Update from Microsoft Access to ISP Cloud – ESL

Are you still working working with a Microsoft Access database for ESL schools? Have you taken into consideration switching to a more advanced software to manage your international students? Are you looking yet for a new software to sever this purpose? Seems like ISP Cloud would be ideal for you.

WHAT WILL YOU GET IF YOU SWITCH TO ESL ISP CLOUD?

Are you wondering what will you get if you switch to ISP Cloud? The ISP Cloud version for ESL Schools will provide you the following items that may be of interest to you:

General Overview

1. The system is cloud based, with a zero footprint user interface. By this, we mean there are no requirements to install any proprietary software in order to use ISP Cloud.
2. Access ISP Cloud from any device connected to the internet. We’re talking about a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
3. The device could be running Windows, MAC, Apple iOS or Google Android operating systems.
4. ISP Cloud has a mobile-responsive design easy to use.
5. ISP Cloud does not require your school to store its data on its own servers. Rather, hosting will be in a Canadian cloud. To be specific, your data is hosted in Toronto, Ontario.
6. Your data is backed up automatically and, if needed, information can be restored by an authorized administrative user.

Portals

7. ISP Cloud is a multi-user system. This will enable you to have far more concurrent users than you currently have. There are portals for your teachers, your agents, your host families and your students. These portals support true data input.
8. The use of portals results in a reduced workload on your part. Why? Because you no longer need to send commission reports to agents. The agents are able to retrieve their commission information directly from the agent portal. The ISP Cloud’s agent portal enables agents to update their contact information. They can make changes to their address, phone number and email address. Or they can update the student counsellor contact information within their agencies.
9. Homestay families have a portal that will enable them to send an online application. They can add descriptions of their home, student rooms and family members living in their home.
10. The student portal allows students to submit their applications online. Then they can retrieve receipts, proof of registration, LOAs, statements of account, etc.

ONLINE STUDENT APPLICATION FORM & APPLICATION PROCESSING

11. There is an Admin Portal for student and teacher management as well as a Teacher Portal for Attendance Tracking.
    • The Admin Portal allows authorized users to perform the following functions via an Internet connection:
      • Manage student data, send invoices, send letters, view reports.
      • Setting up accounts for teachers. Each teacher will have unique sign-up / login credentials.
      • Activate/Deactivate teacher accounts
      • Create courses
      • Create the class schedule in a session/term
      • Assign teachers or supply teachers to class

1. • The Teacher Portal for Attendance Tracking allows authorized users to perform the following functions via an Internet connection:
     • Mark student attendance
     • Add notes for students
     • Input their students’ attendance on a daily, weekly or monthly basis
     • Generate weekly or monthly reports to view the students’ attendance

TEACHER PORTAL

Access And Data Management

12. While you are at the airport or if you are working from home, you can access ISP Cloud. Log into the portal from a tablet or a smartphone. Then, when you get back to the office, you will simply pick up from where you left off. The access will be seamless access regardless of the device that you are using.
13. ISP Cloud supports multiple customizable student online application forms with the following features:

• Unique sign-up/login credentials for each student or student’s agent
• Worldwide access over an Internet connection
• Enable/Disable email notifications for newly received student applications
• Application form review and processing of the submitted applications

14. ISP Cloud allows you to manage the entire student life-cycle at your school. For example, you can:

• Capture and manage detailed student information
• Keep track of all your students’ fees/payments, registrations, academics
• View, update the data about their agents or homestay families
• Track information about students’ immigration/medical data and pre-arrival/travel data
• Upload and download all students’ documents located in one place
• Review communication with students, their teachers, agents, families, sponsors and/or host families

15. ISP Cloud is as easy to use as the ISP Database but it does not require you to have Microsoft Access or Microsoft Word.
16. We have simplified navigation from one form to the next. For example, if you are on the student form and you wish to view the student’s agent you can do so with a click.

ADMIN PORTAL

17. There are shortcuts for performing common tasks. Such shortcuts exist in Letters for preparing and sending emails. Others are available in Reports to help generating PDF files. As a matter of fact, the Queries have a similar shortcut to make the selection of one or more countries easier.
18. In ISP Cloud authorized users can generate LOAs without needing Microsoft Word. The LOAs become PDF attachments upon sending the letter. They have the same look and feel as the Letter of Acceptance template recommended by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada): http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/acclet-e.pdf.
19. Using ISP Cloud you can view pictures of students. Additionally you can also view photos of homestay hosts, their homes, their family, the students’ rooms, etc.
20. With ISP Cloud, don’t concern yourself about the version of Microsoft Access you need to use. Don’t worry about the version of Microsoft Word either. As shown above, ISP Cloud is not using Access or Word.
21. ISP Cloud makes extensive use of plug-ins, through Application Program Interfaces (“APIs”). For example, agents or students may want to know the distance, travel time and directions between your school and the homestay family home. An API such as one for Google Maps can display that information, including public transit directions.
22. The ISP Database got started in 1997. It was a result of a collaborative partnership between an International Education institution and Paul Robinson’s company, Robinson & Robinson Inc. As of November 2015, ISP Educational Solutions supports both the ISP Database and ISP Cloud.