david_1152

Just to add... We are using Windows 22H2 and have recently upgraded to 22H2.38 We are using MS Entra connect Sync with Pass-though Authentication. We refresh our Azure SSO token every 30 days as recommended by Microsoft. We use GPO to manage SSO with 365: Computer Config/Admin Templates/OneDriveSilently sign in users to the OneDrive sync app with their windows credentials. User config/Admin Templates/Microsoft Edge/HTTP authentication/configure list of allowed authentication servers - autologon.microsoftazuread-sso.com - https://autologon.microsoftazuread-sso.com We have also tried the reg fix: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Cryptography\Calais\DisableCapiOverrideForRSA = 0 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\ZoneMap\Domains\microsoftazuread-sso.com\autologon\https = 1 Anyone in the same boat, with the same issues? Or is it just us.. Thanks

If you are - are you experiencing issues with SSO breaking intermittently? Reboot the machine a few times and like magic it can start working again? I guess I'm asking if it's just us? We've spent month fire fighting this issue but in truth are nowhere closer to knowing exactly what is causing it. Is it the microsoft 'Hardening'? If so, why isn't everyone left using windows 10 and sso in education experiencing the same thing? Are we missing something? Any suggestions - very welcome. Yes we should move to windows 11 but lots of our hardware will need replacing.. D

Just a question about what everyone uses for a parent app? Third party? Built into a MIS? Via a learning platform? I guess there's of ways of doing it, if you use a good one could you let me know? Currently use SIMS, but not sure for how much longer.. Do I really want to use Sims parent app? If it's anything like the teacher app - Hell no - we don't use ipads.. Anyway, my site is secondary.. Thanks.

I dont want to mention energy bills, but... We're looking to turn off pretty well every computer over night, say after six pm. Something we haven't done before as there was the question of wear and tear on the systems. What's everyones views on that, am I behind the times and everyone already does, or is it really not worth it? Thanks D

How did you get on Ollie - for me, way to expensive... But that again my Head wants to roll out tablets to all students.

Do you guys read this and think - they wont be using crisp for very long... Or is it just me?

Regarding CRISP access.. Having had an email from my account manager at Link2ICT - I thought I might share it will everyone. "If schools wish to have the CRISP use, they currently pay for it separately which will show on all sub statements. ( £999 one off set up charge plus £999 to access CRISP = £1998 with £999 ongoing annually thereafter). This is pending BCC decision wrt future of CRISP for 2020/21. The CRISP costs above are pending BCC decision to share their future plans for CRISP access to schools, they may provide it for free for all schools as we have suggested to them as we get beaten up over the current costs even though they are set by BCC, or they may agree for Link2ICT to continue to manage access via BCC's alternative secure connection method (F5/UAG) as they did last year. The CRISP system is not an externally internet facing or secure system and would require significant BCC investment to make it accessible safely to schools. As soon as BCC make a decision it will be there responsibility to inform schools at the moment they have acknowledged our stance and added it to their "risk register" as soon as w e hear anything further we will inform schools but this will have to come from BCC in the first instance so i would suggest all schools to lobby their SENAR BCC contacts to find out what is the future of CRISP access for schools as once the BGfL is turned off CRISP access will also cease." Interesting eh?

From our account manager at Link2

Interesting.. Sounds like a Birmingham thing.

Yes, via virgin as I understand it. The quotation I've received is for a lot more than we paid before, but then again it for a faster system. D

So the Birmingham Grid for Learning is being closed down. Question is, which way should Birminghams school jump for a new provider? - Go alone and sort it yourself, - Link2ICT are offering a replacement service - via Virgin - go with an existing and experienced provider - LGFL, via Trustnet I'm not totally sure about going alone, so of the two providers, LGFL offer a cheaper solution with lots of extras included.. But I have no experience of them - can anyone shed some light? Anyone out there already moved to them? Thanks!

Probably - it's what Birmingham push out to schools, I understand we're due for a new version. Neverware look promising, working with O365, it's just the monitoring that bothers me.

I'm thinking of converting all the old windows 7 PC that wont go to windows 10 to Neverware. Do any one have any experience in monitoring usage? We use future cloud (PCE) for our PC's - is there any thing which will work on chrome? Thanks.

Just out of interest, did this happen? Has anyone deployed SIMS via app-V? Thanks!

