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7. what projects have done
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7.7 Pre-existing technologies
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Windows throughout admin and management areas
Mostly Windows in academic research and student IT labs with about 400 Mac users.
UNIX in specialized Computing area.
Very little Linux. |
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Writtle is in the process of changing its OS structure. While the majority of MIS systems reside in a UNIX
environment [DEC-Alpha True 64 Unix (HEMIS, Resource 32000), AIX (Dynix)], the rest of the institution is
moving to a more closely integrated MS Windows environment, including the transition from Netware to
Win2000 server. |
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Linux, Solaris, MacOS, Windows (various) |
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Mixed. Windows and Unix are supported centrally. Linux support being developed. Other OS (notably Mac
OS) present in, and supported by, some schools. |
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Windows NT upgrade to Win2000 Summer 2003 Unix for major business systems and are supported by
the IT Service. Linux, Mac OS present and supported by, some schools. |
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Systems developed and maintained in-house. Multiple functions, with those relevant to Martini including
student registration, course and unit enrolment, marks. |
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The HR software in use at Writtle is Professional Personnel. This is not integrated in any way with GIMIS
or any other system. This decision was made by the GIMIS team on the grounds of Data Protection. |
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Integrated payroll/personnel system called ResourceLink supplied by Northgate. Client/server application
with the client written in ProIV and the server based on an Oracle 8.1.7 database running on a Solaris
server. |
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In-house HR system developed & maintained by UEA CIS but dated (1988) allied with VisualBasic client-
server enduser enquiry system; Reports generated by DataExpress and in-house developed report
writer; UEA Pensions on bespoke CIS system in combination with MSAccess and manual systems;
Payroll management uses HPAY from Grampian software - partial integration with HR system; UEA in
process of selecting integrated HR & payroll system - seeking multi-module system with complete
worklife tracking and use from hiring to pension as objective. |
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Aptos, supplied by Capita. Client/server application with the client written in Uniface and the server based
on an Oracle 8.1.7 database running on a Solaris server. |
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Debtors system developed and maintained in-house, includes automated invoicing (integrated with in-
house accommodation system, student registration system etc), direct debit and instalment payment
options. Accounting software standard for UEA is QL. |
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FacilityCMIS (Timetabling) |
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Ad hoc in house systems. Some Access databases |
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Facility CMIS used for timetabling and roombooking (timetabling not yet fully operational.). Web-based
front-end for roombooking enquiry developed in-house.
Estates use CAD in combination with document management system, project management software
(MS Project-based), bespoke maintenance management system; SQL used for Asbestos & space
charging; access control system being piloted - CARDAX (SQL-based). |
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Project - estates managements/room booking/timetabling system(s) |
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None, some in-house systems |
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The Library has recently migrated to the Aleph 500 integrated library system to handle all aspects of
library work; Web-based OPAC, circulation, acquisitions, cataloguing and in 2003, interlibrary lending.
The Library also uses exLibris' MetaLib as a resource portal & cross-searching facility and SFX as its
citation linking software. The Library also supports CITRIX metaframe on a NT terminal server to run our
networked CD-ROM service on IRIS software. |
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Currently Dynix. Awaiting return of tenders for new library system. Implementation projected to go live
early summer 2003. New LMS will feed into the MLE. |
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WebCT until now. Currently in tender for replacement of existing VLE. |
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At present Writtle has no VLE installation. It is envisaged that over the next 12 months, GIMIS will be
expanded to fill this role in a manner suited to Writtle. |
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Various: TAGS, MMS, WebCT, numerous ad hoc School-level systems |
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Blackboard has been selected as the UEA "standard" VLE and is being introduced incrementally to UEA
departments. |
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None, some in-house subsystems |
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Exchange for staff and researchers
Sun's SIMS for students |
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None at present, although workflow, scheduling etc are being developed as part of GIMIS. |
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TAGS Notebook, TAGS FileShare, e-mail |
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UEA uses Simeon and MS Outlook as email systems with a strategy of migrating from the former to the
latter. Bulletin software is supported and personal diary software exists but with no corporate standard. |
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Project - collaborative systems (e-mail, bulletin boards, diaries, etc) |
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Groupware: Mail (IMAP/SMTP)
News (NNTP)
Calendar (Oracle Calendar) |
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GIMIS has a content and document management element which is used for the direct publication of
documents for both students and staff. The delivery of material is done via conversion 'on-demand', and
is formatted to the user's chosen style (fonts, colours, additional markup) to cater for any special visual
requirements of the user. The 'on-demand' delivery is performed by OutsideInServer, which performs live
conversions of a multiplicity of document and image formats to HTML and web compatible images. |
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Document management systems exist but vary according to department and administrative unit. |
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CMS: None, some in house subsystems |
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Student ID cards contain a (Siemens) chip which is used for payment for photocopying. They also have a
bar code which is used for Library transactions and access to certain buildings. |
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We have a legacy system called "QuickWorks" which because of contractual issues we are forced to use.
