SIMS - Extracting Data (Admin) – Sisra Observe Help Centre

If you're using SIMS, you can download the following report definition files, which can help extract the data you need to import into Sisra Observe.

Staff Data
Class Context Data (including the default columns, Team, Class and Year Group)
Class Context Data plus Pupil Premium & SEN (includes default columns listed above, as well as two suggest custom columns)

To download a zip file containing these report definitions, scroll to the attachments at the bottom of this article or CLICK HERE.

We've also included information on running these files below. However, please note that this was written by one of our schools and the Customer Support team have limited experience with Management Information Systems. If you do have any issues extracting your data, we recommend contacting the MIS Support Team directly.

1 / SIMS - Importing the Staff Data Report Definition file

First, extract the report definition files from the zip file into a folder on your computer, and open SIMS.net.

Then, click Reports > Import.

The Import report(s) box will open, where you can click ‘Open’, browse to the folder where your report definition files were saved and double click the one you would like to run. During this example, we have selected the 'SISRA Observe Staff Data.RptDef' file, but the process is similar for each.

Once selected, the status of the report selected will show 'Pending...'.

Place a tick in the box next to this and click ‘Import’. The status will change to red ‘Imported’ and you can close the window by clicking ‘Close’.

The report should now have successfully been imported into your SIMS system.

2 / Adding Additional Columns (if required)

The Staff Report Definition provided has the essential information regarding your staff – ID, first name, surname, initials and subject(s). You are able to add your own customised information about your staff to be used as filters in the reports. For example, you could add role, pay scale, employment start date, etc. Similarly, if you are extracting Class Context Data, you may want to add custom information about your classes, such as number of students etc.

In order for fields such as pay scale or employment start date to be available for inclusion, you will need Personnel access in SIMS. If you do not have this, you will need to speak to your SIMS administrator to request the relevant level of access, or ask someone who already has it to add the field to and run the report.

First, open SIMS.net, and click Reports > Design Report.

Then, select ‘Open an Existing Report’.

On the left, click the + icon next to Focus and click ‘Staff’ (or whichever Focus contains the fields you need). Scroll down the list of reports on the right, select your report to edit, such as ‘SISRA Observe Staff Data Export’ and click ‘OK’. This will take you to the report and allow you to customise the contents.

On the left, click ‘Next’ and the 'Select Fields' page will be displayed. Here you can choose to add or remove information to/from the report.

To add a new field to the report, select this on the left and click the green right-pointing arrow. To remove a field, select this on the right and click the green left-pointing arrow.

For example, to add ‘Role’ to the Staff Export, click on the + icon next to ‘CES Third Party Fields’ to expand the selection, then click ‘Role’. Then, click the button with the green arrow pointing to the right to add this data to the report

Role should now appear in the Report List, and you can click ‘Finish’. When you now run the report, this should include role alongside the other data.

3 / Running the Report

To run the report, open SIMS.net, click Reports > Run Report.
On the left, click the + icon next to ‘Focus’ and click ‘Staff’ (or whichever Focus contains the fields you need). Scroll down the list of reports and select the report you wish to run.