Does anyone who's already jumped through the hoops from Virtru want to share their pricing policy? Ball park PA would be find for me, I'd just like to know if it's a total none starter. Thanks! Oh and happy Friday.

look for the guys in Orange on the Capita stand. I'm sure they'll blame you for their poor software. Oh well.

I spoke to MLS at BETT yesterday and frankly came away offended. The guy said 'well nobody else has your problems with MLS Sir' - meaning it must be me - right? 'We've got 60% of the market share, if we had issues like you have described we wouldn't now would we?' - again it's all my fault. I said, if it's all me - have you read some of the reports on Edugeek at all? Their response - 'Well Sir, only curtain type of people use Edugeek' - meaning what exactly?! I pointed out that he was right, the people who use Edugeek are the people who have to try and keep his failing piece of software going. Clearly I wasn't the right person to be talking to them in front of new potential customers, but to be fair, I didn't know I was. They were on the Capita stand and didn't have any identification of who they were. I got led over to see something new and found myself looking at MLS.. After basically saying everything was my fault I was rushed over to their head technical guy. He promised he'd be intouch, said he was unaware of any issues, but said if things did not work right it was because they were in the middle of moving over to a Microsoft platform. I didn't go looking to confront them, one of my remits was to see other Library systems. Oh Oliver had took a year off.. I expect they will be in touch, but frankly we've had enough. We're looking to move and considering options. Hoping to get AccessIT in for a demo once BETT is over. If anyone in Birmingham wants to see that, drop me a PM and we could watch it together. Dave

Contract still runs for another two years yet... Then? Well who knows. Down to the boss as always. D

Well, there's our group in Birmingham. Hmm, so BSF was scrapped in 2010. It ran for 10 years for ICT (or did in our group). It's pretty impossible to get out of, so lots coming to an end over the next few years. Lots of companies still offer versions of it, RM springs to mind. Lots of schools feel it's the only real way to provide fast and reliable IT support - their words not mine! D

Well being totally unsure where we stand I contacted the ICO directly. Head up here everyone - the ico's help line number is 0303 1231113. So, basically I went to the top for this, not a company with an axe to grind or services to sell. After a 45 minute wait on hold I managed to talk to them, explain the situation and get answers. I would recommend this help line to anyone, yes there's a wait - but it's worth it. SO here's the news for BSF schools - or certainly BSF schools in out situation. Our network was designed by our BSF providers, the way it functions, where the data sits, on which drives, how it's backed up, where those backup sit, the AD, the actual network forest, all of the administrators all work for our BSF partner. Because of this, they are data controllers and so are liable to fines. But - and here's where some confusion can occur, they are also data processors for us, where they manipulate data as we ask. We will need a contract to ensure we know how this data is handled. That's what the ICO have informed me, but I'd recommend unless your situation is exactly the same as ours, ring the ICO and have the conversation. David

Doh! my fault.. I'm sure I was looking at posts from today. Ah well. Sorry everyone.

I put the whole thing on my website with a filter on candidate number. Each student knows their number, type pop it into the search and hay presto - one exam time table unique to them. No names of students are obviously mentioned... If you'd like to see it working, I could mock up a page and send you the link using last years data. PM me if you want that.. Dave

So does anyone know anything about GDPR with managed BSF service? A company runs our network, supplies the technicians, provides all hardware, software and backups. I'm not naming names here, but I keep asking them (our managed service provider) for information on GDPR and have yet to receive anything. So, as this company runs our systems would they be financially responsible for any breaches? They after all run everything for us - take the backup, only they have access to it or even know what their procedures are. If we receive a delete request, I will have to depend on staff not working for the school to perform this duty and then will only have their word that it's been completed. They have supplied all of the main systems into the school, such as library, door entry, school dinners and VLE - all from different companies yet all suppled by them to us. Do we still have to check out all the suppliers even though we are not their customers? Any help ladies and gents would be fantastic.. Oh and see you all at BETT. Dave

You know for my sins I bought my old Dad a Google Home Mini for Christmas this year. As his eyes are failing he can ask it questions, oddly he seems to stick to asking it if it's going to rain. BUT, finally getting back to Blakes 7 - wouldn't it be fantastic if it sounded like Orac? Zen or Slave would be fine - but Orac would be truly a piece of work. Seriously, I'd put on on my desk in a flash.

Funny... Orac: Richard Ayoade Just epic. Thanks so much for that picture in my head.