We have adapted the host system to do the following:
Current Usage
Duty of Care
As the College have a large number of FE students, some of whom reside in the Halls of Residence on
the College Campus, including access to purchase alcoholic beverages in the Student Bar, to exercise
its pastoral controls to students under the age of eighteen and in accordance with the Data Protection Act
a no entry symbol on the Student Identification Card indicates that a student is under eighteen.
Hall Wardens will shortly be issued with Palms with photographs and details of those students
authorised to be in the Halls of Residence.
"P" Counter (Printing)
The College charges students to print out their work on the Laser and Plotter Printers, on a standard tariff
which is credited to their user account. At present this is administered via the host system software using
the ID of their cards, we intend in the near future to have the facility for students to be able credit their "P"
Counter automatically via the Student ID card.
Door Entry
Restricted access to buildings and rooms is controlled via the magnetic strip imbedded in the Student
Identification Card, having swiped their cards via the card reader on the door.
Automatic Creation of Library and GIMIS Accounts
A routine has been written to automatically populate new user accounts for the Library and GIMIS,
following the issuing of the Student Identification Card at Registration.
Pre Charging Meal Allowance
A number of students are on company sponsored courses for which the employee is entitled to a
subsistence allowance that is credited to the Card in advance.
Activity Based Authorisation ("Licence")
A number of courses have a practical element e.g. Tractor Driving, authorised students able to lawfully
drive bear a "T" symbol on their cards to verify that the College authorises them to be able to drive a
Tractor.
Potential Usage Based on Existing Structure
Creation of Network Accounts
In the near future it is intended to seamlessly create all user accounts from the creation of the Student
Identification Card at registration.
Student Verification at Exams
To provide the facility to enable exam invigilators to verify the candidates are entitled to sit the exam and to
ascertain they are one and the same person and the exam numbers match.
Outstanding Payment of Student Fees
In the future the College intends to enable part payment of fees to be recorded and embedded on the
Student Identification Card for presentation at the Finance Counter
The ownership of any data that is to be imbedded will reside with the data owners and accountability for
the extraction of any data will reside with GIMIS Development Team.
The process costs associated are anticipated when complete to be minimal and less then the current
costs (which results in nett savings to the institution year-on-year). |
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Basic mag-strip matriculation and staff id cards. These also act as Library cards, and can be used to
gain access to certain buildings. INSIDE project has used these for student authentication and access to
on-line web-based enrolment system, and for recording lecture attendance (again web-based). |
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UEA uses multi-purpose cards with two barcodes, a magnetic stripe and a photograph. The software
employed is Envision. UEA does not use smart cards. Pictures are exported to CIS and are incorporated
within MARTINI. Access control systems used by various parts of the UEA also read the database to
update their systems. The barcodes on the card are used by at least the Sports Park and the Library,
while the magnetic stripe is used for access control to computer labs, residences and libraries and for
car parking among other things. |
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Project - which card system and degree of integration with other systems (e.g. export of photograph to
student record system, electronic purse for laserprinting/photocopying) |
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No Smart Cards at the moment. For access control system we have "MultiMAX 450 ACS" from Securitas
Technology. It uses flexi-cards for student's ID badges with magnetic strip of several tracks (for access to
the premises - sliding mechanism at the doors and for purchase of photocopies though card readers).
