If your transportation department is looking into new bus routing software, don't go it alone! You want to get your IT department involved as well.
Modern bus routing software isn't simply a standalone app which you install on individual computers. It's a complicated system that will connect into other software packages, such as your student database. Depending on the options you select, the software may also involve long-distance communications such as gathering information from onboard GPS systems.
IT needs to be involved, to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Why IT Needs To Be Part Of Your Transportation Software Purchase
1 - Ensuring compatibility
Any modern bus software will need to be tied into other databases, such as your Student Information System and bus maintenance records. A good software provider can assist with data conversion between formats, which reduces the difficulty. However, IT will still want to oversee the process, while providing information about your own data systems to ensure the conversion goes smoothly.
2 - Local hosting or cloud-based?
One big decision IT will need to make is whether the software will be installed directly onto your local network, or if it will be hosted in the cloud. Both have their advantages: Local hosting gives you more direct control over the software, but requires more effort to support. Cloud-hosted is easier, but requires a competent third party host. IT should be the group making that call.
3 - Protecting data security
Schools are now being regularly targeted by hacking attacks and ransomware, with hundreds of attacks in the last decade. This is a serious problem, threatening your student's privacy and potentially your computer network. Your IT department must be ready to protect your new systems from outside intrusion. Getting them involved early gives them enough time to study the new systems and create workable security solutions.
4 - Ensuring the network is ready
Depending on the type of software being installed and how many add-ons it will have, such as remote connections to buses, your existing IT infrastructure might not be up to the task. IT must know the software's requirements before purchasing, so they can advise you on whether any other tech upgrades will be necessary for deployment.
BusBoss tries to make it as easy as possible to migrate to our systems, with data conversion included in the purchase, along with robust lifelong tech support. Feel free to contact us to learn more about the technical requirements of BusBoss Professional and our other products.
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PRESIDENT
Sonia has been involved with BusBoss since the late 1990’s, and has personally overseen many projects for various customers ranging from large urban and suburban districts to smaller rural school districts from all over the country.