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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Iris HR Software

    Score8.1 out of 10
    N/AIris HR Software (formerly Octopus HR, acquired by Iris Software Group April 2016) is an HR suite.

    $1.50

    per month per user

    Skyward Student Management Suite

    Score8.6 out of 10
    N/ASkyward, headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, offers the Skyward Student Management System, a k-12 student information system which provides classroom tools (e.g. gradebook, attendance tracking, etc), Family Engagement tools with portal, as well as admin and student services task management.N/A
    Pricing
    Iris HR SoftwareSkyward Student Management Suite
    Editions & Modules
    Standard
    $1.50
    per month per user
    Plus
    $2
    per month per user
    Pro
    $3.50
    per month per user
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Iris HR SoftwareSkyward Student Management Suite
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional DetailsPrices are in British Pounds.—
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Iris HR SoftwareSkyward Student Management Suite
    Considered Both Products
    IRIS Software Group
    No answer on this topic
    Skyward
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    83%
    Would buy again
    5 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    83%
    Happy with the feature set
    5 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Features
    Iris HR SoftwareSkyward Student Management Suite
    Human Resource Management
    Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    8.6
    2 Ratings
    5% above category average
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    -
    Ratings
    Employee demographic data9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Employment history8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Job profiles and administration10.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Organizational charting8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Organization and location management8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payroll Management
    Comparison of Payroll Management features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    7.6
    2 Ratings
    7% below category average
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    -
    Ratings
    Pay calculation8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Support for external payroll vendors7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Off-cycle/On-Demand payment8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Benefit plan administration8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Direct deposit files7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Salary revision and increment management8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Reimbursement management7.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Leave and Attendance Management
    Comparison of Leave and Attendance Management features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    8.3
    2 Ratings
    1% above category average
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    -
    Ratings
    Approval workflow9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Balance details8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Annual carry-forward and encashment8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Employee Self Service
    Comparison of Employee Self Service features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    8.2
    2 Ratings
    1% below category average
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    -
    Ratings
    View and generate pay and benefit information9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Update personal information9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    View company policy documentation8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Employee recognition8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    View job history7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Asset Management
    Comparison of Asset Management features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    7.0
    1 Ratings
    14% below category average
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    -
    Ratings
    Tracking of all physical assets7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    HR Reporting
    Comparison of HR Reporting features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    7.3
    2 Ratings
    4% below category average
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    -
    Ratings
    Report builder9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Pre-built reports7.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Ability to combine HR data with external data6.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Onboarding
    Comparison of Onboarding features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    8.5
    2 Ratings
    5% above category average
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    -
    Ratings
    New hire portal8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Manager tracking tools9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Performance and Goals
    Comparison of Performance and Goals features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    8.3
    2 Ratings
    2% above category average
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    -
    Ratings
    Corporate goal setting9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Individual goal setting9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Line-of sight-visibility7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Performance tracking8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Performance Management
    Comparison of Performance Management features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    8.4
    2 Ratings
    5% above category average
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    -
    Ratings
    Performance plans8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Performance improvement plans9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Review status tracking8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Review reminders9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Multiple review frequency8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Succession Planning
    Comparison of Succession Planning features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    8.0
    2 Ratings
    1% above category average
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    -
    Ratings
    Create succession plans/pools8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Candidate ranking8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Candidate search8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Candidate development8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Recruiting / ATS
    Comparison of Recruiting / ATS features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    7.8
    2 Ratings
    2% below category average
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    -
    Ratings
    Job Requisition Management8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Company Website Posting7.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Duplicate Candidate Prevention8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Applicant Tracking8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Notifications and Alerts8.02 Ratings00 Ratings
    Student and Faculty Administration
    Comparison of Student and Faculty Administration features of Iris HR Software and Skyward Student Management Suite
    Feature
    Iris HR Software
    -
    Ratings
    Skyward Student Management Suite
    6.9
    4 Ratings
    19% below category average
    Integrations with 3rd-Party Education Technology00 Ratings5.92 Ratings
