Following on from the recent email from Parent Pay Group highlighting changes to the Microsoft Support for SQL2012 and SQL2014 coming to an end in June 2025. This change only impacts schools who have SIMS on premise.
We have put together the below information which explains what this means for you and your school.
Please see the SIMS 7 Spring 2025 Technical Roadmap on our customer portal here for more information on what is and isn’t supported: https://halo.transforming-learning.co.uk/portal/kb?id=310
What is SQL Server?
Microsoft SQL Server is the database management software used to manage the SIMS Database on the school’s SIMS Server and is required to provide access to the SIMS Database.
How to check your SQL Server Version
If your school has had a new SIMS Server installed or upgraded by School ICT/turn IT on within the past 2 or 3 years, then it’s likely you are already on the last supported version of SQL Server.
You can check your current SQL Server Version from within SIMS.
- Select “Help” from the top SIMS Menu
- Select “System Information”.
- The SQL version will be listed next to “SQL Server Version” and will show
How to upgrade to SQL Server
If you are using SQL Server 2012 or SQL Server 2014, then you will need to book in an ‘SQL Server Migration’. This is a process where a new SQL instance is installed onto the SIMS Server and your SIMS database migrated across onto the new SQL install.
This process will require some small changes to some SIMS workstations with an update to each local Connect.ini file. Third parties will also need updating with the new connection details used to connect to SIMS.
If you wish School ICT to carry out the SQL Server migration for you, our experienced team can do this with minimal downtime. Due to the time this takes this is a chargeable service.
What happens if we do not upgrade SQL Server?
If the school is still running SQL 2012 or SQL 2014 after Summer of 2025, then there is no guarantee that future SIMS upgrades will work with these older versions of SQL Server.
Reach out today to ensure you can secure your spot via my.www.schoolicts.co.uk or helpdesk@schoolicts.co.uk
