Capita are working on a new SIMS Deployment Server which, it is hoped, will streamline the installation of the SIMS client and associated infrastructure to machines in schools.

Replacing the current system with SOLUS 3, the Deployment Server will employ a service that controls SIMS updates at school by communication with a SIMS Agent on the client workstation.

The SIMS Agents sit on each SIMS computer, understanding the role of the machine (e.g. SIMS SQL Server or FMS Client).

These “smart” agents can update SIMS without user intervention as well as install clients afresh. As infrastructure packages can also be deployed, it should remove the need for visits to PCs.

Updates can also be deployed when it is convenient for the school (overnight, middle of the day etc.).

We are attending a SIMS Technical Consultation Group in Doncaster on Tuesday 18th November 2008, so we’ll hopefully be able to provide more information after this event.

I know some schools have already seen a presentation on the subject so please fill any gaps in this post by commenting below!

A number of schools have contacted me to discuss Capita’’s SIMS Infrastructure Update Tool. According to Paul Christie at Ladybridge High School, RM are advising that this program be run on all SIMS workstations.

The SIMS Infrastructure Update Tool does the following:

• Installs .net Framework 2 and 3
• Removes old setup files from PCs which had SIMS installed prior to March 2004
• Installs two bar code fonts used by SIMS Partners

Even if .net Framework 2 hasn”t been rolled out, I suspect most schools won”t need to use this tool as PCs will have been rebuilt/replaced since March 2004. Also, unless schools use optical mark readers, the bar code fonts won”t be required.

In addition, Judith Holden at Sharples Secondary School has reported that the program takes a long time to run. Judith has kindly informed us that Capita document InfrastructRNa_12377.pdf suggests it can take 15 minutes or more depending on network configuration and memory. Judith has also tried installing .net Framework 3 onto a PC with 1GB RAM and that too took a long time to install.

The SIMS Infrastructure Update Tool can be downloaded directly from Capita by clicking here.

To download the SIMS bar code fonts on their own, please click here.

If you wish to discuss further, please don”t hesitate to get in touch or leave a comment below.