SOFTWARE vs ON-LINE SOLUTIONS
Most of our products are solely available on-line. In the case of PASS, however, we are frequently asked whether it is better to opt for a software or web-based solution.
There are a number of important underlying considerations. Both solutions are underpinned by, and usually require, our additional report writing services:
Online
Advantages:
* ease of use
* less expensive
* quick, simple - no complex installation
* secure & confidential
* works on all platforms including MACs
Disadvantages:
* Very rare connection problems
* Does not provide individual profile graphs (but these can easily be extracted from at-risk group profiles - see "How Tos" for more info...)Software
Advantages:
* Immediate individual profile data available
* Single user software ideal for small scale one-on-one assessments
Disadvantages:
* Server installation headaches - can be time consuming
* Permission settings and server capacity can sometimes lead to data transfer problems
* Most costly solution
* Developed prior to Windows Server 2003
* Not MAC compatibleMany of our clients find a hybrid solution of annual on-line whole school assessment plus a single user software package (for closer, more regular monitoring of their most at-risk students) to offer the "best of both worlds"!
W3 Insights Assessment Instruments are widely used in more than 100 Local Authorities of England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales.
It is estimated that the PASS system alone has already made a difference to the lives of over 1,500,000 young people!
