Post on 18-Dec-2015
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Baylor University is…
• Located in Waco, Texas
• The oldest institution of higher learning in the state, founded in 1845
• Affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas
• The largest Baptist University in the world
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
The Mission of the University
To educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment with a caring community.
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Other Baylor Info:
• 13,719 students in Fall 2000
• Emphasis on undergraduate education
• Highly ranked Law School
• George W. Truett Seminary
• 1,700+ fulltime faculty and staff
• Only private school in Big 12 athletic conference
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Campus Technology Organization
Information Technology Services
IT Business Affairs
Inform ation M anagem ent System s System s & Netw orks
Inform ation System s & Services Distributed System s & Services
Academ ic Technology Center Student Technology Services
Dr. Reagan Ram sow erAsst VP and CIO
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Changes in Progress
• Windows 2000 implementation
• IIS Web server
• Internet Explorer browser
• Outlook mail client
• Exchange e-mail & calendaring system
• SQL Server departmental databases
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Other Campus IT Stuff
• Wired dorms
• AirBear
• Computer labs
• Internet filtering
• Student kiosks
• Technology classrooms
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Baylor Information Systems
• IBM OS/390, DB2
• AIX, Oracle
• COBOL, C, SQL
• Crystal Reports, FOCUS
• SCT, PeopleSoft, Diebold, Paciolan, Noel-Levitz, etc.
• Web services
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Anarchy is the stepping stone to absolute power.
- Napoleon I
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
A Little History
• Late 1980’s needed online directory– VSAM SIS on IBM mainframe– Homegrown CODASYL HRS on Honeywell– Had to have data from both
• Created COBOL extract/load programs
• Loaded indexed file in VMS on VAX
• New campus ID card system
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
More History
• 1991 conversion to Rdb Person Database
• Administrative Information Systems upgraded & converted
• Person Database enhanced as needed
• Person Database converted from Rdb to Oracle
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
The Database
• Oracle 7.3.4 (soon 8.1.6)• AIX Unix on 8-way RS/6000 J50• Shares server with SCT Banner HRS & ADS• Stores these categories of data:
– Personal info– Class enrollment info– Validation/rule info– Authorization info for faculty evaluation &
advisement data access
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Database Processing
• Nightly updates 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.– From SIS (SCT Plus2000, DB2)– From Housing (Homegrown, DB2)– From HRS (SCT Banner, Oracle)– From ID System (Diebold ICAM, RMS)
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Database Processing(continued)• Nightly updates 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
– To E-mail System– To Library System– To Student Life Center System– To ID System– To LDAP files– To Kerberos– To other stuff
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
SIS ADS (DB2) Housing HRS (Oracle) (DB2) (Oracle) Campus ID System FUTURE
Web Apps White Pages E-Mail Web Directory Accounts Library BearAdvice Patron Faculty Evaluations File E-Mail Forwarding Directory Info. Rlse. Course Schedule Student Life Ctr File Ad hoc e-mail address books E-mail LDAP load Authentication LDAP load Network ID creation Kerberos load Course catalog file Active Directory load E-business support Additional Web applications FUTURE
Person Database Processing Flowchart
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
When a new “person” added:
• Nine digit PID created
• Network ID (Bear ID) created
• Initial settings for ID System determined
• Initial settings for directory information release flags established…
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Directory Information Release Flags
Maintained for these data items:Name Salutation
Suffix E-mail
Dorm address Dorm phone
Local address Local phone
Perm address Perm phone
Classification Major
Office address Office phone
Home address Home phone
Employee type Job/Position
Web homepage Picture
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Values for Information Release Flags:
• N - No Access
• B - Baylor business (employee) access only
• C - Campus (employee & student) access only
• I - Open Internet access
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Also when Person Database updated:
• Person’s changing role with the University updated…– Admittee– Student– Faculty– Staff– Auxiliary personnel– Special (exception)– Alumni (planned for future)
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Class Info by Term
• Includes all critical data fields (bldg, room, time, instructor(s), max, etc.)
• Supports printed & Web class schedules
• Enrollments loaded daily, or twice daily
• Supports Web applications
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
The Person Database is centralized point of creation of a unique network ID.
This Bear ID is username for…– e-mail– calendaring– most Web applications– network access
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Nightly files from Person Database flow to:
LabLog E-mail
Kerberos (e-mail) Kerberos (fac/staff dial-in)
Library System Student Life Center System
ID System Mainframe authorization database
LDAP (e-mail) LDAP (authentication)
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Regular and ad hoc batch jobs run from the Person Database.
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Web Applications Supported
• Web Directory
• Web White Pages
• Information Release
• Resnet Signup
• E-mail Forwarding
• BearAdvice
• Chapel Attendance
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Web Apps (continued)
• Electronic Forms• IT Seminars• Web for Employees• Set PIN• Faculty Evaluations• Course Listings• Electronic Grade Submission• PL/SQL routines
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Plans Include…
• Extension of network IDs to alumni
• Active Directory support
• Additional e-business & Web applications
• “My Baylor” student portal
• Conversion of Student Information System
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
Biggest Day-to-Day Issues
• Coordination & timing of jobs & file transfers
• ID changes in SIS & HRS
• New critical field values
• Term rollover coordination
• Research of questions
Integrating Disparate Systems to Support the Online Campus
alumni
parents
students
prospects
faculty
contractors
donors
staff
retirees