SIMS SOLUS 2.0 - Education ICT Service

Quick Reference Sheet
SIMS SOLUS 2.0
Introduction
In early 2004, Capita Education Services began releasing upgrades
and patches online by means of the SIMS Online Update Service
(SOLUS). This has simplified the upgrade and patching process
removing the requirement for CDs and ensuring updates can be
applied as soon as they are available.
The SOLUS 2.0 Wizard simplifies the process further. It works in
conjunction with CES Schools Manager used by LAs and LSUs so
that they can manage the distribution of software to schools. The
LAs/LSUs will be able to ensure that only the relevant updates are
available for each establishment. Schools will receive email
notification of when to run SOLUS. Once an update has been
downloaded and applied by a school, the SOLUS 2.0 Wizard
automatically feeds this information back to the LA/LSU so that
support units are kept up-to-date with what version a school is on.
Before You Start
The SOLUS Wizard can be run on any machine that has the
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 installed, i.e. any SIMS workstation or
any SIMS SQL Server from SIMS .net CP 4.00 onwards.
NOTE: SOLUS is an upgrade tool only and cannot be used to perform
new installations of SIMS.
As with any upgrade, before embarking on a SOLUS upgrade please
ensure that you have:
■ a complete back-up of the SIMS SQL database
■ a complete back-up of the SIMS Document Server
■ a complete back-up of the FMS database (if applicable)
■ read the Release Notes for the upgrade.
Running the SOLUS 2.0 Wizard
1. Your SOLUS contact will receive an email notification from your
local support unit advising you that an upgrade needs to be
performed or a patch applied.
2. Launch the SOLUS Wizard by either of the following two
methods:
■ Select Start | All Programs | SIMS Applications | Update
and Run SOLUS.
■ Within SIMS .net, select Tools | Check for Updates.
3. Select the SOLUS 2.0 option from the web page that is displayed.
NOTE: When SOLUS 1.0 is withdrawn from use, SOLUS 2.0 will
be selected automatically and this web page will no longer be
displayed.
The latest version of the SOLUS 2.0 Wizard will then be installed
and run.
4. The File Download dialog is displayed:
NOTE: The Proxy Server button is only required if you have previously
been unable to carry out SOLUS upgrades. If this is the case, please
refer to the SIMS SOLUS 2.0 User Guide, available from the web page
displayed by clicking the Help button. If you have carried out SOLUS
upgrades successfully in the past, please disregard this button.
The Downloading and Applying Packages screen is then displayed.
5. Click the Run button.
6. A Security Warning may be displayed. Click the Run button.
NOTE: If SOLUS does not identify your machine as a SIMS
workstation you will be prompted for some installation
information, which you should complete as appropriate.
The Welcome screen will be displayed:
9. The packages that need to be applied to your system are listed. Click
the Down button to display further details regarding each package.
Clicking the SIMS Information button will display information
about your system such as what version you are currently running
and the current database information.
7. To view a web page containing the documentation available about
SOLUS 2.0, click the Help button.
8. Enter the SIMS Username and Password of a user who is a
member of the System Manager User Group then click the Login
button.
Click the Close button to exit this screen.
10. If you want the SOLUS 2.0 Wizard to download the packages and
apply them immediately, select the check box. If you prefer to apply
them at a later time, ensure that this check box is not selected. Please
refer to Applying Downloaded Packages overleaf for more
information.
11. Click the Finish button. The packages will then be downloaded and,
if you have selected
the check box,
applied.

Quick Reference Sheet
SIMS SOLUS 2.0
If you have downloaded an upgrade or a patch using SOLUS 2.0 and you now wish to apply the package, this is also carried out using SOLUS 2.0
Wizard. To apply the package:
1. Launch the SOLUS Wizard by either of the following two methods:
■
■
Select Start | All Programs | SIMS Applications | Update and Run SOLUS.
Within SIMS .net, select Tools | Check for Updates.
2. Follow any on-screen instructions until the Welcome page of the SOLUS 2 Wizard is displayed.
3. Enter the SIMS User Name and SIMS Password of a user who is a member of the System Manager’s Group.
4. Ensure the I agree to the Terms and Conditions above check box is selected below the Terms and Conditions of Use panel and click the
Login button.
The system logs you in and displays the packages that need to be applied to your system.
5. Click the Apply Packages Now button to apply the package.
6. Click the Finish button at the end of the process.
The download and applications status is then automatically fed back to your LSU.
NOTE: You must run SIMS .net on any workstation new to SIMS .net before attempting to use Lesson Monitor or Web Integrator on that
workstation.
When you have upgraded your SIMS system, the modules will update the first time you log into one of them following your database upgrade.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
■ This process must be carried out on ALL workstations.
■ This process must be carried out BEFORE running the SIMS .net Data Conversion Utility.
■ It does not require an administrative visit as long as the user has been given adequate permissions for the update to occur.
1. Select Start | Programs | SIMS Applications | SIMS .net (or access an SQL module through Launcher) to open the module.
NOTE: It is recommended that you open SIMS .net via Start | Programs | SIMS Applications | SIMS .net. Accessing SIMS .net via shortcuts
through Windows Explorer or desktop shortcuts will only trigger the upgrade if they have been set up correctly. For more information on
shortcuts, please refer to the Adding a New SIMS .net Shortcut section that follows.
2. The update will then be performed automatically. Once the update has completed, you can use the module as usual.
For technical information regarding updating your workstations, please refer to the SIMS SOLUS Technical Guide which is available from the
SOLUS website.
Adding a New SIMS .net Shortcut
Shortcuts can be created in various ways. SIMS .net shortcuts will only trigger the upgrade if they have been created in a certain way. To check
if your SIMS .net shortcut on the desktop will trigger an upgrade:
1. Right-click on the shortcut and select Properties.
2. On the Shortcut page, check that the following text is entered in the Target field:
"C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net\SIMSLoad.exe" "C:\Program Files\SIMS\SIMS .net\Pulsar.exe"
If all of this text is present, the shortcut will trigger the upgrade. If all of the text is not present, you will need to delete the shortcut and create a new
one:
1. Highlight the shortcut and press the delete key. Confirm that you want to delete
the shortcut.
2. Select Start | Programs | SIMS Applications.
3. Right-click and drag SIMS .net to the desktop.
4. Select Copy Here from the pop-up menu.
Additional Information
Applying Downloaded Packages
Updating the Workstations
The process of running the Wizard directly from the SOLUSChoice website ensure that the
latest version of the Wizard is always deployed. For information detailing any changes or
enhancements that have been made to the Wizard, please visit:
www.capitasolus.co.uk/updates.asp
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any problems or issues whilst using the Wizard, please contact your Local
Support Unit. Information pertaining to any known issues about the Wizard and the latest
documentation can be found at:
www.capitasolus.co.uk/moreinfo.asp
This guide is based on the version of the software (2.0) in use at
the time of publication. For details of changes to the software,
please refer to the associated handbook and online help file.
For further copies of this, or other laminates, please email
publications@capita.co.uk.
For information on available training courses, please contact
Capita Professional Services on 01234 763672
or email profserv@capita.co.uk.
© Capita Business Services Ltd 2006. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, photocopied,
stored on a retrieval system, translated or transmitted without the
express written consent of the publisher.
Capita Education Services, 5 Franklin Court,
Priory Business Park, Stannard Way, Bedford, MK44 3JZ
Tel: 01234 838080 http://sims.capitaes.co.uk