We’re upgrading your comprehensive finance solution & moving it to the cloud.

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passFINANCE, but in the cloud

passFINANCE, with its myriad of modules built specifically for Independent Schools, is a well-established, trusted and powerful finance solution.

Increase security with WCBS

Why are we upgrading you?

Meeting your cloud objectives

Enabling a low risk, low effort change management project, supporting schools in their journey to the cloud. With over 100 schools or 1 in 3 passFINANCE Schools now working from the cloud with PASS-hosted, we’re looking to a cloud and Software as a Service (SaaS) approach moving forward, which will further improve the support and service you receive. We have invested both time and money into our PASS-hosted solution, to first ensure it is the secure and stable solution users deserve.

Improving your service and support

PASS-hosted is used by over 100 schools and 700 users.

These schools already benefit from the SaaS solution saving them time and money as we look after everything from backups to updates for them. This managed solution allows us to more easily support you, as it removes the need for Team Viewer connections.

Increasing security

Once hosted in the cloud your passFINANCE data is more secure, benefiting from 2-factor authentication. You also save money on server maintenance and replacement, whilst benefitting from remote access.

Richard Walling, Director of Customer Success, explains further

FAQs

PASS-hosted puts passFINANCE in the cloud. It is the upgraded version of passFINANCE offering schools increased security, improved UX and remote access, without compromising on the functionality of their finance system.

We’ll migrate you to the cloud, and you continue to use the system you know and love.

Your passFINANCE solution, along with most routines and functionality remain the same.

The main differences are:

  • Logging in (you benefit from 2FA)
  • Uploading and downloading documents. It’s still really simple, just a slightly different routine. Check out the video to be super clear on this.
  • Physical printing of receipts and documents using hardware
  • ODBC queries will just need our tech team to configure them

Your passFINANCE solution, along with most routines and functionality remain the same.

With it now being in a cloud environment, when logged in you can use Outlook in the cloud to send emails straight from PASS in the same way you do currently. PTX will also pick up local settings, so it just needs to be pointed to the cloud, and a routine modification is all that’s required for SSL Post. Functionality again does not change.

  • Improved UX: We’ve been working hard on bringing the passFINANCE UX up to date, to match its functionality. This upgrade will only be available to our hosted users.
  • Remote Accessibility: Access passFINANCE from any browser, giving you the freedom to manage financial tasks from anywhere, at any time.
  • Cloud without compromise: Our PASS-hosted solution empowers your school’s IT team to meet its cloud objectives, whilst allowing your finance team to continue using the solution they know and love, without a complex migration.
  • Minimal Disruption, Maximum Improvement: PASS-hosted maintains the feature-rich passFINANCE you love, ensuring a smooth transition with no additional training required.
  • Managed Service: Bid farewell to the need for a local server on your premises. This not only saves you time and resources but also simplifies system management, including backups, updates and full disaster recovery.
  • Disaster Recovery and Security: Our robust service includes disaster recovery provisions, safeguarding your crucial financial data with enhanced security measures.
  • Seamless Updates: Leave behind the hassle of termly updates. With PASS-hosted, all system updates are expertly managed for you, ensuring you always have access to the latest features and improvements.
  • Enhanced Support: Enjoy improved support times as remote issue resolution becomes more efficient, eliminating the need for Team Viewer connections.

We’re looking to a cloud first and Software as a Service (SaaS) approach moving forward, which will further improve the support and service you receive that we are already so proud of. We have invested both time and money into our PASS-hosted solution, to first ensure it is the secure and stable solution users deserve, supported by the fact that more than 1 in 3 passFINANCE Schools is already working from the cloud with PASS-hosted. This is made up of over 100 schools and 700 users.

These schools already benefit from the SaaS solution saving them time and money as we look after everything from backups to updates for them. This managed solution allows us to more easily support you, as it removes the need for Team Viewer connections.

Following a call with our Senior Technician, the upgrade takes place over two days.

The first day of install is the environment and getting everything set up, and the second day is onboarding users and making sure they are happy they have everything they need.

Once upgraded and benefitting from the cloud solution, you will be charged for PASS-hosted at a cost of £407 per annum, per PASS User Licence. Prior to your annual renewal, you’ll be charged for the extra cost on a pro-rata basis.

We understand this is a slight increase from your existing price, however, we believe that this is a fair and reasonable price for the quality and functionality of the new product, especially when compared to the cost of renewing your passFINANCE server.

 

What’s more, this User Licence cost is significantly lower than our on-premise licence cost, allowing you to be more flexible with user licences.

Yes, but:

  • they haven’t been around for 40 years like passFINANCE has
  • they haven’t got the wide range of functionality that passFINANCE offers
  • they weren’t developed specifically for Independent Schools like passFINANCE was

We’ve now witnessed several schools initially exploring cloud-based alternatives only to return to passFINANCE due to the unmatched functionality and support that we offer. We understand that the transition to the cloud might have seemed daunting before, but with PASS-hosted, it’s a change that brings value without sacrificing your comfort or capabilities.

With 40 years in the industry, and processing over £2.16billion in school fees each year, passFINANCE is a trusted solution for Independent Schools.

We’ve set aside a slot for your school to be upgraded next month, and will be in touch to organise the exact dates.

You of course do not have to go ahead within this time frame, but it’s worth being aware that our intention is to move all passFINANCE schools to PASS-hosted in the future.

You can click here to download the datasheet.

Don’t just take it from us:

Giggleswick School,
Deputy Bursar

“The benefits of moving to WCBS hosted PASS were obvious and we have not been disappointed.

The transition was smooth and the support excellent. Not only has the school benefitted from having fewer servers to maintain and allowed our IT staff to focus on the academic side of the business, but we have the peace of mind that we are supported by a very responsive team and that our data is secure.”

And a new UX too!

PASS-hosted schools will also enjoy a new and improved UX, the look and feel of passFINANCE will be brought in line with the impressive functionality it already boasts.

Why PASS-hosted?

Don’t just take it from us:

Giggleswick School,
Deputy Bursar

“The benefits of moving to WCBS hosted PASS were obvious and we have not been disappointed.

The transition was smooth and the support excellent. Not only has the school benefitted from having fewer servers to maintain and allowed our IT staff to focus on the academic side of the business, but we have the peace of mind that we are supported by a very responsive team and that our data is secure.”

How much could you save?

Use the calculator to understand how much money your school could save over 3 years, by moving to PASS-hosted compared to moving to the server.

Additionally, with PASS-hosted you only need to pay per user, and not per each computer accessing passFINANCE.

*savings calculated based on cost of new server and maintenance vs. cost of migration to PASS-hosted and user licences over 3 years.

Can’t wait for our call?

Complete the form and we’ll be in touch sooner to organise your upgrade!

Join hundreds of passFINANCE users who already work from the cloud.

Get in touch to discover how PASS-hosted can improve your security and save you time.

Join hundreds of independent schools who trust WCBS to deliver their finance software and ensure your bursary, payroll and HR departments continue to effectively manage finances throughout your school.

Get in touch to discover how passFINANCE can offer your school more efficient and effective financial control.