Escape Online 5 Is the
Next Generation of Escape Software

Welcome to the most powerful fund accounting system available to education! An intuitive, completely integrated, comprehensive system designed from the ground up specifically for the unique needs of education. Escape is not just a collection of individual modules. This system was designed as a complete, fully integrated solution which runs in an online/real time environment.

Expecting More from Escape Technology

In the early 90s, Escape Technology led the educational business community into the world of PC-based applications. Gone were mainframes with their clunky interfaces, as well as high acquisition and maintenance costs.

We put true power and flexibility right onto your desktop. These applications and our services enabled us to become one of the most successful software companies serving this community.

In the mid 1990s we wrote our first Windows application — MYP (a joint venture with School Services), which became the long range budgeting tool for over 500 school districts.

In 2001, we began implementing Escape Online 4.0 — a true browser based application for site and departmental users. And throughout this period our functionality — which is really what matters — was the best available to the educational business market.

Now, we have developed a Windows application that runs on a server and uses an SQL database on the backend. This revolutionary breakthrough brings the most innovative, integrated set of school business software packages to K-12 business and personnel offices in decades.

Sounds like you can expect quite a bit from Escape Technology, doesn’t it? Our expectations are high — for our product functionality and reliability, as well as our support and implementation teams.

When you combine:

  • Over a decade of experience writing school business software for all application areas, including feedback from thousands of users at over 100 districts, CCDs and COEs.
  • Experience with several different Windows development environments.
  • A consistent team of people dedicated to writing, implementing and supporting quality software.
  • Today’s state-of-the-art development, database and reporting platforms.

You have one notable project!

No other company is better suited than Escape Technology to produce the first truly revolutionary school business system in the new century.

Going Beyond the Usual

We have always been known for our extensive functionality and automation of day-to-day tasks. Escape Online 5 allows us to go beyond anything we have previously accomplished:

  • Navigation – quick and easy access to all functionality, that stays in place — always available for your next task. To make navigation consistent and intuitive, Escape Online 5 always places elements in the same place in the work space so users know where they are.
  • Data entry is a breeze with quick identification of changed fields, lookup windows, popup calendars, date entry logic and a host of other efficiency tools. Lookup windows display system-defined codes in an easy to use list, eliminating typos and reducing input error. Popup calendars are available for any date field, just like Microsoft Outlook.
  • The Escape Online forms are so intuitive that training can take place over the phone, literally. No more opening and closing a bunch of windows. Escape Online 5 groups related records. All the information is right there. Requisition, PO, vendor info and payments — all from one window!
  • Complex searches are simple to enter and easy to understand, allowing users to create just-the-right list. No matter what type of record you are searching for, the “look” of the search form is consistent, making searching for various records very straightforward.
  • Workflow processes are easy to perform. Escape Online 5 process forms are so simple to use. A few mouse clicks is all it takes.
  • Searching results in a list that can be sorted by any column — even exported to Excel spreadsheets!
  • Real-time editing and list-based management provides you with just enough information to make a decision as to whether or not to open the record.
  • Crystal Reports – a full set of standard reports, with the ability for a COE or district to exclude any of ours and/or include any of theirs.

The Ultimate COE System

We have been working with County Offices of Education for many years. Since 1999, we have been in the process of implementing all the current Escape Classic systems in Ventura County.

In late 2004, we began converting Alameda County to Escape Online 5.

These experiences have enabled us to learn COE business and functionality. And we have experienced first-hand the extra steps involved in setup and maintenance of a system that was designed for single organization use — stretched across an entire county.

  • A new SQL database, designed from the ground up to support any number of organizations.
  • Easy client installation downloaded by user visiting an intranet web page. Thereafter, any client software updates are installed automatically when the user logs in.
  • Security includes full encryption between the client and the server, plus ability to use HTTPS and SSL.
  • True Windows server Management Console snap-in for complete system status.
  • Scalability for both server processes and databases across multiple servers. Given the proper hardware, it should scale to any foreseeable system within education.
  • County-wide reporting and processes are easily accomplished.
  • Cascading setup for every aspect of the system — one setup record can apply across all organizations and users, if desired. Individual setup records are utilized just for the exceptions.
  • Organization level system managers can be assigned to maintain their own setup, users, etc., while any COE level setup is restricted to COE system managers.
  • Any aspect of the database can be exported to a data warehouse for offline review and analysis by third-party tools.
  • Any “document” in the system can be put in “suspense” and routed to support personnel for review and approval — automatically.