Student Information/ Management Programmes

[roygmitchell]

Hey guys,

I wanted to pick your brains and see if I can get recommendations for
Student information/ management / administration programmes for a
large primary school. We seem to be at a crossroads in my school as
regards making up our own student databases and having services such
as text a parent and staff message boards through many different
services. It's becoming a little disjointed and I had a few questions:

Can anyone recommend a software/ programme/ service that they use in
their schools?
What are the pros/cons of the different services out there?
What criteria should I be looking out for?
What about future proofing such services in advance of the DES making
any move in the future towards digital record keeping (hard as that
would be to believe)?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/ advice around this whole topic!
Cheers,

Roy

[Ken Cowley]

Hi Roy,

I realise it would be inappropriate to promote products on this forum, as it
might be considered an intrusion on forum members and unfair on our
competitors, so I'll just answer your question factually and briefly.

I work for Software Asset Management Ireland, and we have a school
management system called Edvance Primary, which I'd be happy to talk to you
about, off-list.

Thanks,

Ken Cowley
SAMI/Edvance Primary
Email k...@sami.ie
Phone 01 8973116
www.edvance.ie
www.sami.ie

Hey guys,

Roy

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[G P Ashe]

Take a look at vsware.ie - they have a cloud-based system...

gpa

[Simon Lewis]

Hi Roy

There are no fewer than 7 companies offering Management Information Systems in Ireland. There are Aladdin, eSchools, eChipmunk, VSWare, DataBiz Solutions, Edvance and SchoolWare. There are probably more out there that I haven't come across. Each one offers a system that have slight variations on each other. For me the first way to divide them is into two camps - online and local access. After that, it's a matter of personal preference, in my opinion.

Take care

Simon
-------------------------------------------------------------
Simon Lewis               
http://about.me/anseo
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Anseo.net - http://www.anseo.net
Try Mash, the new web site for primary teachers - http://www.mash.ie

[Tony Healy]

Hi Roy,

We looked at a number of the systems available and the features they offer. There wasn't a lot between them.

We took two things into consideration
1.  Cloud based or local server based
2.  Cost - initial outlay and yearly charges thereafter.

As a school with 920 pupils and 47 teachers, ease of use was an important factor.

1.  We considered cloud v local - and given the recurring problems we have with "low speed" broadband and the numbers of times we are without service, we opted for local server.  This narrowed the field.

2.  We looked at the various companies and their price structures. We were astonished with the variations but more importantly, the on-going costs year on year. 

In the end we went with Databiz and find them great. There is ongoing support and ongoing development.

We're very happy with the service so far.
TonyH

[Roy Mitchell]

Hey Simon, 

Thanks for that! It's a lot of food for thought! There's quite a bit out there. And they are all so similar. I can't seem to find any independent reviews of any of them (except the one on Anseo.net of Aladdin schools) which is a shame. If anyone knows of any reviews do let us know!

Cheers, 

Roy