This is the kind of mail a Marketing guy/chick gets turned on by.

I work closely with the guys at Umoya Networks. They're great guys: they're straight arrows, they're bright and they're fearless. Today, Peter, the CEO, forwards me an email. The Director of Marketing at a school in Grahamstown is looking for some database driven software to take care of a diverse range of needs. She mails a bunch of colleagues (32 of them - I counted) across the country to ask if anyone has a recommendation.

"...We are looking at trying to standardise our data bases, including those used for admissions, marketing, Old Boys, archives, etc, etc ! I know from past experience that there is never one system that does it all and there are so many out there including Pencil Box, EduAdmin, DevMann, etc. If anyone had been through this process recently and has found a system that suits them and works (or doesn't!), I would be really interested to hear from you.

Many thanks in advance,..."

The headmaster of a school in Worcester who has recently adopted the staffroom school admin software suite from Umoya hits reply to all (never have I liked that feature until now!) and proceeds to say this:

"Hi all

We recently signed up with Staffroom from Umoya. This is a fabulous product and has revolutionized our administration, assessment admin, reports and so on. It is highly customizable, locally designed and is a high quality product. Training is given to your staff and the customer service is phenomenal. They will also come visit your school for a demo should you require it.

I highly recommend the product and the company. You can take a look at the following website for further info : http://www.mystaffroom.net

Feel free to contact me should you require further info, otherwise call Umoya on 021 702 4848

Kind regards..."

Umoya should be paying this guy! But of course that would ruin the impact.

You know you're getting something right when a customer refers to your product as "fabulous" and "high quality", claims it has "revolutionised" their lives, calls your customer service "phenomenal" and recommends your company highly.

well done Umoya - proud of you guys.

Software, Sysdev, Telecoms, Telecoms, Web2.0

Comments

[DaveG]

Hi Greg,
Thanks for the comment.
There are good few options out there, but none that we've reviewed that are as easy to use and are web-based, allowing teachers working from home in the evenings to access the system. Staffroom has had a HUGE amount of input, especially in its infancy, from educators, which we believe gives it an edge.
All the best with maintaining those networks - I'm sure it has its fair share of challenges!
rgds,
Dave

[Greg Smith]

I am a Network Technician for a number of school in Johannesburg. So fat the best and most powerful systems that the school use are Eduadmin or Pencilbox, both incorporates intergeneration with Lurits the information collection from the South African government. Public and Private schools will have to conform with Lurits, manually or electronically before the end of the year.