The DfE’s acknowledgement that “buying MIS can be difficult for schools” is an important and long-overdue recognition of the long-standing procurement challenges faced by schools. This echoes recent reporting in Schools Week, which highlighted the legal risks, inconsistent contracts, and procurement “minefield” many schools have faced. From inconsistent pricing to restrictive exit terms and difficult data transfers, many schools have felt locked into systems that no longer meet their needs.
The new framework seeks to change that. And based on both yesterday’s discussion and the wider issues highlighted across the sector, two themes are emerging as the backbone of this future MIS landscape:
- Interoperability that enables seamless data flow, and
- Fair, secure, low-risk data migration that removes barriers to switching.
At Bromcom, these issues are not just philosophical or technical preferences; they are core principles we’ve advocated for for more than 20 years.
A turning point: the DfE’s vision for a more open, connected MIS market
During the session, the DfE outlined its intention to develop a successive open framework under the Procurement Act 2023, with no cap on the number of suppliers. The aim is to:
- Reduce procurement complexity
- Improve compliance and transparency
- Strengthen supplier relationships
- Support data flow across schools, trusts, LAs, and the DfE
- Ensure fairer, simpler contract exit
- Improve schools’ digital and data maturity
Importantly, this shift should not be viewed as the DfE reacting to recent legal cases. As Schools Week noted, the wider problem is years of complexity, inconsistent commercial behaviour, and difficult exits, rather than the actions of any individual supplier.
Interoperability: the foundation of a modern education data ecosystem
Interoperability and the ability for systems to exchange and use data effectively were one of the strongest messages from the DfE.
For schools, poor interoperability means:
- Double entry and manual data stitching
- Friction between MIS and assessment tools, finance systems, safeguarding platforms, HR databases, and analytics
- Inconsistent data quality
- Limited ability to share information across a MAT
- Slow and complex statutory returns
The DfE highlighted the need for a future MIS ecosystem where:
- APIs and digital standards allow platforms to talk to each other reliably
- Data flows predictably across school, trust, local authority, and DfE levels
- New joiners to a trust can be onboarded quickly
- Systems integrate without bespoke workarounds
- Suppliers innovate continuously without creating new silos
This mirrors calls from across the sector, including Schools Week’s reporting on the need for better data sharing across MATs and national bodies.
Migration: removing the number one barrier to switching
For many schools and trusts, the biggest challenge in moving MIS is not the software and its data migration.
Schools often fear that:
- Historic data may be incomplete or lost
- Migration will create operational disruption
- Suppliers will charge for access to the school’s own data
- Complex processes will pull staff away from teaching and administration
- The risk of errors is too high
- Unclear or inconsistent guidance from suppliers on what is included in migration
The DfE’s proposed approach recognises this and seeks to create:
- Clear expectations around data ownership
- Common structures and standards to reduce risk
- Fair contracts, exit terms, and prohibitions on artificial barriers
- Consistent sector-wide guidance
- Processes that protect supplier IP without undermining portability
This represents a significant shift, one that we strongly support. When schools are confident, they can move MIS without friction, the market becomes healthier, fairer, and more innovative.
Schools Week highlighted the DfE’s intention to “ease” data transfers when schools move trusts, and it is an important signal of intent.
Why Bromcom has been calling for this change for two decades
Interoperability and fair migration standards are not new issues. Bromcom has a long history of advocating for open systems and challenging practices that restrict choice.
In 2003, Bromcom worked with the Office of Fair Trading (now the CMA) to challenge vendor lock-in behaviours and push for interoperability across the MIS market. At that time, the sector was already grappling with:
- Closed systems
- Unclear exit processes
- Barriers to data access
- Anti-competitive behaviours
The underlying principles remain the same today: schools deserve choice, transparency, and control over their own data.
As noted in Schools Week’s coverage, long-running concerns around commercial fairness, unclear contract terms, and restrictive behaviours have created uncertainty for schools.
The issue has resurfaced in recent years:
- Private Eye, WhichMIS and Schools Week have reported concerns around questionable incentives, “kickbacks”, restrictive clauses. and commercial behaviours that distort competition.
- The High Court judgment in Bromcom vs United Learning Trust confirmed that discounts linked to unrelated contracts or incumbency advantages can breach procurement law.
- The DfE itself has acknowledged that the MIS market needs clearer guardrails, simpler processes, and stronger data standards.
The forthcoming Open Framework provides an opportunity to draw a line under these historic issues and move the market forward.
The real-world impact: what schools and local authorities are already seeing
Across multiple local authorities and including regions in Wales and the North of England, schools transitioning to modern cloud-based MIS ecosystems are already seeing tangible benefits.
- Reduced administrative workload through automation and improved digital workflows
- More accurate and timely reporting, both at the school and trust level
- Enhanced safeguarding visibility, with centralised pastoral and behavioural insights
- Greater consistency across MATs, enabling trust-wide practices and analytics
- Faster onboarding when schools join or leave a trust
- Better data quality thanks to automated data flows and fewer manual interventions
These examples also underline why cloud-first systems now dominate market momentum, as Schools Week noted with the shifting market share between major MIS providers.
What the Open Framework could mean for schools and trusts
If implemented as described, the DfE’s Open Framework could enable:
- Simplified, transparent procurement
With clearer guidance, more standardised terms and a level playing field for suppliers.
- Easier, safer switching
Clearer data standards and fair exit processes enable schools to select systems that best meet their needs – without worrying about being trapped.
- Better data-driven decision-making
Interoperability supports:
- Trust-wide dashboards
- Unified reporting
- Automated processes
- Faster insights
- More strategic resource planning
- Lower workload
Less duplication, fewer manual processes, and smoother integration with third-party platforms.
- A healthier, more innovative market
Where suppliers compete on:
- Quality
- Reliability
- Usability
- Value
- Interoperability
- rather than restrictive commercial levers.
Should schools delay their MIS purchase?
There is no need for schools or trusts to postpone procurement decisions in expectation of the new DfE framework.
As Schools Week noted, the framework is in a consultation stage and may take 12–24 months to finalise.
Modern MIS systems that support interoperability, open APIs, and fair migration are already aligned to the direction the DfE is taking. Moving now ensures schools benefit sooner, without being out of step with future expectations.
Our commitment: supporting an open, fair, future-ready market
As the engagement process begins, with questionnaires, ongoing consultations, and one-to-one sessions. Bromcom will actively contribute. With more than two decades of experience supporting schools, trusts, and local authorities through MIS change, we will continue to advocate for:
- Open standards
- Fair transitions
- Supplier neutrality
- Clear and consistent contract terms
- Modern interoperability
- Freedom of choice for schools
- High-quality, cloud-first MIS technology that evolves with the sector
This framework represents a significant opportunity, not just for suppliers, but also for schools and trusts that require an MIS ecosystem that genuinely supports teaching, learning, and improved outcomes for pupils.
As Schools Week concluded, a healthier market benefits schools, suppliers, and the wider system, and this framework is a step toward achieving that goal.
We welcome this direction from the DfE and look forward to contributing to the next stage of the conversation.
