Timeline
2017
IRIS Software Group Acquires ParentMail
UK business critical software provider, IRIS Software Group, has announced the acquisition of school communication and payment collection software provider, ParentMail.
Our most successful start of term ever!
This year has seen our most successful start to a new school term, with the highest ever number of parents downloading our mobile app and a new record of parent payments made in a single day. Our support wait time has averaged just one minute and despite the amount of usage, our systems remained active and reliable even through our highest peaks of activity!
Celebrating 1 million App downloads!
Over 1 million parents across the UK are loving the convenience of ParentMail’s mobile App, using it to pick up school communications, make payments, book parents evening appointments and more – all via their mobile phones.
2016
750,000 App downloads!
We're extremely pleased to announce there are now 750,000 parents using the ParentMail App! Next stop - 1 million!
Your own school branded App!
We're now offering schools their own branded App, complete with school logo and colours!
Celebrating half a million App downloads!
We’re extremely pleased to announce there are now half a million parents using the ParentMail App to pick up important school messages, pay for school items, book parents’ evening appointments and more!
Improving our Support!
As well as re-launching our school and parent help sites, we've introduced interactive guided tours and Live Chat to help you find the help you need quickly and easily!
All new +Pay on PMX!
The most reliable, cost effective, socially inclusive online payments system for schools is now available through our latest platform, PMX.
2015
ParentMail on ESPO Framework
We’re very pleased to announce that ParentMail has been awarded a position on the ESPO framework.
Auto SIMS link now available
Schools using SIMS can now automatically transfer updated pupil and parent data directly into ParentMail every night - which means all you have to do is keep on top of your SIMS data and we'll do the rest!
Celebrating 300,000 App downloads!
Celebrating over 300,000 parents using the ParentMail App to pick up school messages on the go! Next stop... 500,000!
Introducing Ed
We introduced our new character into the ParentMail family! Meet Ed, here to help schools and parents find the Support they need with their ParentMail account.
200,000 parents using the ParentMail App!
We’re extremely happy to announce that in just a couple of months over 200,000 parents have downloaded the ParentMail App onto their iPhone or Android device!
Parents can now report absences!
With our new absence reporting tool on the parent App, it is now easier for parents to report absences, meaning schools get a better response.
Meetings and Events goes live!
The Meetings and Events App allows schools to organise meetings and events with ease by sending electronic invitations to parents to accept or decline so it’s easy to see who is attending and who is not.
Parents’ Evening Manager goes live!
Parents’ Evening Manager makes life easier for schools and parents, with a simple online booking process that can be set up, sent to parents – and returned back to the school in minutes.
2014
ParentMail App for iOS and Android
We released our App on iOS and Android devices - free for parents to download from the App store.
ParentMail on your mobile
Our latest version of ParentMail is designed to work across several devices - mobile phones, tablets and computers . Now, over 70% of parents access ParentMail on their mobile.
Launch of online Forms
Schools can now collect online Forms, Permissions and Surveys from parents - improving the response time immensely!
2013
Launch of PMX
ParentMail launch PMX; the World's best parental engagement service!
Bett Award ICT Company of the Year!
ParentMail picks up another Bett Award - this time it's for ICT Company of the Year.
2012
Award: ECommerce Awards
ParentMail is highly commended at the eCommerce Awards.
Dinner Money Manager Launch
ParentMail launches the fantastic Dinner Money Manager, a solution for Primary and Secondary Schools.
Award: Bett award for innovation
ParentMail picks up the Bett Award for Innovation.
1500 schools using +Pay!
1,500 schools are using +Pay to process school payments.
2011
iPad Package is launched
ParentMail launches its first iPad package offering complete flexibility for schools.
Award: Education Investor Awards
ParentMail is a Finalist at the Education Investor Awards.
Celebrating our 10th Anniversary
ParentMail celebrates its 10th Anniversary!
2010
+Pay is launched
ParentMail launches +Pay and become the very first combined communications and payment collection service in the UK.
Used by clubs and nurseries!
ParentMail becomes the very first service for parents to receive communications from all of their schools, clubs, and nurseries in one place.
2007
1 million text messages sent
Thanks to wider adoption among schools a massive 1 million text messages are typically sent each month using ParentMail.
2003
Award: Visa Business Awards
ParentMail wins a Visa Business Award for Innovation.
2002
Email and Text Messaging Service
With the introduction of text messaging by mobile networks, ParentMail becomes the UK's very first email AND text messaging communications service between schools and parents.
2001
ParentMail is born!
ParentMail is formed by 2 parents craving better communication with their childrens' schools. It's the UK's very first electronic school-to-home communications service.