PREREQUISITES
And here there's some critical information you have to know!
- MIS Sync must be installed on the same PC or server as the SIMS open VPN connector.
- The MIS credentials required below must be the 3rd Party Login detail. These are the only login that will work - you cannot use any other SIMS credentials. If you do not have them please follow the instructions to set up the SIMS Service Account before proceeding.
Apps on the Third Party Connector can not use users in the name@hosted-sims.co.uk format. To be able to log on a local user must be created within the SIMS database.
Please note - Whilst it is possible to use a staff login or a shared account to enable data access by multiple third party products, it is very unlikely that this would meet the expectations of the school under GDPR and as such can't be recommended by ESS.
Instructions to set up as SIMS Service Account
To create a local user:
1. Log into Hosted or Connected SIMS in the normal way with a user who can access 'Focus > System Management > Manage Users'
2. Navigate to 'Focus > System Management > Manage Users' and select 'New'
3. Enter a suitable one word username in the 'Surname' box and click Continue
4. Enter at least 1 letter in the 'Legal Forename' name box
5. Add any required groups (the app vender should advise what is needed)
6. Take note of the username and password then press 'Save'
7. Use the username and password to log into the local copy of SIMS on the Third Party Connector, this will allow you to select a permanent password.
You should now be able to use this user to be able to log into MIS Sync
Setup of MIS Sync
- Download and install MIS Sync in the same location as the open VPN connector.
(See How to get the latest version of MIS Sync to find the latest version of the software). - Enter a ParentPay Username.
- Enter a ParentPay Password.
- Enter the school's Organisation ID in the format: school-x-xxxxxx
(This can be found on your ParentPay Manager Application home page in the top right corner). - Select SIMS in the drop-down box.
. - Once logged in navigate to Tools>Settings>SIMS
- Enter the MIS username using the 3rd party login details provided by ESS
- Enter the MIS password using the 3rd party login details provided by ESS
- Select the yellow folder icon to populate the SIMS location field
(The default location is C:\Program Files (x86)\SIMS\SIMS .net though this may vary) - Select Test these Settings to verify the credential and location
If a login error is displayed, confirm the login credentials are correct with ESS and that the location entered is correct - remember this must be the local path on the server or PC that has the open VPN connector installed. - Select Save.