is to use admission numbers to avoid illegal use of UPN.

I know of large secondary schools using this functionality, though I don't believe any of them have 120 staff placing orders; and the functionality you have to teach is very limited - restricted users get restricted menus and icons as well. The reverse-engineered XML approach sounds error-prone and I'd not like to risk weird data going into the accounting system.

FMS has all the facilities you need. It's called restricted access and users with restricted access can only use certain budget codes and have a limit on how much they can put through on an order. Approval still follows the usual route (i.e. a restricted user can only place an order, they can't authorise it). Use the FMS manuals - search for Manage Users. I should add there are now options to eliminate nearly all paper from the finance office, particularly if you use BACS.