Since the end of 2021 there has been a significant shift in the shape of the MIS market, with noteworthy gains in market share for the so-called challenger MIS'. The inroads to SIMS market share have been significant, falling from 76% in May 2019 to 60% in May 2022. It is widely anticipated that the trends of challenger MIS’ gaining schools will continue and will be evident when the next set of data is published. In this accelerated growth period, Arbor (13%) and Bromcom (6%) have gained the most market share and stand out as the two MIS’ that are on an accelerated growth trajectory. HFL Education has been at the forefront of market changes during this period, launching a new Multi-Supplier Licensing Framework in April 2022. The Framework offers significant discounts to licences on three MIS systems; Arbor, Bromcom and ScholarPack. Whilst we’ve loved being in the thick of market changes and selling the benefits of cloud-based MIS, we recognise that SIMS remain a major player with 60% of market share and we have retained our status as a SIMS accredited support partner.
At HFL, we have seen significant numbers of schools choosing to move MIS over the last year. Those that moved recognised the economy and ease of working with a market aggregator and took advantage of the discount of up to 35% discount on licences that we had negotiated. The overarching rationale for schools changing MIS was the recognition of the significant benefits that a cloud-based MIS delivers. The pandemic brought the advantages of anyplace, anytime access and real term updates into sharp focus. When HFL launched our MIS Framework, we estimated that around 20% of the schools we supported would elect choose to change their MIS. The number of migrations the HFL team has managed to date is almost three times higher than initially predicted and shows the growing popularity of cloud-based systems in schools. So what have we learned that might benefit schools looking to change their MIS in the future?
Planning your migration is everything – as early in the process as possible, get your team on-board, identify a ‘champion’ in school to drive the change process. Who are the users in your organisation that will be most affected by a change of MIS? Involve them in the planning and make sure that they feel heard and that their training needs will be met. Most primary school migrations take four to six weeks, from planning to implementation. Make sure that you allow enough time to make it a successful transition.
Change Management – in the current financial climate, school leaders face many challenges in balancing school budgets. Realising efficiencies by moving your IT including MIS to the cloud is one way to potentially reduce operating costs. However, managing the associated change can be challenging and it is important that schools, settings and trusts make a time investment in managing the change. All MIS systems are different and taking the time to train new users, showing them where to find the features and functionality needed to perform their role effectively is time well invested. If you need additional support to help manage the change, or with upskilling your users to optimise their use of the new system contact us to discuss how HFL can help, with bespoke, strategic and/or operational change management consultancy.
Don’t be tempted to cut corners on the migration process – we have learned (through supporting many, many schools with their migrations), that the pre-migration preparation is just as important as the training and support once your data is transferred. The HFL team has streamlined our migration package, which includes advice on preparing your data before the transfer, pre-recorded training videos for your staff to follow at their own pace and a series of live calls with one of our dedicated MIS experts for any questions or additional support, both before and after the data migration. The programme is designed to set your school up for the best chance of success possible at (and following) your go-live date
Your new MIS is not the same as the old one - Indeed, it may be even better! Don’t expect processes to be the same in your new MIS as they were in the old one, things will be done differently. All of the MIS on the HFL Framework have undergone a rigorous procurement process and all meet the requirements we set out in the product specification. Have an open mind and encourage staff to try to let go of how things used to be done. It really doesn’t take long to get used to a new system with the right training and support. Embrace the change!
Compared to carrying out your own procurement exercise, calling off a framework is easy and cost-effective. HFL is a public body and followed a full and compliant process to establish the Framework such that schools, settings, trusts and LAs can call-off knowing the procurement risk is managed. Schools and Trusts engage directly with suppliers to see their products and decide which meets their needs. Once an order is agreed with the supplier, securing savings on license costs of up to 35% on market rates, they will notify us that you want to use the HFL Framework and HFL Education will call-down on your behalf; all you need to do then is sign and return the agreement we send you and you are ready to start planning your migration process.
Effective from November 2022, schools and trusts are also able to access the HFL Education MIS Framework via G-Cloud 13. HFL Education’s inclusion on G-Cloud provides the opportunity to purchase your MIS licenses at the preferential rates already secured by HFL via our own procurement exercise in 2021/22, and our MIS support as well as services to support schools with migration to cloud, all in one place. Buying via the Digital Marketplace means that schools and trusts can be assured of HFL’s compliance with UK Government requirements, as all suppliers on the framework have been approved following a rigorous application process.
The HFL Framework is open to all English Academies and Multi Academy Trusts and Local Authority maintained schools, so all schools can benefit from a potential saving of up to 35% on their MIS license. HFL also offers migration and support services, although schools can choose to retain their local support provider and still benefit from using the framework to purchase licenses. We are also able to provide a licensing agreement for Local Authorities acting on behalf of a group of schools.
Has your school or trust changed MIS? What did you learn from the experience? We would love to hear from you, contact us on the details below.
If you are considering changing your MIS, or you are a Local Authority team looking at MIS licensing options on behalf of schools and would like to discuss our MIS framework, migration or support further, please contact us at misframework@hertsforlearning.co.uk or visit:
*(With thanks to Joshua Perry at https://bringmoredata.blogspot.com for the data)
Jennie Readings
