GREED

Got mine last week...

Is that also when the moon is aligned with Uranus?

I just wanted to update this thread with further words: 1. Absolutely we can provide a function for future dates, and have done for a small number of partners that have requested this as part of their extract. Most partners have not asked for this, but changes can be made if they get in touch. 2. Our partners are technically our customers, and so any work carried out is specifically asked for by them. If they do not ask for future dates, we cannot and will not include this. Best advice is to contact the partner and ask/put pressure on them to get the changes you want (which i am sure you do for everything anyway, not just data!). 3. While we try to work with all scenarios, if a school requests for a change to a partner's extract, we have to refuse until the partner themselves authorises it. This is for a multitude of obvious reasons, the main ones being data security and integrity, commercial concerns (someone needs to pay for the work!), how does this affect the partner system and all their customers.... 4. We have NEVER refused to provide data to partners, with the exception that data is simply not available or accessible. Doesn't happen very often, particularly with SIMS, sometimes more so with other MIS's (i.e. when their API doesn't provide the information... not a lot we can do!), but we work as best we can on the requests of the partner. I would ask if a partner is suggesting that they cannot do x because Groupcall have refused to give them the data, to contact us or have the partner contact us immediately to resolve and find out when exactly we have refused. 5. @howartp thank you for sending in the email with details, and I am sure we can move forward to getting the changes applied as described in the reply. Thanks all Graham Product Manager Groupcall

Email received

Thanks for the alert @PhilNeal To all Admittedly I do not get involved in the Xporter side of things much, I am the product manager for the purchasable products for schools, I can find out what is the score here. I would be interested to know more about conversations where we have refused x y and z. If anyone has details of this please email me at [email protected] and I will look into urgently. Fundamentally, Xporter (if anyone doesn't know, this is what the third parties use to get the data from SIMS) is liaised with via the third party themselves, and so if there are requests for different data requirements, this needs to come direct from the TP. If said third parties are saying we have refused to do x y and z, then again I would like to hear more about this so I can close the loop and ensure that these conversations are indeed taking place, and I can ensure that appropriate weight is given to those with evidence that a requirements from schools is indeed there! Without second guessing, it 'could' be that because this is a once a year occurrence that may not have huge weight in requirements discussions, but that does not make your requests any less valid. Please do get in touch with any details you have and in parallel I will speak with the Xporter PM and find out what is going on from that side. Please either PM or email, don't share details publicly just yet and getting lots of people on the defensive with each other before the reasons are known! We all know how this forum gets at times. One other point, @PhilNeal is right Capita do talk with partners on a regular basis including Groupcall, they provides all the info we need and there to help if needed, even after all these years of being a partner. Getting the data out of SIMS has never really been an issue, at least for us.

Should also know that you still need an agent on the MIS to get the data out, and the generic SIF agents out there don't get anywhere near as much data as the commercial offerings available. Unless you are working our of somewhere like Norfolk where SIF is already prevelant and well developed.

Have you researched the tech at all? Have a search for the SIF Association now called Access 4 learning. I'm UK Board Member for number of years now. I'm not sure you want to be investing in ZISs it is old tech these days.

Have you got a ZIS already setup in your implementation or LA or group somewhere that you want to pull the data from?

What is it you are trying to achieve?

Really? It shouldn't be.. Should be few clicks enter MIS credentials done.

ICO website has some information on this, as well as others. I used to use this but a rebrand seems to have made it less useful! Schools Records UK - IRMS Wiki Each data area, and even data item, has a defined data retention requirement, but is also dependent on the circumstances of the individual. For example, if a student is in care/involved with social services, then their records should be kept +25 years, if they are SEN, I believe it is 25 years after they leave school (don't quote me on the figures). It is a very grey area because every child and data area is different.

I would suggest we look below the headlines (for SDS) to what this is actually offering before we get too excited about the potential end of life of integration partners... Also Vik, what is your reasoning behind suggesting it is easier for a supplier to integrate with upwards of 10 MISs compared to 1 generic interface? Or are you talking about integrating with SDS/ MS Classroom? In which case yes direct is perfect (but again look below the headlines to what you actually get before getting carried away!)

Have you contacted our helpdesk for help with this?

I second Richard's point on not using just yet due to data concerns... Groupcall have also been working closely on their SDS offering as a new Global partner with Microsoft. Really interesting from them.

This was discussed here recently (sorry cannot find the thread on mobile!), SIMS currently does not have granular usage logging, but there seems to be growing demand for it.

You mean, except for Emerge, which was mentioned in the OP

Long story there. Basically they decided to concentrate on other markets. There was still a lot they had to do to get it UK ready too, but it was getting there. Strategic decision more than anything, bigger opportunities in the US and Canada. In case wasn't clear, I worked for them during their stint here

ALL data? Gather you are moving MIS, or otherwise ditching one, can be the only reason for a blanket 'ALL data' request.

I am the Product Manager for Groupcall. I will not get involved, but I'm happy to answer any questions you might have along the way. More than happy to have our customers tell you about Messenger. Regards Graham

Related to communications outside of this forum I will no longer be involved in this conversation.

This sounds oddly familiar to a post a couple of weeks back looking for a free download of sims. Notice that poster is new, and also says location is USA... if true odd looking for a UK specific MIS... if not then why hiding?

There are a few college-specific MIS out there, Capita have one, Tribal another at the very least. I'd suggest that most school MIS's are specific for schools and the rigidity of them is deliberate for that purpose.

It's for the benefit of Prince Philip

When All Staff is used and it is not really for all staff, or a general waste of time, just reply with cc to SLT saying 'are you sure this was relevant to all staff?'

Clearly not