Original - Survey Questions to I.S. Directors
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they used it?
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current package? Why
did they change?
3.
What personnel do your institution employee to support I.S. functions? What are
their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are covered in the
positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and starting salaries.
Director of Information Services
Assistant Director of I.S. (Systems Programmer)
Senior Programmer
Mainframe Operator
Telecommunications/Network Administrator
Hardware Technician III
Hardware Technician II
Help Center Coordinator
Telephone/Mail Clerk
Computer Lab Assistants (4)
Web Manager
4.
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software conversion and
afterward support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer, and Mainframe
Operator. What was your institution’s personnel requirement for the conversion
phase? The afterward support? Please include all positions in other
departments that may perform I.S. type duties.
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your software
system?
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing?
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system support?
What is the cost for this?
8.
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each user?
What is the annual maintenance cost?
9.
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about for
Federal and State reporting requirements?
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost associated
with this?
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)?
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall?
13.
Comments.
Angelina - Survey Questions
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they used it?
- POISE
- 10 months
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current package? Why
did they change?
- In-house developed package
- Could not keep up with: changes for federal and states reports, new
requirements of the administration, etc.
3
What personnel do your institution employee to support IS. Functions? What are
Their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are covered in the
positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and starting salaries.
Director
Systems Analyst/Network Coordinator
Network Technician/Communications Technician
Network Technician
Lab Technicians (5)
4.
45,000 - 60,000
38,000 - 55,000
20,000 - 34,000
8.50 per hour
7.50 per hour
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software conversion and afterward
support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer, and Mainframe Operator. What was your
institution’s personnel requirement for the conversion phase? The afterward support?
Please include all positions in other departments that may perform I.S. type
duties.
- Systems Analyst/Network Coordinator
- Network and Communications Technician
- Network Technician
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your software
system?
- Slow process
- Not everyone was receptive of new “way”
- Software vendor know-it-all attitude
- Limited documentation
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing?
-
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system support?
What is the cost for this?
-
8.
Vendor’s service and support are not timely
included in annual maintenance cost
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each user?
What is the annual maintenance cost?
-
9.
yes
no
no
236,000
no
30,000
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about for
Federal and State reporting requirements?
- not enough time to determine
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost associated
with this?
-
Digital Alpha 1000A
About 48,000 of the total cost (236,000), includes operating system,
printers, software for connecting 30 pcs, etc.
3 years of annual hardware maintenance is also included in total cost
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)?
- No
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall?
- system is behind firewall during normal day to day operation, but is
manually switched to outside of the firewall for off-campus registration—
about five days per semester. Permanently outside the firewall are the
DNS and web server.
13.
Comments.
Do your homework:
- Identify user needs and requirements for software—don’t take other
institution’s or the vendor’s “word”
- Shop around—be sure to look at other packages and test them
- Keep users involved
- In this case, the “written” word is much better than the “spoken” word.
It prevents “convenient amnesia”, e.g., I don’t remember you (or me)
saying… .
- Carefully review all paper work
Cisco - Survey Questions
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they used it?
POISE – for almost 20 years now.
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current package? Why
did they change?
I believe it was a home grown system and the college simply outgrew it.
3.
What personnel do your institution employee to support I.S. functions? What are
their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are covered in the
positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and starting salaries.
Director of Computer Services
48,000
PC Technician
PC Technician
22,500
23,500
4.
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software conversion and
afterward support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer, and Mainframe
Operator. What was your institution’s personnel requirement for the conversion phase?
The afterward support? Please include all positions in other departments that may
perform I.S. type duties.
The Director of Computer Services is the sole support for POISE modules. I converted
another institution and was the sole conversion person.
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your software
system?
This is my third institution to utilize POISE modules. I have had excellent experience at
all three. Conversions have gone smoothly and help is always close at hand if needed.
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing?
Yes, training was provided. It was adequate and there is continued training if needed.
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system support?
What is the cost for this?
We pay an annual maintenance cost for support and program updates. Cost is quite
reasonable and is on a per module basis.
8.
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each user?
What is the annual maintenance cost?
The cost is a per module purchased. The number of users is irrelevant.
9.
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about for
Federal and State reporting requirements?
Yes, we receive updates. CBM has been a thorn lately when it comes to timely. The
information is not dispersed from the state is a very timely manner.
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost associated
with this?
Our system runs on a VAX 4100, and we plan to convert to an Alpha machine in the near
future. We purchase our software and hardware maintenance contracts through the state.
