ticktock

I was told the other week by a project manager at BTLS that we would get full support with Netsweeper and any problems would be sorted by their technical staff. The reality isn't so, I've been in contact with them and it's all the end users responsibility (google it and read the documentation, basically stop bothering us) unless of course you subscribe to their support. On another note Netsweeper does not support radius in the same way lightspeed did. You have to install an authentication portal on a DC and be really careful you don't over load with too many machines trying to authenticate or it might slow down??? This will be our last year with BTLS.

Actually just running through the setup now. It needs a PAC file, a certificate and an agent sending out. Creating the GPOs at the minute.

Ring them up 0300-123-6797 Option 1. I think if you are providing support the school may need to register you with BT Lancashire so they will respond to your requests.

I've never had any issue with support, Lightspeed are always really helpful. The product has been rock solid (for us, I can't speak for others) and is used by many schools in Lancashire. It also has all the features I need. It just works (for me anyway!).

Why did you change from Lightspeed. Was it cost?

It was the first I'd heard of it when I got the call off Martin as well although they insisted the message had gone out on the portal. We are late July a well. Best to leave it until it settles down.

Does anyone know if Netsweeper supports blocking VPNs on phones etc as Lightspeed does now.

He just said it would be moving across to Netsweeper as well when I put him on the spot. I'll see what they get back with, he was going to find out some more details.....

Why are they changing? Do you think it is cost or functionality. Just searched right through the portal and can't find anything.

I think he was called Martin. The poor chap had just been given the task of ringing round and wasn't technical. I thing I must have missed something on the portal about the changeover. Do you know when it was sent out?

I can't believe they are doing this. We are more than happy with lightspeed. The chap that just called said they are getting rid of the MDM as well. More hassle I don't need.

Sorted, wasn't needed it was just a warning on the install. Thanks to anyone that was looking into this.

Hi I'm just trying to install sophos EC on Server 2008 R2 (don't ask) and I'm stuck on one of the validation checks that says There is no certificate installed that can be used with SQL server. Is this something I need to buy or download? Apologies if this a daft question.

It was the SQL process in task manager. This was narrowed down by the sql query the LA provided which listed who was hogging CPU time within SQL hence we could find the users causing the issue. The server is fine now and sims is back to normal.

Check the sims server, just had a problem with ours running at 100% CPU. LA said we needed a new server as it was under spec (they supplied it!!!). We finally go to the bottom of it when they ran a query in sql which highlighted which users were hogging the CPU. It turned out our attendance officer had told staff to pin a widget/panel onto their sims page with attendance YTD for the whole school, this refreshed every 12 mins causing the server to die as lots of staff had added it. One teacher had 28 panels pinned! Oh and the server now consistently runs at under 10% CPU.

Doesn't sound good.......

Anyone know what the issue is with Class Charts today. It has been down all day with a message on their site saying it is down to their data centre and out of their control. Just wondered if anyone had some inside info on what it might be. Staff are not happy as the software is used a lot in school (and well liked).

Hadn't thought of that. Instead of snapping them and throwing them around the classroom they will be making a few quid on the side!

£25 for a second hand pen is the cheapest I could find yesterday on ebay. They used to be £99 for a pack of 10 new ones. Some are being offered at over £50 as they know they are out of production.

These don't work on the really old boards (of which we have quite a few!). If I'd known they were going end of life I would have ordered more than the occasional pack of 10 when I needed them. I know the stuff we have is old but this really puts me off ordering any new Promethean kit.

I believe 4Matrix isn't going cloud based until 2019 at the earliest hence my leaning towards SISRA. Seating plans are already in Class Charts and Mint Class if you use these in school.

Apologies I know this is an old thread but just in case anyone is interested. I've had experience of both systems and the big plus for me is the fact that SISRA is web based. Just seems to be personal preference as to which one is best among staff. But from an ICT viewpoint it has to be SISRA.

and Class Charts.......

I asked them at BETT when they planned to go web based and they didn't have an answer. Hopefully soon.

Fair enough. Just seemed odd when everything else is moving to the cloud but this seems to be going the other way.