Information for SMS developers

For vendors of student management systems (SMS) or tertiary education providers who use student management systems (SMS) developed in house.

Student Management System (SMS) Certification Programme

This page is for vendors of student management systems (SMS) or tertiary education providers who use student management systems (SMS) developed in house.

The purpose of SMS certification programme is to ensure that the Student Management System (SMS) interfaces correctly with the Ministry of Education’s systems - National Student Index (NSI) and Single Data Return (SDR), and that data passed to the Ministry of Education is an accurate representation of that entered.

For details on the compliance process for SMS systems to interface with the Unfunded International Providers (UIP) refer to UIP SMS Compliance.

This programme certifies:

• that the method by which the SMS interfaces with the NSI, works as specified in Guide to Integrating with National Student Index (GINS).
• that the SDR files created by the SMS, comply with the requirements detailed in the SDR manual.
• that the data in the SDR files accurately reflect the data that was entered into the SMS.

This programme does not certify

• Any business practices, processes and health of the SMS Vendor, the user interface, underlying functionality, performance, or security of the SMS.

First Time SMS Certification

For SMS Vendors who would like to participate in the Certification Programme, the SMS Certification would include both NSI and SDR certification.

First time certification could take place any time in the year. However, it is highly recommended that any new SMS Vendor contacts the Ministry about the certification in advance.

If you have any queries regarding the SMS Certification Programme please contact us at service.desk@education.govt.nz.