IRIS Reach vs Schoolkit

IRIS Reach is a parent engagement suite for secondary schools, bringing email, SMS and social media communications into one place. Parents can receive school information through a school-branded mobile app; the MyEd app includes messages, attendance, timetables, absences, achievements and behaviour. Inbound and outbound messages can be automatically translated into over 40 languages, and parents can check attendance through real-time reports based on registration data. Schools can create and collect electronic forms and surveys, host documents online and send links by SMS or email. Up to twenty accounts can create dedicated channels for departments and functions. Reporting, analysis, response management and an audit trail are included. Reach synchronises with school management information systems such as SIMS and Integris; after setup, syncing runs nightly by default. The service is available on web, Android and iOS. Pricing is on request, and the product page offers schools a free demo. The MyEd app is available for iOS and Android; its help page says messages sent to and from the app are free.

Schoolkit connects school districts with families through websites, mobile apps, messaging, and digital displays. Publishing website content can also send it to apps, displays, SMS, email, social media, or other listed channels. Website tools include intelligent search, media management, instant translation, single sign-on, accessibility, and calendars. Branded iOS and Android apps provide push notifications, Google Translate, and SMS fallback. Mass notifications support automated phone calls, SMS, email, app push, and attendance alerts; calls can use a recording or Amazon Polly text-to-speech, with the school number shown as caller ID. Digital displays can show announcements, news, calendar reminders, date and weather, and block rotations. Integrations include Google Workspace and Microsoft Entra single sign-on, calendars, forms, sheets, slides, YouTube, and related services. Schoolkit Helper guides publishing, while a Support Portal serves designated staff. The company describes Canadian ownership and hosting, with launch, upgrades, security, accessibility, troubleshooting, and support. Pricing is on request.