Over the past few years the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) through the Arkansas Public School Computer Network (APSCN) sought ways to improve, upgrade or replace the DOS-based SunGard Pentamation Student and Financial Management Open Series System used by the majority of school districts to input their data on a daily basis. However, due to economic and budget constraints, purchasing a new system has not been financially feasible.
SunGard Pentamation informed APSCN last year that as of July 1, 2003, they would no longer provide updates to the Pentamation Student and Financial Open Series software; however, the system would be maintained for an indefinite period of time.
In recent months, SunGard Pentamation began the process of converting all the Financial and Student Open Series Software to a system they are calling the Financial and Student PLUS system. This system has a “windows” type look, incorporates drop down menus, and reduces the number of screens required to complete a procedure. All business processes remain the same; therefore, the learning curve should be very low. Two Arkansas school districts have tested several modules within the Financial Plus software and are enthusiastic about how easy it is to navigate through the menus and screens.
APSCN has contracted with SunGard Pentamation to acquire this system for Arkansas school districts. Since this is considered an “update” to the existing system the cost is relatively inexpensive. APSCN will work with SunGard Pentamation, the Department of Information Services (DIS), and school districts to implement the system into pilot schools for full testing before disseminating it to the public school districts in groups of 100 or fewer districts at a time. The Financial Plus system will be available first, followed closely with the Student Plus system.
Any district currently considered to be a Non-Pentamation district may at this time choose to convert to the new Student and Financial Plus system at no cost to the district. If you have questions, please call the contact person listed on this memo.