When selecting an SIS for your institute, there are a few key pointers to keep in mind

How do you organize your documents? Do you still use files and folders? Paper-based mechanisms are outdated ways of maintaining crucial information in a physical format. However, you might have encountered a scenario wherein you could not find the piece of paper that you had enclosed within the folder. 

The problem becomes more severe for educational institutes that still rely on outdated methods of collecting and storing information. For instance, they might use spreadsheets or excel sheets, but it is inefficient to handle the fast-evolving needs of the institute. Hence, advanced tools such as a student information system is a perfect software that helps educational institutes to streamline student data effortlessly. 

What is Student Information System? 

A student information system is an application or software that enables institutes to handle student data online; it helps to compile all crucial information related to the academic cycle, including admission, examination, class activities, etc. Besides, the tool easily collates the data within a single space and allows access to authorized users anywhere and anytime. 

Therefore, whenever the admin needs to send a file to a departmental head, they don’t need to rush and shuffle through collections of files or folders. However, with so many ed-tech companies launching various tools, it is difficult to choose the right one. So, you must look at some key pointers while selecting an SIS. 

Key Pointers to Remember While Selecting Student Information System? 

1. Cloud-hosted Feature 

Cloud hosting refers to a shared-resource approach wherein individuals or organizations can use the resources of multiple servers. Therefore, when you go for cloud-enabled SIS, it enables you to manage costs and elevate the work efficiency of basic to advanced administrative activities. 

Besides, institutes can store and manage data on educational activities; the tool helps to save time and effort by optimizing resources. However, one of the best advantages of a cloud-enabled system is customization and personalization abilities. 

2. Student Data Maintenance 

There is no point in integrating SIS if it fails to provide an extensive platform for teachers and admin to store student-related data effectively. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the tool's effectiveness depends on in-built native reporting and unified data core features. As a result, stakeholders can easily incorporate student activity records, which also auto-update as per academic performance. 

On the other hand, the software demonstrates data in dashboards, allowing teachers and parents to keep track of student learning outcomes and ongoing progress. In addition, they can also check respective records of fees, exam schedules, grades, etc. 

3. Admission Management 

The enrollment process is one of the primary procedures of educational institutions; hence they need a well-thought-out strategy accentuated by the student information system. Besides, the system helps automate multiple admission processes within a single platform. So you don’t need to incorporate different apps for separate formalities like registration or application. 

Additionally, institutes do not need to depend on manual processes as the system streamlines the complete admission process. Also, you can keep track of the number of ongoing admissions and pending applications and students can track their application status remotely. The system sends automated notification alerts to respective students, informing them about admission-related details. 

4. Attendance Management 

Attendance maintenance is a time-consuming task that requires teachers to record the number of absents and presents carefully. And at the end of every month, they need to create an attendance report and align it with academic progress. However, SIS helps to reduce manual work because it comes with an attendance management feature. 

The feature enables teachers to manage students' attendance conveniently without any paperwork. Moreover, the tool sends automated alerts and notifications to parents upon noting repeated absenteeism, helping to address at-risk students. 

5. Develop and Execute Assessments 

You must have noted that institutes have changed their approach towards assessments; they conduct and combine hybrid examinations, including traditional in-person and online exams. In addition, with the help of ERP solutions and the SIS, institutes can develop different kinds of tests and implement them remotely. 

For example, they can use the platform to create unit tests, MCQs, quizzes, etc.; teachers don’t have to manually prepare questionnaires as they can rely on digitized ones. Besides, the automatic checking system helps to check the answers and grade them quickly. 

In Conclusion, 

Choosing the perfect tool can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for; therefore, when selecting an SIS, ensure to keep a checklist of all its necessary features. For instance, the system must have mechanisms that automate all institutional activities, including fee management, admission management, student record maintenance, etc.