In the push to improve student performance, two universities institute comprehensive, data-driven systems to assess their departments.
Managing myriad institutional goals and objectives is complicated. Dashboard software can provide top-level metrics at a glance, with easy access to more detailed data below the surface.
While it would be naïve to think that every CIO can achieve such a rapport with his CFO, understanding the importance of a solid relationship with the head of finance is critical to success, both for the IT department and the institution as a whole. Never has this been truer than in today's bleak economy, as CFOs become increasingly cautious about initiatives that involve significant expense, yet information technology can help achieve efficiencies that will improve the bottom line.
The University of South Carolina has embarked on an ambitious ERP project that will bring the institution's IT infrastructure out of the dark ages.
Blackboard has expanded its forays outside of its traditional academic realm by entering into the territory of administrative operations with the announcement of a new set of data analytics applications. The news comes just weeks after Blackboard quietly acquired iStrategy, a private company focused on data warehousing and business intelligence for higher education.
The University of Central Florida has is wrapping up a multi-year implementation of new enterprise applications that includes a combination of Oracle software and Sun hardware to streamline its administrative processes and help manage student growth.
Hobsons, which sells ApplyYourself, will be offering its higher education customers Turnitin for Admissions, plagiarism detection software from iParadigms, as part of its admissions and enrollment management package.
eProcurement systems are designed to streamline purchasing processes, eliminate paperwork, and make it easy for end users to get the best values through spending on-contract. Yet the relative success of eProcurement at any institution often depends on how the procurement department works not only with the technology, but also with the end users in academic departments, in research programs, or elsewhere in the university or system.
Boston University is employing a Web-based application from Blackbaud to support a major fundraising effort.
TCS Education System will be adopting an online student health and wellness program intended to reduce attrition related to health issues.