Union College Information Technology Services
Administrative Computing - COMING ATTRACTIONS FOR THIS YEAR
Presented by Dave R. to Administrative Computing Steering Committee, September 5, 2002

- Security -

1. SECURITY - Due to the increasing number of viruses and network security attacks, we will secure staff computer traffic by installing software that encrypts your data transmissions. This software will be installed on every administrative computer. We are also moving staff to virus protected mail systems such as Outlook and will also configure the virus protection software on your computers to update automatically for you.

- Web Development -

2. WEBADVISOR - System that makes Datatel information available via the web has enhancements coming, and additional features for faculty are being implemented this term.

3. BENADVISOR - A second web system, that makes some alumni information available to staff via the web. Initial testing has begun.

4. WEB WIZARD - This new tool will be tested to develop systems which allow web access to administrative information.

- New Systems -

5. SEVIS - Have to use a new reporting system to meet requirements for providing information about foreign students to federal government electronically. [See Washington Post article on SEVIS. - JDK]

6. COLLEAGUE 17 - Financial aid updates on current Colleague 16 will cease in June, 03. Not another conversion but not just a regular upgrade either. It is a large upgrade but most changes relate to data and file structures. The module that is most affected is Human Resources (which we don't own).

7. SCHEDULING - We are implementing a new, campus-wide, central scheduling system. We expect this to be a large project, taking about a year to fully implement. Requires new computer hardware and software, which we are beginning to install.

- Infrastructure Maintenance -

8. UPGRADES - The Colleague and Benefactor upgrade plan is for 4 times per year: August - November - February - May, first Wednesday of the month, occurring between 6 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. We will make adjustments when necessary.

The effort required to keep all our hardware and software systems current has grown significantly, and consumes more staff resources.

BIG ADMINISTRATIVE COMPUTING ISSUES: 2003 - 2006

1. The main computer ALICE is already 4 years old, and will need to be replaced.

The ALICE computer is seeing a steady increase in use due to an increasing number of users and the installation of added systems and features, like WebAdvising, BenefactorAdvising, WebWizard, Datatel enhancements, etc...

The industry standard for replacing computers is generally 3-4 years. ALICE will be 5 years old next summer. The proposed strategic plan would be:

Select new Alice hardware - July/August/Sept 2003 Request budget funds - October 2003 Begin conversion to new ALICE - July 2004

The current ALICE is from Compaq, which has merged with Hewlett-Packard. The replacement computer will require a conversion to new hardware and a new operating system, whichever vendor is chosen.

2. Our current financial system's hardware (the HP) and software system (Bi-Tech) will not be supported after December, 2006.

Hewlett-Packard will no longer support our current HP3000 computer and MPE operating system as of December, 2006. Consequently, Bi-Tech will no longer support our current HP/MPE version of their financial software as of December, 2006. The proposed strategic plan would be:

Select finance option - July/August/Sept 2004 Request budget funds - October 2004 Begin conversion to new system - July 2005

The replacement system must be implemented AND operational no later than December, 2006. This is a very large project.