Student information systems, one of the first applications of computer technology in education, are undergoing a significant transition yet again. The first major shift in SIS technologies occurred about 15 years ago when they evolved from mainframe programs to client-server solutions. Now, vendors across the board are offering centralized Web-based systems. These newer products are based on industry-standard database technologies that allow an SIS to share data with other critical administrative applications such as transportation, special education management, or food service. In addition, the latest generation of systems provides options for communicating important academic information to parents and students via the Internet. In response to the increasing need for quality information on the SIS market, Technology & Learning cosponsored the publication of a report on how the nation's schools are choosing and using these systems. The study, Student Information Systems 2003 Trends & Opportunities Report, was conducted by Headway Strategies (www.sistrends.com) and is the first public source of statistically validated information on the K-12 SIS market. This article uses the report's statistics and other information as a basis for the key buying considerations listed here.