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)?
Our software does not allow for web-based access, but the solution does exist. We plan
to convert in the near future.
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall?
Not an issue at this time.
13.
Comments.
The POISE product is a great product. I would be willing to furnish any
additional information that you may need.
Galveston - Survey Questions
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they used it?
GC uses PeopleSoft – we went live on Financials on 9/1/99 and will go live on
HR on 1/1/2000. Prior to going to PeopleSoft we used ABT for Financials and
outsourced our payroll to ADP. We have a home-grown Student Admin system
and will probably go live on PeopleSoft Student Admin in late 2000 or
Spring/Summer 2001.
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current package? Why
did they change?
See #1 for previous packages. We changed because of Y2K issues and for better
functionality.
3.
What personnel do your institution employee to support I.S. functions? What are
their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are covered in the
positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and starting salaries.
Galveston College structure:
Director of Information Services & PeopleSoft Project
Manager
Assistant Director of I.S. (Network Manager)
PeopleSoft DBA (NT &SQL server)
PeopleSoft Financials & HR analyst
PeopleSoft Student Admin analyst
Instructional Support Analyst
Help Desk/Hardware Tech
4.
62,500
50,000
44,000
43,000
43,000
41,000
20,000
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software conversion and
afterward support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer, and Mainframe
Operator. What was your institution’s personnel requirement for the conversion
phase? The afterward support? Please include all positions in other
departments that may perform I.S. type duties.
See above list. We have 3 people totally dedicated to the care & feeding of
PeopleSoft.
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your software
system?
This was a MAJOR task – GC was on of the first community colleges in the
country to go live on this software, but we did it.
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing?
Training units are part of the software acquisition from PeopleSoft. End-user
training is the College’s responsibility. Training was adequate for the IT
personnel but functional personnel did not need that much setup and configuration
knowledge. Actual end-user functional training was acquired from consultants.
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system support?
What is the cost for this? End user support is good. The cost is approximately
18% of the purchase price.
8.
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each user?
What is the annual maintenance cost? Purchase price was approximately
$500,000 and annual maintenance cost is $94,000.
9.
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about for
Federal and State reporting requirements? Yes, Yes
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost associated
with this? 2 – Compaq Proliant 6000’s with 100 GB disk storage and 1.1 GB
RAM, running NT and MS SQL Server – approx $40,000 in cost.
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)? Yes
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall?
Everything we do goes through our firewall.
13.
Comments.
Lee - Survey Questions
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they used it?
Cobol-based registration system and Bi-tech Financials. Over Ten Years
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current package? Why
did they change? We are still using the same packages. We are planning to
migrate to PeopleSoft. We changed to provide greater flexibility in reporting
and better quality data analysis, student tracking as well as a better
registration system.
3.
What personnel do your institution employee to support I.S. functions? What are
their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are covered in the
positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and starting salaries.
You will have to get this information from Personnel. We are not the department
responsible for providing salary information.
4.
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software conversion and
afterward support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer, and Mainframe
Operator. What was your institution’s personnel requirement for the conversion
phase? The afterward support? Please include all positions in other
departments that may perform I.S. type duties. Everyone on campus will be
involved in the conversion process. Afterwards we hope to have data liaisons
to work with faculty and staff on reporting and other data issues in both the
financial and student records areas.
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your software
system? We have not done it yet. Our Board of Regents just made the
decision last month.
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing? They will.
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system support?
What is the cost for this? N/A
8.
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each user?
What is the annual maintenance cost? Pricing will depend upon the software
package you select.
9.
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about for
Federal and State reporting requirements? They will.
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost associated
with this? Client/Server - Windows NT SQL Servers
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)? YES
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall? Screening
13.
Comments.
College of the Mainland - Survey Questions
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they used it?
We use an integrated package from Computing Options Corporation that we
purchased in December 1995. It includes accounting, purchasing, payroll, human
resources, financial aid, credit & non-credit student records, and capital assets.
(website at www.computingoptions.com)
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current package? Why
did they change? We had a financial package (accounting/payroll) from CEI and
all other software consisted of in-house COBOL & RPG programs. We
recognized a need to increase programming staff in order to upgrade existing
programs (including y2k issues) or pursue outside software. The administration
was also concerned about the institution’s dependence on individuals in Computer
Services to know everything about the system. We were instructed to search for
software that would run on our existing hardware (HP3000) and meet all our
needs through one vendor. (we didn’t find many who met that criteria!)
