matt40k

Sounds like one for @David_Grashoff

I'd be interested to hear how people have got on with it (HCSS by Access) and how they are finding support. I've heard some horror stories about terrible support and high staff turnover (mainly because of massive growth).

Fine to run with users on the system. Just copying. No moving.

One would assume they are referring to the fact you folks (Capita) have expanded the School online payment systems into a full finance system... sounds pretty logical

Huh, they've stuck with JasperSoft for reporting. Still surprised they went with it, still I guess its free. Wonder if they expect schools to use that to build reports? Has anyone asked about the report builder in SIMS 8? Hopefully they have a solution!

That's the idea of using the transfer login stored procedure before backing up... so it doesn't reset the passwords

Nope. It just creates a (full) copy. Might want to check you aren't backing it up however, otherwise you could fill your backups with backups of backups of backups

Yup! Schema is just like a folder. If you don't set the database, it defaults to the current database and if you don't a schema it defaults to dbo. dbo is the fallback, for me its my Desktop

Looks good. "exec fmsacad.sims.db_p_transfer_login" fmsacad is the database sims is the schema db_p_transfer_login is the object - this case the stored procedure. Yes its safe to run. It will copy the users from Master to SIMS\FMS db. Users still login to Master, not the SIMS\FMS db. Only way it could break would be if the backup filled the hard drive

Weird. Capita Annual statement was opposite, was all about growth (hinting outside of UK). Sounds like its turning on the blinkers IMHO - there is only SIMS. Still would make a great game - each player picks a non Capita MIS and see how many times you can say your MIS during event, bonus points if you can get Capita staff to say it.

With no competition in the room?

SQL 2017 Express is limited to 4 cores and 1.4GB ram

DfE \ BBC are publicly funded, it's.... interesting. Logic doesn't always apply. Bromcom not turning up was massive, it added massive weight to the rumour they might go under and stopped alot of schools even discussing them being an option. The thing about Capita partners\MSPs is they support other non-SIMS MIS systems. They won't be pushing SIMS. Capita needs to push SIMS. Lot of the issues with SIMS can be resolved, Capita need to stop lying on their laurels and push. They need to accept they can't charge for everything, give some of those training sessions away for free to help schools resolve some of those issues and max the SIMS investment. I can't accept a company that has, what 80% market share can't afford to make appearance at a major event.

I don't think the major players need to be at the front. People will seek them out, sure most people would be happy to walk to the back if they got something - discount, an add-on for free\trial, or even a free can of drink. Not sure RM is a good example!!

Ahhh!!! I can't see it really making that much difference, BETT having new owners, I mean you can't say price, because other smaller players have coughed up. I can't imagine no schools \ MATs \ LAs won't turn up, even if it is just for the free pens, so you can't say it it's about footfall. Capita is a PLC, so an element is public opinion. Not turning up after sooo many years kinda raises a red flag, its just like GroupCall not turning up. Lets be honest, they don't need to turn up, but they do, to make a statement.

New owners???

Don't know what he knows but the annual statement was talking about zero growth in the Education Service (ie SIMS) space, the half year statement said they have committed to SaaS offering detailing signification investment in SIMS8 development which is due out in 2018. I appreciate some schools might be using it but for many its just vapourware. It also goes on about focusing on growth over retention, currently 70% of its revenue is from existing contract. You've got independent report on the MIS market based on DfE data that shows losses, not gains. It states some gains internationally, mainly in India, but India doesn't like people outsourcing the work, which I guess is why its outsourcing work over to India. Then you've got the issue with that pesky Brexit, which could make selling internationally... interesting and lets not forget about the whole ICO CTF issue. Then you've got the whole overall fact investors are staying clear of Capita. Lot of pressure on you folks.

Well clearly not as they haven't posted it on here and doesn't "all in the online places many of you visit multiple times each week for educational news, updates and commentary." sound like EduGeek?

So, who's gonna tell them about EduGeek?

They'll slap you with a large bill WHEN they find out.

I think its blood in the water

Cough, cough: https://simsbulkimport.uk/ (large) cough http://www.edugeek.net/forums/sims-bulk-import/99098-sims-bulk-import-5.html#post1696218

Not sure it would be that simple, I think you'll run into problems when the generators kick in and have a power spike. Also, what about the other end? It's pretty pointless having servers up that no-one can connect to. Personally wouldn't it make sense to have some servers either running in Azure or ready to spin up then just have UPS locally that make sure the servers shutdown gracefully.

SQL logins are stored in the MASTER database. That stored procedure copies the logins\passwords into the SIMS \ FMS database.

SQL on a different port and no SQL Browser service... i guess