Become a PMC People beta school
PMC People is nearly ready for schools, and we want to get it right with a school before we sell it. We’re looking for a beta school to use it, tell us what works and what doesn’t, and help us fix it. In return, you get a free licence during the beta and a reduced price afterwards.
What your school gets
- A free licence during the beta
- PMC People and the school modules you choose, free for as long as the beta runs, with every update as it comes.
- A reduced price afterwards
- When PMC People is released, your school keeps a reduced price for its licence, as thanks for helping get it there.
- A direct line to the developer
- Problems go straight to the person who fixes them, and fixes reach you as signed updates, often within days.
- A system shaped around you
- Tell us what slows your staff down. Your school’s needs shape what we build and fix first.
- Help getting set up
- We install it with you on your server, and help bring your records across from your current MIS.
- No obligation
- If PMC People isn’t right for your school, you can stop at any time and keep your data: it’s on your own server.
What we ask in return
- Use it in school
- Use PMC People for real work, in the areas you choose. It can run alongside your current MIS while you try it.
- Tell us what goes wrong
- Report problems, confusing screens and missing features as you find them, through our support system.
- Talk to us regularly
- A short feedback call every few weeks with the people who use it, such as your office, data manager or IT staff.
- A testimonial, if it works for you
- If PMC People works well for your school, a short testimonial we can use on our website and with other schools. You see and approve the wording.
Who we’re looking for
- A school in England: primary, secondary, all-through or special. The census and attendance returns follow the DfE’s rules for England.
- IT support who can provide a Linux server or virtual machine, in school or hosted, whether that’s your own IT staff or an IT support company.
- A named contact with the time to try things and give feedback.
- Staff who are willing to try something new and tell us honestly what they think.
Not sure if you fit? Apply anyway, and we’ll talk it through.
How it works
Apply
Tell us about your school below. We reply within a few working days.
Talk
A call to understand your school, what you’d like to try, and how the beta would work for you.
Set up
We install PMC People with you, set up the modules you want, and bring your data across.
Use it and tell us
Your staff use it and tell us what to fix, with regular check-ins.
Release
When PMC People is released, you carry on at your reduced price, and we ask for your testimonial.
Questions about the beta
Is PMC People ready to use with real data?
Yes: it’s built and tested, with encryption, two-step verification, audit logs and tested backups. A beta is about finding the problems that only real use shows. We suggest starting with the areas that matter most to you, alongside your current system, until you’re confident.
Where is our data kept?
On your own server, in school or with a host you choose. We never receive it. Our school MIS pages explain more, and we can send our security overview.
How long does the beta last?
Until PMC People is released. We’ll agree the details with you before you start.
What will it cost after the beta?
Beta schools keep a reduced price for their licence. We’ll agree it with you in writing before the beta ends, so there are no surprises.
What if we want to stop?
You can stop at any time. Your data stays on your server, and we’ll help you export what you need.
Can we see it first?
Yes. The live demo has a fictional school with every module, and a guided tour.