Students' photos are exported from this system to generate class lists in "studentifier," an in-house
Intranet application available to all users with different access permissions (e.g. for personal details, last
log on, etc). Purchasing of print credits at the College's shop are input through an Intranet interface in
"Pcounter" "Padmin 2.5" a printer accounting and control system from A.N.D. Technologies. |
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Novell NDS moving currently to e-Directory |
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Writtle will be using Active Directory, starting in late 2002. GIMIS will integrate with ADS for authentication
and information purposes. |
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Campus LDAP server provides ITS user names, and verifies ITS name/password pairs.
Computer Science LDAP server authenticates Compter Sciencename/password pairs. INSIDE systems
make use of both. |
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Authentication of all UEA staff & students via LDAP directory. We will shortly be moving to Active Directory. |
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Directories: LDAP with NT SAM integration |
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Part of e-Directory project |
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We intend to resolve single sign-on issues, once ADS is installed. |
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Campus LDAP server provides ITS user names, and verifies ITS name/password pairs.
Computer Science LDAP server authenticates Compter Sciencename/passwd pairs. INSIDE systems
make use of both. As of August 2002, Computer Science is using the same ids as ITS. Different
passwords are necssary however, for the different systems. |
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Single sign on for Martini in-place. UEA uses LDAP directory for many corporate resources but other
authentication systems are in place for specific functions (e.g. ATHENS for Library resources). |
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We have acheived single authentication for the MLE, VLE and SIS; however, not single sign-on. |
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Being vigorously pursued via LDAP with NT SAM integration. |
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For staff using Microsoft tools currently web delivered or through CITRIX Web
uPortal for MLE |
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GIMIS is currently accessed via a portal. The portal differs in content between staff and student users. |
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INSIDE at St Andrews has produced a Module Management System which integrates some VLE and MLE
functionality and provides role-based user-centric portals, with resepct to modules, for students and staff.
Central Services provide a scheme, solely for staff, called the Data Warehouse. This takes 24-hourly
updates from SITS and organises the student record and module data into a presentable format. The
Data Warehouse presents the same interface to all users. |
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UEA uses "portals" in a variety of contexts; in the Library, UEA is using MetaLib as a portal to all Library
resources, and, also provides links to other JISC-created subject portals (eg. AHDS, BIOME). UEA is
reviewing its corporate information strategy but is committed to supporting MARTINI as a student
information portal in future. |
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SMILE is accessed via the my.sunderland portal. Content can be targetted to Staff, Students and
individual users. |
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We have institutional and technological vision. Some self-developed systems although not a portal.
Happy to have wider discussion in this subject area. |
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Currently upgrading:
Academic database (programmes and modules)
Research database
Project database |
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HEMIS is hosted by Oracle 8i FacilityCMIS is hosted by Microsoft Access
Novell network but plans to migrate to Win2000/ADS |
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Students, (Fulltime/ Part time) 6,500 / 400
Academic Staff (FTE) 500
Academic Related staff - ITS, MIS,... 450
Academic Units e.g. Depts., Schools: 16
Admin. Units: Personnel, Registry... ~9
Admin/Service Databases ~10
Degree Programmes 850
Modules 1200
LTSN Subject Areas 16 out of 24
HE:FE % 100:0
Degree Awarding Body: St Andrews |
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The university's Dean of Students Office runs a website "Learning Links"
http://www.uea.ac.uk/menu/admin/dos/learnandstudyskills.html, to help students develop new skills and
build on their existing strengths, and to help them achieve their full academic potential - this is potential
link within MARTINI.
Generally, there is a profusion of web sites/intranets within UEA leading to a highly distributed "network"
of web-based information at UEA. |
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