Education MIS MIS Support Partners Strategy Technology Uncategorized

Navigating the Evolving World of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Sarah Finnemore 0 Comment

Management Information Systems are the backbone of educational institutions, helping them to make informed decisions, streamline operations, and enhance overall efficiency. In the past, MIS was primarily about data storage and reporting, but it has since evolved into a multifaceted ecosystem. Today, MIS encompasses a wide array of functions, including student information management, financial administration, communication, parental engagement, analytics, and supporting the school development plan.

 

Last week, over 250 of you brilliant people participated in our online MIS Discovery Sessions, thank you so much for supporting our events. Everyone from MIS managers and finance officers, to support partners and headteachers attended – there’s just so much interest in what’s possible in the world of MIS right now.

 

The Ever-Evolving World of MIS

One of the key reasons for MIS’s continuous evolution is its adaptability to changing educational needs. As technology advances and educational methodologies evolve, MIS systems have had to keep pace. This adaptability is essential in helping educational institutions meet the ever-changing demands of students, parents, and regulatory bodies.

 

Looking Ahead

The world of MIS is poised for even more exciting developments in the future. With advancements in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cloud computing, MIS will continue to transform the way educational institutions operate. It will empower educators and leaders to make data-driven decisions, personalize learning experiences, and improve overall educational outcomes.

 

Engaging in the World of MIS

Nick and I have both worked in this area for over 20 years now and love how it continues to innovate – as it should! If MIS is your thing then you can:

 

  1. Join our ‘Future of MIS’ LinkedIn Group: Our online community, ‘Future of MIS,’ on LinkedIn is a hub for like-minded individuals. Here, we share insights, discuss trends, and connect with professionals who share your passion for MIS. Join us here.

 

 

2. Access Discovery Session Recordings: In our recent MIS Discovery Sessions, we had the privilege of hearing from industry leaders Bromcom, Arbor Education, and IRIS Education. These sessions are a treasure trove of knowledge, and you can access the recordings to gain valuable insights into the latest developments in MIS:

Bromcom MIS Discovery Session

Arbor MIS Discovery Session

IRIS Ed:gen MIS Discovery Session

 

 

3. Explore Our #FinnemoreFireside Chats: We’ve had the privilege of sitting down with edtech and MIS thought leaders to discuss the future of MIS in education. These insightful conversations are available on our blog, offering you a chance to hear from experts in the field. Explore our Fireside Chats here.

 

 

Education MIS New business Partners Strategy Technology

Free MIS Discovery Sessions for Schools, Academies & Trusts this September

Nick Finnemore 2 Comment

On the back of a LOT of requests from schools, academies, partners and MATS, this September we were pleased to independently host a series of MIS Discovery Sessions.

With everything going on in the MIS market at the moment, schools have a real appetite for understanding all the MIS+Finance options available to them. They told us they’d like to take a look at all the MIS options available in England & Wales so this month we were pleased to host the three largest multi-phase, cloud-based school MIS+Finance suppliers: Bromcom, Arbor and IRIS Ed:gen.

Who were the Sessions for?

We hosted the MIS Discovery Sessions as virtual events which are completely free of charge to participate in and to attend. The sessions were open to all schools, MATs and academies in England and Wales, plus anyone else from the sector who’d like to find out more.

 

What did the Discovery Sessions cover?

We asked suppliers to talk about how their MIS meets the needs of key people within schools (including business managers, SLT, teaching staff, finance, students, governors, and parents) and asked them all the follow the same agenda to make it easier to compare.
But it wasn’t just about the software; we also asked suppliers to talk about their organisation and culture, and what it’s like to work with them – especially when it comes to switching MIS. There was plenty of Q&A throughout each day and the goal was to help everyone feel confident about the options open to them and the next steps.

I was unable to attend, can I access recordings and information now?

Yes, all the suppliers are happy to share the recordings plus more info on everything discussed in the sessions, just click on the links below:

 

Bromcom MIS Discovery Session

Arbor MIS Discovery Session

IRIS Ed:gen MIS Discovery Session

Thank you to all the suppliers who took part, and to all the participants who joined us in the sessions. We had over 240 people register across the three days and the feedback has been great.
We’re looking to run further sessions in the future – watch this space!
#FinnemoreFireside Education Leadership MIS Strategy Technology

Ep. 025 – Business Leader Q&A: Winston Poyton, Senior Product Director at IRIS Software Group

Sarah Finnemore 0 Comment

Following on from our first fireside with the Senior Product Director at IRIS Software in November 2020, we’re delighted to welcome Winston Poyton back for a follow-up conversation – especially given so much has changed in the world of school management systems in the last 12 months alone.

 

In this fireside chat, Nick and Winston discuss:

  • Developments across the IRIS business since our last Q&A session when iSAMS had only just been added to the portfolio
  • How IRIS is busy reinforcing its education credentials through building relationships and listening
  • Their thought leadership work including this webinar with Lord Jim Knight, and their recently published whitepaper “Are Education Management Systems Future-Fit?”
  • The wellbeing challenges faced by schools – especially in the light of Covid – and how technology can help
  • The ways in which the MAT landscape continues to evolve and why academies are demanding more
  • Innovation and what this means: it’s not just about new tech, but new ways of doing things
  • How IRIS is working hard to make sure their customer experience is as intuitive and friction-free as possible

 

We’ve split the interview into 3 parts to make it easier to digest. Enjoy!