Latest IT News and Offers

Licensing
You may be aware that the Surrey Select license has now changed companies from Ramesys to a company called Phoenix. 
Contact details :  Stephen Piercy - Tel: 0845 265 1311   Mob: 07739 919196  stephen-piercy@phoenixs.co.uk
For further details please go to: Software Licensing

SIMS.net and FMS Spring Upgrade and SQL Migration
The automated service for the overnight SIMS and FMS Spring upgrade was a great success. Please be aware will be offering the overnight service again for the next SIMS upgrade. The automated SQL 2008 Migrations will continue to be scheduled. Schools that want to use this service can do so at a favourable rate or use any existing technical time.
The automated SQL migration service has restarted again now that the Spring upgrades have been completed.

Our New Curriculum Server Solution
We now have the second school piloting our new curriculum server solution, and the feedback so far is very positive. Our third and final school will be installed shortly and we will be looking to offer the solution to all schools in the Autumn term.

New Remote Computer Management software
As part of our SLA we are updating the Remote Software which allows us to remotely access your schools servers or workstations to fix and resolve problems without having to phsically visit your school site. This software upgrade will be free of charge for one workstation (two for secondary schools) and one admin server per school.

Server 2008 R2 & SQL 2008 R2 versions not supported by Capita
Please be aware if purchasing and building Windows Server 2008 for your Admin network that SIMS is currently not supported on the Windows Server 2008 R2 version of the Operating System.
With the introduction of the SIMS Summer release, Capita will be supporting the SIMS Learning Gateway server components (Sharepoint and Application tier) on a Windows Server 2008 R2 environment. However, the SIMS MIS system itself will not be supported until after this. Capita are currently evaluating it on R2 and when a support date is confirmed, we will inform you.

Windows 7 is the latest version of Microsoft Windows.
There are many benefits for the latest operating system:
• Loads programs and boots or shuts down faster
• Easier to navigate and multitask
• Greater stability
• Enhanced security
• Multi-touch capabilities
We will be supporting Windows 7 on the admin side after the Spring upgrade to Sims.net.

Server 2008
Windows server 2008 is the latest version of Microsoft Windows Server. It is the most secure Windows Server so far, helping protect against failure and intrusion of servers, networks, data and user accounts. We offer support for Server 2008 on the curriculum side and are currently testing for Admin, with the rollout and support expected shortly.
One issue that is worth highlighting is the fact that you can no longer back up to tape with Windows Server 2008. If you want to use tapes for your backup you will need to purchase some 3rd party software for this to work. However, backups to external or internal disks, DVD’s, shared folders or using our Online Backup system works fine.

Microsoft Windows Updates Browser Information
As you may have heard, over the coming weeks virtually every Windows user will receive notification that they have a choice to make...


For help with any of our IT services please contact
Lorna Higgs
lorna.higgs@vtplc.com
0800 073 4444 option 1 (ICT Helpdesk)