matt40k

I'd switch to ScholarPack, you can switch back to Capita next decade when SIMS8 is matured.

Might want to rethink your example @Banjo. If you give a "bad" reference for a job, you could end up in court - https://www.gov.uk/work-reference.

I know your talking about kinda data dump reports that really should be built in, but do you use the Progresso Analytics (white-labelled Pyramid Analytics) as discussed here: https://eduwarenetwork.com/2015/03/10/advanced_learning_progresso_user_group/?

The "problem" is you have to base your decision on facts, you can't go into the process prejudging. I can't imagine a single professional willing to bet their career on someone on a person on public forum saying "From my experience the 'people' would put me off doing business with them." as a reason to rule out a supplier. It would be like a headteacher saying the only reason they pick a solution was because the sales person was pretty.

@bobsmith Might be worth exporting and uploading ...

If you can find it, buy this book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Most-SIMS-net-Timetabling-Effectiveness/dp/1905538278/. It's not about button pressing but the process. Very good read.

Hosted how? Few places host the database then your just install the client and connect to the database. No idea how'd this would work with SOLUS3.

I think we'll return to this topic in another 5 years and look at the process. Going off topic, if I was going to try and fix the world, I'd think I'd fix the exams system. AQA etc cost waaaaay too much money. But I digress...

Don't know, I liked the irony aspect of it

When it comes to waiting for releases... don't hold your breath. Vapourware takes a while to become something-ware.

Look up WIX - wixtoolset.org. Might be worth asking @localzuk how he's expect it bundled.

Your options are: A) Just pay, stick with them B) Just keep license, buy support from another company C) Because you didn't go for A) they are being a pain and you need to rebuy a license so you can do B) - you'll basically throwing a pile of money at Capita D) Move away from SIMS to a different MIS. North Yorks has done something around this lately - MIS & FAS Framework B) and C) would just a question of building a Windows Server, installing SQL and SIMS then attaching your data. D) is more work but could be better.

Picky much? Web based solution could mean onprem. Cloud if defo fully managed by third party. IE no capital costs (for hardware anyway).

Just ignore that large yr 1 cost...

I've found alot of outsourced workers to be very prescriptive. They deliver exactly what you ask for, the problem is we're (ie the folks outsourcing the work) are rubbish at being prescriptive! We assume too much and rely on "common sense" - like we assume they understand our objective (cause we've told them that) and they can actually sympathize with the end-users and understand how they'd use the system. Alas, when you're outsourcing, its all about turnover, so corners are cut and that results in a poor system. Look at Nova-T, written by a timetabler to do timetabling. Fully understood the problem, created an excellent product. Pff... that's pretty good for public sector software! Easy to fix with some report views over the top and a few functions.

The "cloud" revolution is about turning servers into cattle not pets. If hardware fails, you move hardware. Not in months, weeks, days but in seconds. Same is true about services and software. Look what UK gov did when Dyn went down, they moved away to another DNS provider. It's about ending these stupidly long legacy contracts and lock-ins. Yes its a buzzword, but so is WiFi and that was a pretty massive change.

Very true, but if we take proper managed solution from say Rackspace, you're talking outage, not data loss. Still if you want to make it cost effective you have share the infrastructure (aka public cloud).

Very true, but if we take proper managed solution from say Rackspace, you're talking outage, not data loss. Still if you want to make it cost effective you have share the infrastructure (aka public cloud).

I've seen so many schools onprem fail its scary. School don't have the money to recruit and retain good IT staff. Don't get me wrong, there are exceptions! But I don't miss the days of sitting in a school asking basic questions and getting worrying answer (like when you last did a backup). - - - Updated - - - Pretty sure that would still be in use if SIMS would run on it

I've seen so many schools onprem fail its scary. School don't have the money to recruit and retain good IT staff. Don't get me wrong, there are exceptions! But I don't miss the days of sitting in a school asking basic questions and getting worrying answer (like when you last did a backup). - - - Updated - - - Pretty sure that would still be in use if SIMS would run on it

Someone did the same thing around here but to the power stations, they'd been stealing the cooper. Well until they switched off the wrong one...

Again. I've had more power outages then my broadband going down. Still your mileage may vary, but it's worth looking into, a better internet connection has far more benefits then just being able to outsource your MIS. There are lot of other companies out there that run their own fibre.

Something that works doesn't come high on the To-Do list. You may know its slowly poisoning you, but the "risk" doesn't appear to out way the benefits. It's why we all still have petrol\diesel cars

Sounds like you'd need to fire a few staff to cover that cost!

We're talking about Capita here, it'll be an £ add-on.