North Carolina TIMS Training Classes

Edulog University

Edulog University is a series of online introductory courses to help transportation staff become familiar with the TIMS Software. New TIMS Operators are asked to complete all 13 lessons in Edulog University before attending New User courses offered by TIMS Support Staff from NCSU-ITRE and UNC Charlotte. Edulog University is also great for Transportation Directors and other Staff to learn basic tasks like looking up an assigned student, stop location, stop time or bus number.

New Users: Please contact your LEA Support Office to gain access to Edulog University.

Existing Users: Can access Edulog University Courses here.

Hint: Usernames are formatted as First(dot)Last, like John.Smith or Tims.User
Passwords you set up yourself, so try your “regulars” or use the Forgot Password option.


TIMS New Users

This is a new user class for TIMS Staff from LEAs that are already running TIMS-SQL. The new users are asked to complete the eSQL Training Courses through Edulog University before attending the new user class.  This course is designed for brand new users and starts at the beginning with basic map and screen navigation and moves through making new stops, inserting stops on runs, assigning students, basic reports, maintenance, etc.


eSQL for Veteran TIMS Staff

This is a new user class for TIMS Staff from LEAs that are already running TIMS-SQL. The new users are asked to complete the eSQL Training Courses through EdulogThis is an eSQL Class for experienced Launchpad TIMS users who want hands-on practice in the new eSQL piece of TIMS. TIMS eSQL offers drag-and-drop students-to-stops and stops-to-runs features, new search abilities, as well as Google Streets and Satellite background images in TIMS. TIMS Staff interested in this course must complete the eSQL Training Courses through Edulog University before attending this class. The online courses will serve as the introduction to eSQL and then the 1-Day class will give staff the opportunity to practice in eSQL using training data. This 1-day class will increase your familiarity and confidence within the new eSQL piece of TIMS. All staff experienced with Launchpad TIMS should attend one of these course dates.University before attending the new user class.  This course is designed for brand new users and starts at the beginning with basic map and screen navigation and moves through making new stops, inserting stops on runs, assigning students, basic reports, maintenance, etc.


TIMS Reports, Worklists, UPSTU and EMU

The reports, worklists, UPSTU and maintenance class will provide an overview of the various standard reports available within TIMS as well as teach the skills needed to modify existing reports, enhance report filters to make them more user friendly, creating new reports and sending TIMS Data to an Excel Spreadsheet. The class will also cover many of the common Batches and Processes within the Edulog Maintenance Utility (EMU) and Daily UPSTU Procedures.


MARIS Part One

MARIS 1 provides an introduction to the TIMS Geocode (map), mapping concepts, creating new streets, roads and neighborhoods, adding bus turnarounds, creating color-coded autostreet layers, etc. Users must pass both MARIS 1 and MARIS 2 in order to be certified to edit the TIMS Geocode in your LEA. Users who sign up for MARIS 1 will be automatically enrolled into MARIS 2, which takes places a few weeks later, while the skills from MARIS 1 are still fresh.


MARIS Part Two

MARIS 2 builds upon the mapping skills from MARIS 1 and provides additional instruction on mapping concepts, street and student addressing, creating school driveways, one way roads, landmarks and updating autostreet layers to reflect mapping changes. Users who complete MARIS 1 and MARIS 2 will receive a TIMS Geocode Certification and will then be allowed to make edits to the main TIMS Map within their LEA.


MARIS Part Three

This new MARIS Course is for LEAs operating TIMS-SQL and showcases additional skills related to correctly drawing school driveways, bus turnarounds and other areas required for school bus navigation that are not typically part of county street files used as the base map in TIMS. Participants must be Geocode Certified and familiar with operating the eSQL Bus Routing Module of TIMS.


Transfer Stops & Mid-Day Runs

Establishing and Managing Transfer Stops and Mid-Day Runs are among the trickiest components of maintaining Bus Routes in TIMS. This brand new course will provide users the opportunity to better understand, create and insert transfer stops within TIMS. This course will also cover preferred methodologies for setting up and managing irregular Mid-Day Runs for Special Needs, Early College and other unique transportation requirements for students.


Boundary Planning

Boundary Planning and ElPlot will introduce users to the Boundary Planning module within TIMS. Boundary Planning allows staff to tally students within a certain area and experiment with boundary line changes in anticipation of opening or closing a school. Boundary Planning allows users to create large wall maps for display and presentations as well as general planning purposes. The ElPlot module provides similar mapping features as Boundary Planning and will introduce users to creating Maps that also display Stop, Run and Route Information.


Launchpad TIMS for eSQL Users

This class is for new staff who prefer or only have experience with TIMS via the eSQL Routing Module. Since the majority of New Users begin working within TIMS-eSQL instead of Launchpad TIMS, there are some features of Launchpad TIMS that have not been covered with the typical eSQL user over the last three years. This course will introduce eSQL Operators to Launchpad TIMS and some of the additional Launchpad-Only features that may be useful when managing bus routes.  

These additional features include the creation and use of Worklists for Students, Stops, Runs and Routes. Worklists are available for use within Launchpad TIMS as well as for use within EMU and Edulog Reports. Understanding and using Worklists can help to streamline many processes within TIMS. This course will also introduce users to the concept of Student Batch Assignments, using set criteria for Max Load per Stop and Max Walking Distance to Stop as well as tips and tricks for Group Processing Run and Route Directions.  

New Staff who have predominantly used only eSQL for TIMS, should attend this course.


TDTIMS

The TDTIMS Annual Audit occurs during November of each year. This class focuses on proper methods for updating TIMS and ensuring Computerized Routes reflect what typically occurs on the road each day of school. The course also covers proper procedures for compiling TIMS Data and submitting the Official TDTIMS State Report.


Fall\Summer Planning

Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail. This Online Webinar will focus on the variety of issues faced by Transportation Departments regarding Summer School Transportation and Fall Planning.  Different strategies, advice and Tips and Tricks from TIMS will be discussed to help LEAs better prepare for the start of school and upcoming summer programs. Both Transportation Directors and TIMS Staff are encouraged view and participate in the Webinar.


Summer School Database

NCSU-ITRE released the Summer School Database in the Spring of 2019 and dozens of LEAs took advantage of this new program for Summer School Bus Routing last year.  Many times, students do not attend summer school at the same building they attend during the regular school year and it can be very time consuming to manually change the school code in TIMS for every summer school bus rider. The Summer School Database allows TIMS Staff to edit\update\alter the regular School of Assignment in the NewStu File for dozens, hundreds and thousands of Summer School Students at a time. 

Using a spreadsheet list of each summer school student and the three-digit school code of the summer classes, the Summer School Database will update the NewStu File from PowerSchool and edit the student school code to match the Summer School Building. If your LEA holds Summer Classes at one location for students from multiple schools, then you should participate in this course.


TIMS Project Leaders also provide one-on-one training and assistance to LEA Staff as needed throughout the year. Please contact TIMS  Project Leaders for information about training classes each semester as well as specialized training and support for your specific LEA.