Helios K-12 Management, Compliance, and Reporting Helios K-12 Management, Compliance, and Reporting
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Helios FAQs

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 It will be easier to adopt Helios now before your current system becomes outdated, which will ensure peace of mind.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 would be installed on your district’s server and network just like other applications. If your district does not have a server, you can opt to buy one and use it for Helios and other purposes. If you wish, we can host the program for you on secure servers with 128-bit SSL encryption to ensure maximum security and data confidentiality. Helios would not have any control of your district's data, except proprietary database structures and programs.

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.