IT Company Increase FE Provision

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Tribal Technology, an IT company that provides service to 40% of the FE sector, has announced that it has now completed its takeover of Strategic Information Technology Services (SITS) Limited.

SITS, the leading supplier of student and course management software to the Scottish higher and further education sector, was acquired by Tribal Technology in October 2004, for the sum of £14million. Now being re-branded as Tribal Technology, SITS is an important acquisition for the Tribal Technology portfolio, as they currently provide service to more than 100 customers within the UK higher and further education sectors.

Jim Chambers, Chief Executive of Tribal Technology, described the SITS customer base as being “highly complementary to other Tribal Technology brands, particularly our management information systems and education products.” Despite the changes, the company will remain in its previous offices and retain all of its 70-strong staff base.

“A Responsive System”

Most significantly, the integration of SITS brings to Tribal Technology two products that are already widely used in the educational market. SITS: Vision, an administrative system for the management of courses and students, and e-Vision, a self-service web portal, are currently at use in over 60% of the UK HE sector, and a significant number of Scottish FE institutions. The software provides complete administrative support for universities and colleges, from organising applications and admissions procedures, to handling personalised student services, such as assessment and fees information. The registrar of Northumbria University recently described the system as, “a responsive, comprehensive and easily accessible student information system.”

Tribal Technology itself, a division of Tribal Group plc, can already boast 40% uptake amongst UK FE colleges, and 60% of HE institutions on its books, as well as such major private sector organisations as London Underground and Virgin Atlantic. It also supplies IT services to local and central government, working with more than half of the UK’s local authorities. Tribal Technology was recently chosen, over around 130 other companies, by the South West Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to coordinate the education of offenders, both in prison and during probation. This will include tracking, supporting and educating offenders throughout the rehabilitation process.

Speaking about the integration of SITS into their business, Jim Chambers expressed the company’s wish to extend their presence “into all areas of post-16 education.” The acquisition of SITS will, no doubt, prove to be a major step towards this.

Jessica Brammar

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