Further education software provider, Compass Computer Consultants (Compass), an Advanced Computer Software company, is to launch ProUnify, a complete enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. According to the company, the system will offer seamless integration of student records, finance, HR and payroll processes and is expected to be released in spring 2015.
ProUnify will be the most complete, fully integrated business system available to the further education (FE) sector, at a time when funding cuts continue to hit colleges hard. The solution will play an essential role in enabling organisations to streamline processes while saving significant money and time.
The best-of-breed system is the latest in a portfolio of solutions, which Compass has specifically developed for colleges in partnership with its customer colleges. It will unify the full student management information system, ProSolution, with Advanced's finance, HR and payroll software, enabling staff to streamline processes, communication and transparency across organisations. As a result, colleges will benefit from significant cost savings and staff time will be freed up to focus on more value-adding activities.
ProUnify will enable staff to take class registers via the student record system. This data is then automatically transferred to the payroll system, which uses the number of class registers they have marked to calculate the number of hours staff members have worked and pays them accordingly. The process saves unnecessary data entry duplication in multiple systems and eliminates inaccuracies. ProUnify will also be designed to be easy to use and will integrate with third party finance, HR and payroll systems.
City of Westminster College has already approached Compass, expressing an interest in trialling a more unified solution in order to improve efficiencies and keep ahead of the curve. The College had identified frustrations around working in technology silos, which created inaccuracies and inefficiencies. For example, staff were spending significant amounts of time moving data around different systems, which did not talk to each other. It had become clear that there was a need for a more intuitive and unified system.
Dr Jim Evans, Assistant Principal Information & Planning, City of Westminster College says: "There is a significant need in the sector for FE software specialists to develop a complete unified ERP system. Compass has shown through its development of high quality solutions over the years that it is uniquely disposed to provide the most effective system.
"The value of the company's unparalleled support for colleges is critical. We are looking forward to working with them and to the launch of ProUnify in 2015."
The product launch will make Compass one of the first FE software suppliers to offer a unified system across key management areas in the sector.
Andy Makeham, Managing Director of Compass, says, "We have developed an excellent relationship with the FE sector in the last 25 years and we understand their needs. ProUnify completes the missing piece in the education technology software puzzle and arrives at a time where colleges are under pressure to work smarter to achieve operational targets due to funding cuts.
"The system will help to substantially reduce data entry time, helping staff to become more efficient and creating better communication and improved cross departmental transparency."
Compass, which was acquired by one of the UK's fastest growing software providers, Advanced Computer Software Group in February 2014, has developed a strong reputation for providing first class solutions and support since it was founded 25 years ago. The business has seen 20% organic growth year on year for the last five years.
Compass's software is used by 341 out of 350 colleges across England, and an increasing number of councils and private training providers.
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