Capita announced at the recent Software Update Seminar that they are considering using the Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Engine to power SIMS reports in the next decade. As a result, SIMS may well be migrated to MS SQL Server 2008 in spring 2010.

The first reports to use the new engine will replace those currently found in Nova-T4, followed by FMS and then the rest of SIMS.

Consultation will begin in March 2009 and we’ll be keen to get as much input from Bolton schools as possible.

The reason Capita are not considering the reporting engine in SQL 2005 (the version currently used by SIMS) is that it isn’t fully functional in the Express (free) version used by most non-secondary schools. Changing the reporting engine without a move to SQL 2008 would result in those schools losing the ability to create custom reports.

The move to SQL 2008 in early 2010 will have licensing implications for those on the full version of SQL Server 2005. We made enquires with our licence re-seller regarding purchasing SQL Server 2008 licences now and downgrading. The response was as follows:

“Customers will have full downgrade rights as long as licences are purchased via Select.  Box products do not have downgrade rights.”

So, if you are about to make the move to full SQL Server 2005, buy 2008 licences with downgrade rights to future proof your investment. For those already on the full version with 2005 licences, please consider budgeting for SQL Server 2008 licences in the next fiscal year.