How do you tackle the MIS dilemma?

Switching Management Information Systems (MIS) is a simple, safe and secure process for schools and multi academy trusts (MATs) that research the market, engage with the right partner from the beginning, and allow enough time for the migration process.

If your current contract ends in March 2025 but you’re putting off making a decision until later this calendar year, you could find that you’re locked into a contract renewal – and that might not be in your school or MAT’s best interests. Schools that delay starting the process will also find there is limited availability of migration slots, as thousands of other schools will potentially be looking to switch at the same time.

Avoiding unforeseen challenges

When schools have an MIS that adapts to their unique needs and simplifies administrative tasks, they can dedicate more resources to achieving educational excellence. Teachers can spend more time in the classroom, and administrators can focus on strategic initiatives to enhance the quality of education. In this way, flexibility and configurability lead to improved educational outcomes.

Without careful research and planning however, some schools are still choosing an MIS not suitable to their needs and end up making a further switch later down the line. They find themselves facing challenges and limitations that were not apparent during the selection process. These can include workarounds, increased manual efforts, and a sense of dissatisfaction with the system’s inability to adapt to specific needs such as the lack of data analytics functionality, or bespoke reporting.

At a time when education budgets are stretched more than ever, and value for money is paramount, this is obviously far from ideal – and it’s a situation that can easily be avoided.

Ensuring a successful switch

You can move to a MIS that is the best match for your school or MAT by following these three simple planning stages:

• Explore providers and have demos – The first stage of the process for switching MIS is to decide which solutions you want to explore and see in action, and to identify where your current MIS falls short. Ask lots of questions – it is important that you move to an MIS which has the functionality and features to meet your needs, rather than one that ‘looks nice’. This process usually takes up to four weeks and will involve talking to your colleagues and maybe other schools, as you outline which features are required and select the best MIS for your needs.

• Give notice to your current provider – Now you have chosen your new MIS provider, your current provider will require a 12 week notice period, which gives you plenty of time to prepare and begin onboarding discussions with your new MIS team.

• Onboarding – This will commence with an initial discovery call to outline timeframes, requirements, and plans to manage any risks. From the point of your initial onboarding discovery call, the process as a whole can take on average a minimum of eight weeks for primary schools, and up to 12 weeks for secondary schools.

Schools don’t have to suffer in silence

If your school or MAT is with an MIS provider that is not meeting your needs, you don’t need to suffer in silence. It’s better to switch to a solution that is going to meet your long- term requirements and goals. Starting this process early means you get more freedom, flexibility, and choice of your start date.

Bromcom has 37 years’ experience of delivering MIS to thousands of schools. We are constantly developing our system to reduce the need for costly third party ‘bolt ons’, and we present our software via up-to-date browser technology and an intuitive user-friendly interface making everyday tasks simple to find and execute.

Furthermore, as part of our commitment to save public money on inadequate systems, Bromcom offers a Buy Back option, where we’ll pay off the remainder of your current contract (up to three years) so you can make the switch immediately to Bromcom.

Join our webinar to find out more

Bromcom is hosting two webinars, one for MATs and academies on 11^th July, and one for LAs and maintained schools on 12^th July, Join us to find out more about how other schools have successfully made the switch, to learn more about the migration process, and discover how Bromcom can meet your needs.