CTF version is incorrect / out of date

This is likely due to the CTF being sent on an earlier version of SIMS than it is received or vice versa. Workaround: You will need to manually edit the CTF version in the XML file. To do this, use the file manager shortcut to find the CTF (usually under SIMS/STAR/CTFin) and right click on the XML…

SchoolChooser

SchoolChooser is an application that allows a single Scomis Hosted Applications user ID and password to be used with multiple schools on the Hosted Platform.  The initial versions of SchoolChooser allowed users to select a school from a drop down list.  The list was populated from information in the Scomis Hosted Applications platform. What’s New?…

How do I search in Windows 8?

The Windows 8.1 Search tool is no longer just about scanning your own system. It’s now integrated with Bing, delivering internet results and (sometimes) even Wikipedia-style summaries of whatever you’re searching for. To give this a try, launch the Charms bar, click Search, type ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and press Enter. As well as seeing any matches…

SIMS Reporting on Linked Documents

Reporting on Linked Documents In the upgrade SIMS Summer 2016 Capita have brought in a change to the reporting dictionary which means you can now report on linked documents. This will enable you to select a Documents sub-report, which in turn allows you to list all document recorded against a student. Select Reports – Design…

Deleting SIMS Reports created by another user.

As you know, when a user creates a report within SIMS, only that user can amend or delete the report. Other users can use this as a base for their own report but the original report remains in effect. Therefore when a person leaves or changes role, their reports were orphaned within SIMS in previous…

How to add date range to SEN report

In the fields section expand the +SEN option then choose the Special Needs sub report – this is at the bottom and not the same as the SEN Needs at the top. Once this is active the Start date and/or End dates may be chosen and used in the filter definitions.   Reviewed – 19/03/2018

Support staff showing in Cover

Support staff don’t normally appear under Focus>Person>Manage Classroom Staff If they do then it is likely that they have either been used for Cover or had a timetable in the past. It is not advisable to change the staff code as it affects the personnel record but schools can remove the assignability for the year…

How to add Key Stage results for new pupils

Pupils have joined the school since the tests so their results are not showing on the marksheets. They need to be entered in the same way they would have been at the time. Go to Tools>Performance>Assessment>Wizard Manager Choose the previous year’s wizard eg Key Stage 1 2015 click Next Use the browser to populate with…

How to set the paths for EXAMIN\EXAMOUT

This can be done within the Examinations software. Tools>School Setup>School Details Under EDI Directories browse to the network path required Save Reviewed 24/5/2019

Address Validation not working

Address validation is enabled by running licence patch 7186.   The activates the address validation service in Tools / Setups / Services If the service is there (i.e. the patch has been run), and the school phones in to say it is offline, it is one of two things  It cannot get to the address…

Blank Contact on Data Collection Sheet

Extra contact showing on data collection sheet but with no name just a comma and a telephone number. This may just be an extra line for the named contact in the line above.  Check under Focus>Person>Contact to see if there are multiple telephone entries. Reviewed 14/05/2018 KB17491

Deploying Updates/Patches via Solus 3 Manually

If your updates are not scheduled to run automatically then follow the below procedure to use Solus 3 to check for updates. On the machine where Solus 3 is installed, run the SOLUS3 User Interface from the icon on the desktop.         From the main Solus 3 screen, click on “Upgrades” and…

Unable to access NCA Tools website

  We have had calls from schools that have been unable to access NCA Tools website via Internet Explorer in Scomis Hosted Applications, and as a locally hosted school. They receive either of the following two errors that are shown below. Testing performed by Scomis has revealed that the website actively blocks connection requests from…

Adding a Machine to Solus 3 on an Active Directory Network

If you have got Solus 3 installed on your Windows Server based Active Directory network and wish to add a new SIMS/FMS/Discover workstation then please do the following: On the server where Solus 3 is installed (usually the SIMS server), open the Solus 3 Deployment Server UI.           Once opened, click…

HCSS Budgeting known issues

Following the introduction of HCSS Budgeting throughout Devon maintained schools it has been decided that a rolling FAQ for important information and known issues would be created. This will be updated as and when we get new information.   17/05/2016 – Staff members that have had a break of service are not showing to import via the P7…

Teacher leaving and timetable transfer

Create the new member of staff in Manager Classroom Staff if not already there – this will automatically create a Personnel Record In Timetable, Plan>Teachers Open the teacher record by double click or Edit>overwrite the details and the whole timetable will be allocated to the new teacher. Send the timetable over for the next day. The…

Report to show new students or leavers.

You may need to know any joiners and leavers over a date range. There is a report built into SIMS which can show you this. Go to Reports>Run Reports>Click the + to expand Focus and select Student, Select and run either Migration Report for Arrivals or Leavers and enter the date range you need. This…

Teacher App will not accept Date of Birth

When logging into the Teacher App for the first time it will ask you to enter your activation code and Date of Birth. If when entering this information it comes with a message to say “the given combination is invalid” you will need to check to make sure that your DOB has not been changed…

Teachers not showing under “Users tab” within the Teacher App console

Problem: When Clicking on the “Users tab” within the Sims Teacher App console, the page is blank and teachers are not showing in the panel. Resolution:    Please try logging out and logging back into the Teacher app management console (https://setup. capita-sims.co.uk).  If teachers are still not showing, please try restarting Sims Service Manager. Note : Hosted Schools…

Identifying Basedata

Basedata for a particular series consists of a set of linked files. The names of these files follow an agreed standard, with the first letter denoting what information the file contains. When basedata is first downloaded from the exam board the file will begin with a Z. Files starting with a Z are zipped files that combine all…

FMS Bank statement balances are incorrect

Problem:When viewing opening and closing balances in bank reconciliation,the balances are incorrect Solution: Please open the bank reconciliation browse and press F7 key.  FMS will then verify your bank statements and adjust the opening and closing balances to what they should be. Please contact the Scomis Service desk, if you require further assistance. Reviewed 13/04/2018 kb16988…

Creating a User Defined Group

Please see the following document for advice on how to create a user defined group: Creating a User Defined Group KB13332 – Running reports for user defined group KB23120 – Adding a user defined group to Discover KB19505 – Removing a student from a user defined group.   Reviewed: 27/7/20

How to hide Home language on student record.

Please check with your Local Authority that they are not collecting information on Home language before making this change. With the Spring 2016 release of Sims you can now hide the Home Language from within the Ethnic/Cultural section of the Student record. No data is deleted when making this change it is just simply hidden…

Teacher App crashing on an iPad

User is able to log in but the application closes after a few minutes. Please try resynching with iTunes (Settings > iTunes & App Store) then uninstall and reinstall the SIMS teacher app.