The Australian Education Reporter
The complete software package
PCSCHOOL’S Administration Software is a proven, tried-and-true platform used in schools across Australia and New Zealand.
The School Administration Software has the flexibility to integrate seamlessly with other programs or function as a fully self-contained standalone system.
In 2016, Padua College in Kedron, Queensland embarked on an overall ICT strategy to support the following underlying requirements; keep it simple / ease of use, fit-for-purpose, and flexibility to grow or change.
With more than 1200 students and a very high focus on student engagement, the college considered three potential approaches;
(a) Building a completely new, all-in-one information system;
(b) Developing an intermediate system layer in which all data from the source systems is mirrored and later processed (data warehouse);
(c) Defining interfaces between all the different existing information systems to allow data exchange (interoperability framework).
“After careful consideration and evaluation we went ahead with an interoperability framework in order to provide to perform our large wish list while remaining robust, scalable, flexible and using open platform to support integration easily,” Padua College ICT Systems manager Peter Yeates said.
“Pcschool is our trusted data source for the school since 1988,” he said.
“Pcschool constitutes the Administrative School Information system which includes the master data of the school, students, teachers, guardians and alumni, as well as the complete financial management of the college.”
Mr Yeates said the company provided a robust central SQL database delivered over a modern web interface.
“Pcschool’s very high level of support and their willingness to work closely with the college and other providers is crucial to the interoperability framework.”
“It is refreshing to have a homegrown Queensland company willing to work with other Australian companies to enhance the level of integration,” he said.
PC Schools coordinates with Schoolbox by Alaress (provider for Learning Management requirements) and Timetabler by Timetable Solutions (for creation and daily management of timetables that refreshes Pcschool as the master database on a daily basis).
It also coordinates with international companies such as; FACTS Management to provide payment planning options for the school community, Microsoft for identity management, Azure Active Directory integration, and the facility of Single Sign between software packages.
“This engagement allows Padua College to extend the interoperability across our entire school business processes as a mesh architecture using Pcschool School Information System as the ‘true source of data’ to deliver educational outcomes appropriate to the different stakeholders truly differing requirements,” Mr Yeates said.
Pcschool not only offers powerful student and family management and curriculum capabilities, but also full financials, point of sale, library and foundation.
These are all seamlessly connected through one common SQL database, providing efficient timely access to a rock solid platform, without limitation.
For more information visit the Pcschool website: www.pcschool.net or contact us for a demonstration of our software today. Phone: 07 4939 5995
Email: info@pcschool.net