Once again, Bromcom hosted a full day of presentations and discussion at the iconic Shard in London, bringing together Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) and Local Authorities (LAs) to share experiences, explore innovations, and discuss the future of MIS.
Morning: Insight for MATs
The morning sessions were tailored for MAT leaders, with engaging presentations from Excalibur Academies Trust and the Harris Federation.
We heard more about Bromcom’s growing partnership with SCOMIS and the launch of their new Centre of Excellence Programme, aimed at highlighting and supporting best practice in MIS deployment.
Afternoon: Local Authorities in Focus
The afternoon was designed for Local Authorities, with updates and reflections from Coventry City Council, two years into their borough-wide Bromcom roll-out. It was refreshing to hear such open and honest reflections about what went well, and what could have gone better.
Credit to Bromcom for allowing their partners to speak freely; the audience certainly appreciated the candour.
Wrexham Council also shared their journey so far, offering useful insights into the practicalities and challenges of implementing a new MIS at scale.
The bigger picture: MIS in the ERP Landscape
Chris Kirk from CJK Associates delivered a thought-provoking session on shared finance services and wider ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems in education.
He explained how MIS platforms, like Bromcom, are a vital part of the broader ERP ecosystem for MATs and LAs—sitting alongside HR, finance, procurement, and supply chain systems.
With Chris’s kind permission, we were able to view and later share several of his insightful slides that placed MIS clearly within this wider strategic context.
Breakouts, Demos and a Timetabling Comedy Double Act
Post-lunch, we attended the MAT breakout sessions, which offered deeper dives into MAT HR and Finance systems. The HR module included performance management tools, and we were told that end-to-end recruitment functionality will be launching in December.
Following the launch of W Timetable last year, this year’s session featured a live demonstration. In a fun and brave twist, Richard Clutterbuck (Bromcom) took on the challenge of building a complete timetable in 30 minutes during the lunch break—later presenting it alongside Ian Boswell (Harris Federation) in an unexpectedly entertaining double act.
A comedic take on timetabling was not something we expected, but it was warmly received!
Inventry: Clarifying Integration Costs
The event also offered the opportunity to speak with representatives from Inventry, who managed the event’s booking system.
Given recent speculation about their integration fees for schools switching MIS providers, it was helpful to clarify that data migration costs are fixed at £150 per school, or free for schools on their subscription package.
This is considerably lower than some figures we had previously heard, and it was useful to receive clear confirmation.
Final Thoughts
Both the MAT and LA sessions were well-attended, and the day concluded in style with drinks and networking in the Shangri-La Sky Lounge.
The panoramic views of London, particularly during the early evening rush hour on one of the hottest days of the year made for a memorable finish to an informative and engaging event.
