About Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University is a modern institution known for its focus on practical, industry-based education. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, particularly excelling in the areas of maritime studies, media, sport, and creative industries. The university emphasises hands-on learning and strong industry connections to prepare students for employment. With a diverse student body and state-of-the-art facilities, Southampton Solent also supports entrepreneurship and research, aiming to equip students with the skills needed for successful careers in today’s competitive job market.
Southampton Solent University has climbed 11 places in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and come in the top 20% nationally across several subject areas for teaching quality.
Project Background
For several years, Southampton Solent University relied on a long-standing relationship with another supplier for the provision of attendance and engagement monitoring systems. This vendor relationship had served the university well, but as the institution grew and its needs evolved, so did its desire for a more flexible and innovative solution. After careful evaluation, Southampton Solent University decided to transition to a new provider, Simac IDS, selecting their Presto solution to meet these evolving needs. The transition was not without its complexities, but the university saw potential in a more responsive and adaptable service from Simac IDS.
Project History
The project at Southampton Solent University started with a change in leadership. A new project manager took over following the departure of his predecessor after the initial requirements had already been gathered. While transitioning management mid-project can be challenging, the new project manager quickly aligned with the existing project goals and established strong connections with the new supplier, Simac IDS.
Simac IDS provided its flagship solution, Presto, which was designed to improve attendance and engagement monitoring. The Simac team worked closely with the Southampton Solent University team to implement the system.
Customer Experience
Despite the transition from a long-term supplier to Simac IDS, the team at Southampton Solent were happy with the experience of working with a smaller, more agile company. The personalised service and close working relationship provided by Simac IDS stood out to the Southampton Solent team, marking an evolution in supplier interactions from those the university had been accustomed to. They valued the flexibility and responsiveness Simac IDS demonstrated throughout the project, particularly their ability to quickly address and resolve challenges.
Key Highlights Simac IDS Team
The Simac IDS team was a key factor in the success of the project. They were particularly impressed by the team’s energy, enthusiasm, and proactivity which manifested strongly in the interpersonal relationships formed between the teams at Southampton Solent University and Simac IDS. The Simac IDS team consistently showed a willingness to incorporate feedback, experiment with new ideas, and act quickly when issues arose, helping to foster a strong working relationship built on collaboration and trust.
Rapid Implementation of Presto
One of the standout aspects of the project was the remarkably fast implementation of Presto. From the moment the contract was signed to the initial go-live, the entire process took just two months. This rapid deployment was a testament to the efficiency and expertise of the Simac IDS team, as well as their ability to work closely with Southampton Solent University to meet tight deadlines. The University was particularly impressed by the team's ability to coordinate various aspects of the implementation, from technical setup to user training, in such a short timeframe. Despite the accelerated timeline, the system was operational and well-received by staff and students, who quickly adapted to its intuitive design and ease of use. The swift implementation not only minimised disruption to core operations but also demonstrated Simac IDS' commitment to delivering results under pressure.
Southampton Solent University’s experience with Presto was wholly positive as Presto aligned with their internal policies, ensuring smooth monitoring of attendance and student engagement. Both staff and students found Presto easy to use, which contributed to quick adoption across user groups.
Overall, the transition from the previous supplier to Simac IDS was smoother than expected, and the team expressed satisfaction with how quickly Presto became a core component of administrative operations.
Conclusion
Despite the initial decision to part ways with a trusted, long-term supplier, Southampton Solent University’s experience with Simac IDS has been overwhelmingly positive. The project team praised the supplier’s flexibility, responsiveness, and willingness to adapt to their evolving needs. Simac IDS’ smaller size allowed them to provide a more personalised and agile service, which proved to be a critical factor in the project’s success.
Presto has become a well-integrated tool at Southampton Solent University, enabling effective attendance and engagement monitoring. As Southampton Solent University continues to explore ways to innovate and enhance their operations further, there is growing interest in exploring Simac IDS’s other products, particularly Chippo, for monitoring off-site placements. The future of Southampton Solent University’s partnership with Simac IDS looks promising, with the potential for even greater collaboration and closer working in the years to come.
Justin Dalton
Assistant Project Manager
Corporate Programme Management Office
