matt40k

Maybe dropping the indexes and foreign keys as well but they will have a hard time claiming the tables SQL is IP. Ultimately they have a responsibility to provide the data in a useable format, dumping out the tables into CSV for example so it's gonna back fire in them being awkward. It is weird SIMS are forcing the API as that's really exposing more IP to third parties, not that any company would want it at this point, it's so old. Equally not sure why they wouldn't want to give them a backup to the school, the licenses have always been perpetual so they have a license for it, but you wouldn't want to provide them free hosting for it. The bit they COULD argue is IP, would be the stuff they predefined, so like default codes etc. Maybe change all the data types on the columns to nvarchar(max) if they are feel particularly evil

2/ Yes - that "code" will be functions, views and stored procedures, which they can easily just drop from the database THEN give the database with just the tables / data. 4) Bromcom are talking about the reporting engine, which has always historically missed bits. The API SIMS are talking about is basically their app, so it will have everything. SIMS describing it as "easy" would be funny.

Yo! 1/ how is SIMS still a thing? Like seriously, would have put money on even SIMS being in the cloud by now. 2/ yer, why can't SIMS do a patch that removes their "over 1.5 million lines of ESS program code and other valuable ESS IP”, prob half a day of effort, then yer, why wouldn’t they want to just throw over a db, lot less hassle for everyone. 3/ £1k - sounds like your reward is stuck in the DOS days 4/ They are saying to use the SIMS Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), so why wouldn’t you use that, surely you’ve already done this as a long term partner?

The IT manager will be based at Sidegate and manage a team of technical staff across the trust schools in Ipswich.The successful applicant will be an enthusiastic, well organised and driven person who has a passion for IT. They will also ensure the smooth running of our network and systems.Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Support and train staff in their use of ICT systems. Ensure incidents are managed and resolved. Manage performance and professional development of a technical team, including ensuring any apprenticeship scheme requirements are fulfilled. Manage systems changes in a structured and documented way. Manage a register of ICT Assets for each school. Ensure ICT systems can securely support teaching, learning and the administration of the school. To compile reports and present information to senior leaders, governors and Trust staff. To be responsible for the management of all ICT systems within the schools. Ensure all ICT schools systems are fully documented. Manage and maintain the backup of the schools electronic data. Ensure the schools are compliant with the ICT licence requirements. Ensure the schools ICT systems are protected from security vulnerabilities and processes are in place that adhere to the ICT policy. Manage the reliability, performance and availability of the schools ICT infrastructure. Manage and maintain the schools’ communications systems. Work closely with the Trust’s ICT Team and Finance Director to ensure that the requirements for centralised systems are met. Be proactive in working with the Trust to develop a strategic approach and direction for ICT infrastructure and shared systems. Work with 3rd party suppliers in the resolution of ICT faults or the installation of new ICT systems. Develop hardware and software solutions to meet the needs of the schools, which do not compromise the ICT systems. Be responsible for a regular maintenance programme and ensure the resolution of failures in hardware and software. Ensure appropriate “housekeeping” tasks are implemented Undertake research, development and testing of new products and services to ensure their suitability for the schools. Ensure linked software is current with Sims data, Evolve, Libresoft, Parentmail, etc. Repair and recondition equipment on site where possible. Ensure accurate and timely end of year roll over of pupils and staff on all systems and software. To keep abreast of advances and developments in technology that could improve security, safeguarding, curriculum and administration. Ensure that all ICT systems and practices comply with the Trust’s Health & Safety Policies More info: https://www.mynewterm.com/school/Sidegate-Primary-School/140822/EDV-2021-SPS-55677/IT-Operations-Manager

Yer @synaesthesia I think SalamanderSoft is the way to go. Its miles better, this was always the poor mans option \ doing something truly ad-hoc.

Still surprised this is still going tbh, I remember renewing the domain for 10 years before the price increase and thinking that was optimistic at best. Sounds like it might be around longer than Capita Is there much demand for this getting updated? I'd thought everyone would be migrating away SIMS7 by now.

Oh nice, can they do staff as well and contacts? Only took 8 years.

Yup

Yup, I wrote it a number of years ago. I’ve since moved on and haven’t touched SIMS for years and years. I did look at handing it over to SalamanderSoft at the time as they have a more premium fully automated solution so it was a nice freeium option but Capita didn’t like that. Supposedly Capita are putting bulk email/telephone support into SIMS, no idea when, it should be before SIMS 8 Terms of “is it safe?” - it loads the SIMS libraries on your machine, so it’s using the same logic as if you use the SIMS application and do it manually. So it will work till Capita make a breaking change and it will just not work. The only other comment is, is the same as any bulk import routine. If you load noreply@school for everyone- it will do just that. You can’t escape that. In terms of rollback, you cannot remove, that’s all manual. So if you bulk import 1,000 by mistake, you’ll never do it again after manually removing them, 1 by 1.

Glad they are finally integrating it into SIMS - it’s only taken them over 7 years. Tis a shame they didn’t allow SalamanderSoft to take it over. Think it would have made a lot of their paying customers happy. Oh well. Be interested to hear how people find it - I would expect them to have a fairly polished version they are going to demo tomorrow. Hopefully it’s worth the wait and money!

There I thought that. It's a premium only features. It's a bit messy, but the idea is like SQL Server licensing - you either pay for hardware or per user. Premium had a weird thing with apps or workspace needing a Pro license still and they've not fixed it so people can view reports and interact with them - still need a Pro license to edit. Pro \ free uses shared environments, Premium is using a dedicated environment. Power BI embedded is basically Premium but you pay per hour and is designed for people like Capita \ Bromcom basically selling PowerBI reports.

So its the path to your MIS - aka SIMS. Its set in the database, so it has to be the same for all machines that use FMS. Reinstall SIMS on the server so it machines the other FMS clients. Be worth checking any other third party software you might have to make sure it still works. Worth getting your SIMS support team involved as they might spot something not correct - like after reinstall SIMS it didn't update sims.ini or something.

Are they all Google Apps - Chromebooks and all - no Windows \ Office etc? Also, have you seen: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Education-Blog/Introducing-Simpler-Sign-on-a-way-to-sign-in-to-Office-365-with/ba-p/708898

No. It's kinda the point people would interact with the interactive reports Like others have said, license costs are peanuts, give them a demo on your machine. If they want it, check if the school has a license agreement, it use to be you could add things mid year then pay at renewal time - and tbh the pro licenses would prob disappear among the other costs.

You can do 4K, 60 FPS, HDR and 5.1 surround sound with 512mb ram. Admittedly that's just streaming but still... if the end result works and its within parameters (ie it works over normal UK broadband and doesn't cost a fortune) who cares. Seriously though, 8K tv you'd need either robot eyes or a HUUUGE room to make it worth while. Still 8 is a bigger number then 4 so yes, of course people will rush out and buy it. - - - Updated - - - I don't thing the premium xbox will be targeting them.