SOFTWARE IN SCHOOLS: MIS
Are you getting the most out of your MIS? D
an Sears, Principal Education Consultant, Bromcom Computers PLC, shares his insights into what schools can do to maximise the potential of their MIS. After 40 years working with schools, Bromcom has seen the role of the MIS evolve dramatically, particularly in the last two decades, as cloud technology has transformed the way schools operate.
Whether you are a single school with 200 students or a MAT with 55 academies, your
MIS has the potential to become your greatest asset – or your biggest pain point. To ensure you find yourself in the former camp, there are several strategic steps you can take from the start.
“The most successful schools are no longer using their MIS simply to store information. They are using it to reduce workload, improve visibility, strengthen communication and drive better outcomes for pupils.”
Research.
No two systems are the same, and choosing a new MIS can be a time consuming, complicated process, so it is vitally important to make sure you know what you need before choosing. This could include school- wide meetings to pinpoint current struggles across the board, or preferred outcomes and solutions the new MIS should provide, such as better parental engagement. It can also be incredibly beneficial to speak with schools already using your shortlisted MIS solutions, to understand their real-world experiences, practical challenges and successful use cases.
Training and staff adoption.
Each school operates differently. Combine that with the vast functionality available in modern cloud MIS solutions and it is quite common for people to master the functionality they use daily, but not expand their knowledge beyond that. Without broader training, staff can become frustrated when processes differ from previous systems, often without realising that alternative and sometimes more efficient workflows already exist. Quite
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often, entire parts of the MIS may not even be accessible depending on a person’s role or access rights, so a short conversation with your MIS lead or MIS support team may open a world of possibilities!
“Without broader training, staff can become frustrated when processes differ from pre- vious systems, often without realising that alternative and sometimes more efficient workflows already exist.”
Reduce multi-system setups where possible.
While there is no harm in running multiple systems alongside your MIS this may not be the most efficient way to manage data, operationally and financially. Third-party systems often need writeback permissions to pull data to/from your MIS, which can come with limitations such as rigid daily sync times that cannot be changed, additional logins, or delays as data travels from one system to another. By consolidating into one system, schools can reduce delays, centralise data securely and potentially redirect valuable budget into other priorities. You will need to decide if your MIS can adequately replace these systems, or if the additional cost is justified because you have greater visibility using both.
Turn insights into action.
While there is no set way to use an MIS, schools that treat their MIS like a strategic tool are more likely to find greater success and satisfaction than schools that use it just as an administrative tool. With modern cloud MIS solutions offering vast functionality and possibilities beyond basic data management, turning insights into action is the natural next step. Through AI-driven insights, live dashboards and progress tracking, your cloud MIS should empower you to identify trends and positively impact students ahead of time. Frequently absent students or students who are dropping in performance should not fall through the cracks; quick intervention can make a huge difference in getting them back on track. Managing data effectively is the first goal, using data effectively to improve outcomes, drive improvement, and enrich children’s lives is the ultimate goal.
The most successful schools are no longer using their MIS simply to store information. They are using it to reduce workload, improve visibility, strengthen communication and drive better outcomes for pupils. The question schools should now be asking is not whether they have an MIS, but whether they are truly maximising its full potential.
June 2026
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