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Helios FAQs
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We already have an HR system, how is Helios better than what I am currently
using?
Why should we switch to Helios?
Can our existing data be imported into Helios?
Can my staff use Helios with minimal training?
Can Helios interface with our district's other applications such
as student information or budgeting?
Do you offer support?
What is the pricing of Helios?
How can we pay for Helios?
Where would Helios be installed and is there a third party host
involved? What about security and data confidentiality issues when dealing with
confidential school data?
We already have an HR system, how is Helios better than what I am
currently using?
Helios is a comprehensive web-based K-12 management system with tools for
HR management, credentialing, reporting, NCLB and other information. It helps you
ensure compliance and make decisions that directly benefit your district.
Helios provides a great set of pioneering benefits such as anytime, anywhere access,
ease of use, quick compliance reports, strong security with varying permissions
for different levels of staff, easy step-by-step evaluation wizards, automatic reminders,
and much more... A lot of the old programs districts use today have difficult user
interfaces, have to be installed and updated on each and every computer, are not
accessible from anywhere and moreover do not provide all the functionalities and
benefits Helios provides. For a list of the complete features and what you can do
with Helios, please see the Virtual Tour.
Why should we switch to Helios?
With all its great features, Helios allows you to efficiently manage and
report your HR and budget data. This allows you and your school/district to start
saving tremendous amount of time and cost right away. Not to mention that the benefits
of using Helios range from more effective reporting and compliance to more manageable
and shareable data for your administrators and staff.
Moreover, Helios is geared specifically for K-12 needs. It will be easier to adopt
Helios now before your current system becomes outdated, which will ensure peace
of mind. Helios is also gearing to be compliant with the new CalTIDES teacher system
that the state of California is building for all schools and districts to comply
with. CalTIDES will be mandatory for schools throughout California within the next
few years.
Can our existing data be imported into Helios?
Absolutely. Helios accepts import of data in many formats such as CSV, XML,
and plain text files that all applications support. Also, the Helios team is ready
to help throughout the process of implementing Helios and importing your existing
data into it. In fact, that's the reason many of Helios users are able to start
using Helios without inputting their data all over again.
Can my staff use Helios with minimal training?
Absolutely. Helios has a simple, intuitive interface that anyone with basic
computer skills can adapt to. Because Helios is web-based, there is no need to install
any program on each computer. We also offer free initial onsite training.
Can Helios interface with our district's other applications
such as student information or budgeting?
Yes, Helios interfaces with student information and special education systems
to create a seamless teacher assignment tool. Also, Helios contains SACS funding
and employee pay modules that can be interfaced with business/financial services
for a seamless budgeting tool. It is designed to run on any database server you
use in your district and is highly capable of importing and exporting data from
and to other programs.
Do you offer support?
Yes, we offer you toll-free telephone and email support, software upgrades, and
HR and compliance related guidance as part of our maintenance plans. We even create
customized reports for you anytime as well as constantly add new and updated reports
to the system as requirements change or new requirements crop up.
What is the pricing of Helios?
We try to customize Helios to your district's specific needs so that you get the
most out of the system. Helios is priced reasonably based on your district's
size in number of employees. We would be glad to schedule a presentation at your
district after which we can provide you a quote. Please contact
us and we can proceed.
How can we pay for Helios?
There are many funding sources including general fund that can be used for Helios.
Some suggestions that we can offer are:
- Microsoft K-12 voucher program – we are approved CDE providers and you will get
reimbursed for the cost of Helios
- QEIA funds – Helios helps in QEIA implementation, calculation of Teacher Experience
Index and professional development monitoring
- Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) grant - They are both formula and
competitive that districts receive to implement technology to enhance teaching and
student learning. It requires an approved technology plan -
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/ft/eettfaqs.asp
- Title I – Title I funds can be used for NCLB compliance purposes including supporting
systems that would enable compliance
- Title II, Part A – Teacher Quality; Title VI; Title V, Part A; Teachers As a Priority
(TAP) funds
- Teacher Quality grant -
http://www.cpec.ca.gov/federalprograms/RFP.asp
Where would Helios be installed and is there a third
party host involved? What about security and data confidentiality issues when dealing
with confidential school data?
Helios is now a software as a service solution (SaaS), which means you won't
have to worry about any software, installation, or server maintenance. Our web-based
solution is secured with 128-bit SSL encryption to ensure maximum security and data
confidentiality. Helios Tech maintains your data in strict confidentiality per our
Privacy Policy.
The Helios system itself, even though it is web-based, has built-in password protection
and security to ensure only authorized people can use the system. Administrators
can grant permissions to different levels of staff such as restriction to a location
or read-only or read-write. For example, principals would have access to only their
school site; clerks and technicians might have read-only access.
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