Applying the SIMS Summer 2025 Release (7.224)

Please note that you will need to be on version 7.224 of SIMS to work on the census return, However, and for the first time ParentPay (the makers of SIMS) have made it a condition that your copy of SIMS is linked to their servers in the cloud before this upgrade can be released to your school.

Once linked to ParentPay’s servers, information will flow freely to and from your SIMS system and you can start to use SIMS Next Generation software along with your current version of SIMS.

Instructions on how to link your system to the ParentPay cloud can be found here. This involves installing and configuring software on your school’s SIMS server, identifying a SIMS user in school to act as system manager and ensuring that the data starts to flow. Please pass these on to your school technician - once the link is made we will be able to release the new version of SIMS for application in your school.

Secondary Schools

  • all should now have the update applied

Schools subscribing to the OSMIS remote update service

  • we have carried out the works required to link your SIMS system to the cloud and will be in touch presently to make arrangements to grant access to SIMS Next Generation. We will be applying the SIMS upgrade to the required version over the weekend of 6/7th September when you will be able to start to work on the autumn census

All other schools will need to liaise with their usual technical support provider to ensure that the preconditions for the summer release are in place on the school’s SIMS server, specifically

  • that SIMS Services Manager is correctly installed and configured

  • that the Data Exchange software is successfully installed and active

  • that data has successfully exchanged between you school’s SIMS system and the ParentPay cloud

Once the data is flowing, ParentPay will allow us to release the update for application in your school as usual

Whilst the installation and configuration of the data transfer mechanism is relatively straightforward we are able to offer a service to carry out the works for £225 per school. In order to carry out the works we will need:

  • The name and contact details of the school’s technician

  • Them to provide access to the SIMS server (TeamViewer running and logged in as an administrator)

  • An account in SIMS with System Manager permissions

  • The name of which staff member in SIMS is to act as the initial SIMS ID administrator for the online system

If you would like us to carry out the works on your behalf please complete the form here