    District Communications, such as messaging and alerting00 Ratings7.03 Ratings
    Roster Management00 Ratings8.34 Ratings
    Platform Customization00 Ratings3.12 Ratings
    Teacher Self-Service00 Ratings6.33 Ratings
    Student Data Security00 Ratings8.74 Ratings
    Community Support00 Ratings3.01 Ratings
    Class Scheduling00 Ratings9.02 Ratings
    State and National-level Reporting00 Ratings8.52 Ratings
    Teacher and Parent Mobile Application00 Ratings9.52 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Iris HR SoftwareSkyward Student Management Suite
    Small Businesses
    UZIO
    Score9.4 out of 10
    No answers on this topic
    Medium-sized Companies
    Zoho People
    Score8.6 out of 10
    Schoolmint Hero
    Score9.7 out of 10
    Enterprises
    PeopleStrong
    Score10 out of 10
    Schoolmint Hero
    Score9.7 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Iris HR SoftwareSkyward Student Management Suite
    Likelihood to Recommend
    8.0
    (3 ratings)
    8.6
    (17 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    9.0
    (2 ratings)
    Usability
    8.0
    (1 ratings)
    7.0
    (2 ratings)
    Support Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    6.0
    (2 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Iris HR SoftwareSkyward Student Management Suite
    Likelihood to Recommend
    IRIS Software Group
    Our staff is kept updated with more company policies and we are able to track their holiday and sick days much better. The help and support of their contact support are super good. They reply super fast and are very kind. Also, their sales department isn't pushy like other services they are very knowledgeable and kind.
    Incentivized
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    Skyward
    There is nothing specific that I would say sets it apart from any other LMS, but once you are used to the user interface and various features, it does everything that is needed and integrates well enough with other software to function. Probably isn't necessary in a smaller setting, but for multiple building districts, it is certainly robust enough to handle data collection and storage.
    Incentivized
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    Pros
    IRIS Software Group
    • It's simple. I really appreciate that the layout of Octopus HR isn't something I have to question. I know where to look for something because it's clearly labeled, that's more than I can say for a lot of other HR systems I've seen.
    • Support. If I ever have a question about setting something up, or if something goes wrong, they're always on top of it. For instance, I had no idea how to set up employee photos on our accounts. I tweeted them and they responded right away, I'm based in LA and they're a UK company, I was impressed that they were able to respond right away. They make sure their customers are taken care of.
    • Great self guide. If there's ever an ordinary question I need answered their "Octopus Guide" is very thorough and walks you through everything.
    Incentivized
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    Skyward
    • Flexibility. This multitude of fields available makes it easy to capture data the way we want or need to.
    • Quick response to trouble tickets. The company strives to reach out to the customer within an hour and start the process of resolution.
    • User focused. Improvements to the system always look at how the end user experience can be enhanced.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    IRIS Software Group
    • initial scope/setup support (outside of template)
    • Contacting support can be difficult
    • case sensitive username for end users (email addresses have to match exactly)
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Skyward
    • Confusion when it comes to student grades- sometimes there are two different letter grades for a student for what is posted as "TR1" and "PR1." How does a teacher know which of these grades will be posted to a student's report card? How does a teacher know what the student's actual grade is for a particular course?
    • Switching between the Educator Access Plus and Student Management tabs can be complicated, especially for those new to the system. Why can't everything be in one place?
    • I recognize that Skyward logs out after a certain period of inactivity to preserve privacy of users, but is there a way to change those settings so that Skyward does not log out as frequently? It is difficult to keep having to log back in completely again.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    IRIS Software Group
    Employees don't complain about it! If anything they've commented on how nice of a tool it is to have.
    Incentivized
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    Skyward
    It is the system I am most comfortable with, so having to learn a new system outweighs any problems I have with Skyward.
    Incentivized
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    Usability
    IRIS Software Group
    Iris HR Software is a stable and fairly intuitive product which has had a positive impact on our organisation. We have had some support issues but generally feel we've had a positive experience and our personnel and finance teams have benefitted from this process structure. Whilst contacting the correct Iris HR Software support channel has been our biggest issue once we have established contact our tickets have been raised and resolved promptly.
    Incentivized
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    Skyward
    It takes some time to get used to navigating the features and layers, but once you know your way around it, it's pretty good.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    IRIS Software Group
    No answers on this topic
    Skyward
    Overall great job, issues were taken care of. People in support do care.
    Incentivized
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    Implementation Rating
    IRIS Software Group
    No answers on this topic
    Skyward
    Yes, I was part of the implementation team.
    Incentivized
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    Alternatives Considered
    IRIS Software Group
    I would say the pricing is good but it could be better. Also, the customer service is amazing they do such a great job and you can tell they know what they are doing. Visually it is very easy to use and looks very professional. It is a quick set up and they do their best to give you what you want and need.
    Incentivized
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    Skyward
    I, personally, have not used other Student Management Systems, but having used Skyward, I do not necessarily feel any overwhelming desire to seek out the competitive software programs. Skyward does what it says it will and provides my school district with an easy and organized way to share and access all of the relevant student and family information we need. It serves it's purpose well and meets our needs.
    Incentivized
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    Return on Investment
    IRIS Software Group
    • Our staff is super happy with the service
    • Huge improvement
    • Looks quite professional
    Incentivized
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    Skyward
    • Overall, Skyward has had a positive impact. One way is the student information that is shared and available to see. If I need to know something about a student’s academic history, Skyward has it.
    • Another way it has impacted our district is the way it has streamlined all of our payroll information. I can see check histories, different parts of my salary, and the year-end totals all in one place.
    • Skyward has also made a big impact on our district by making it easier to communicate with parents. All the parents’ contact information is available and email is even included in the program.
    Incentivized
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