VIII. Administrative Computing continued
{"Image DocumentName": "VIII. Administrative Computing continued", "Image ImageDescription": "Administrative computing systems are essential to the efficient and effective operations at UMES. Along with business processes, these systems must provide University personnel with accurate financial, human resource, and academic management information. This information supports planning and decision making, meeting contractual/legal/ethical obligations, provides necessary control and oversight, and enhances productivity. The Student Information System, labeled by many as the University\u2019s central nervous system, is considered a critical UMES system. The following provides a high-level assessment of the University\u2019s current administrative systems and recommended strategies for future improvements. Current Environment. Financial Management System: UMES uses the University of Maryland College Park\u2019s (UMCP) FRS system to handle its financial management computing needs. Since this is currently a standalone system, all financial data is inputted by UMES personnel via desktops using WRQ Reflections terminal server software. In order to create financial reports, UMES administrators use a report writer application called ProWeb to access a UMCP-created Oracle data warehouse. Although not currently accessible, another report writer called Focus is obtainable from UMCP that directly accesses the FRS mainframe computer. Currently, there have been no requests for IT support regarding tailored financial reports. Student Systems. Student Information System (SIS): Replacing a non Year 2000 compliant application, the SIS was implemented in December 1999 and has caused a significant backlog of support requests. Issues include lost reporting capabilities, data inaccuracies, and other functionality related problems. Developed by the Computing Options Company (COCO), the University\u2019s SIS application is written in COBOL and runs on a HP 3000E mainframe computer with a MPE Operating System. Users access SIS via desktop computers and Reflections terminal server software, and they view ASCII menus that are tailored based on security profiles. Data is stored in a hierarchical image SQL compliant database that was supplied with the HP 3000E system. The SIS application contains the following modules of functionality: Grades, Degree Audit, Advisement, Curriculum Management, Admissions, Registration, and Housing. To date, neither the Degree Audit nor the Advisement modules have been used due to system problems. Since the current SIS only contains approximately half of the previous system\u2019s reports, IT staff are developing a data warehouse to provide custom or user generated reports. UMES recently contracted with COCO to enhance their SIS product based on a list of unfulfilled user requirements. All of the COCO software modifications are expected by September 2000.", "Image XResolution": "37", "Image YResolution": "37", "Image ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Centimeter", "Image Software": "SlidePlayer", "Image YCbCrPositioning": "Centered"}