3.
What personnel do your institution employee to support I.S. functions? What are
their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are covered in the
positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and starting salaries.
Associate Dean of Information Services (currently vacant)
Systems Analyst
Systems Analyst (70% time)
Systems Analyst (80% time)
Network Engineer
Computer Operator/Network Administrator
Computer Operator
PC Technician
Computer Support Specialist
Computer Support Specialist/Webmaster (50%)
Secretary/Help Desk
$40,317
$36,105
$25,274
$28,884
$36,105
$28,082
$25,126
$28,082
$28,082
$14,041
$22,170
We have 4.5 Lab assistants who worked in instructional labs and are paid through
instructional budgets. Their starting salary is $25,126.
Note : the part-time systems analysts work part-time at their own request
4.
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software conversion and
afterward support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer, and Mainframe
Operator. What was your institution’s personnel requirement for the conversion
phase? The afterward support? Please include all positions in other
departments that may perform I.S. type duties.
Our conversion involved primarily the systems analysts (there were only 2 at the
time) and the director/associate dean. In our contract with the vendor, we
specified that they would provide the conversion programs to load our existing
data into the new databases because we had such a small staff. The afterward
support is still provided by the systems analysts. Personnel in other departments
use the software, but don’t really perform I.S. type duties.
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your software
system?
It would be hard to describe everything. Some things went extremely well and
others did not. Each module had an analyst assigned to work on it and we
implemented one module at a time. We put some thought into what time of year
would be best to do a conversion. For instance, we wanted to bring up payroll
early in the year but after W2’s were finalized so we chose March. We needed to
avoid doing major conversions during peak times like beginning of Fall semester
and end of fiscal year. Since we had the vendor write the conversion programs,
sometimes their idea of adequate conversion differed from ours. We did several
test conversions before we were satisfied with the data. We did use a parallel
system for one month in the financial area and one semester in student records.
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing?
The vendor did provide training on-site to our personnel for $1000 per day. Some
of it was good and some was terrible. We found several items to be very
important. First, you must time the training to closely coincide with the actual
implementation. Several times we had training too early and the users forgot
everything before they could begin to use it. We also found the most helpful
training to include our real data. Working with demo and test data sometimes is
okay, but working with the real stuff helped identify some problems and helped
the users write some of their own “real” documentation that they could use daily.
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system support?
What is the cost for this?
Our support is very good concerning questions and reporting problems.
Comparing our current vendor to our previous financial software vendor, our
current one is miles above. For the first few years, we could call and speak
directly to the programmer for a particular module. Most of the time they could
answer the question immediately or fix the problem quickly. During the last year
they have installed a voice mail system that answers most of the time and you
leave messages. They also accept email messages directly to the programmers
and they respond very well. We have given them a dial-up modem number and
security passwords so that they can access our system and check on any issues
that we report. They can also transfer new versions of software over the modem.
We pay about $60,000 per year for support which includes a prepaid maintenance
plus option. This option includes 20 days of on-site training, or 300 hours of
custom programming.
8.
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each user?
What is the annual maintenance cost?
The original cost for the software was $200,000. Original training costs were
about $60,000, and we paid $42,000 for Computing Options to create TASP/State
reporting programs. As stated above, the current maintenance cost is about
$60,000 including some pre-paid training & custom programming, and about
$40,000 without the prepaid option. We have purchased a few additional modules
since the original purchase.
9.
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about for
Federal and State reporting requirements?
We receive at least one update per year for each major module. They have an
annual users conference in the spring which allows users to submit requests for
enhancements. After the conference all users are able to vote for enhancements
and the vendor completes enhancements to the software based on the priorities of
the users. Periodically throughout the year, we receive updates to correct
problems or to address new federal requirements. When we are notified of state
reporting changes, we forward those to our vendor. Since they are based in
Maryland and don’t have many Texas customers, we usually have to explain to
them what changes will need to be made in the software. The programs are
written in Cobol and we do have copies of the source, so we can look at the
program source to recommend changes. So far, these changes have been covered
under our annual maintenance costs. But, we suspect any BIG changes or new
reports would probably bring a quote from our vendor for additional cost.
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost associated
with this?
We run on a Hewlett-Packard 3000 minicomputer with MPE/ix operating system.
We just upgraded our hardware last year at a cost of about $100,000. Users use
their pc or mac machines to access the HP using our network.
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)?
We installed telephone registration, payment, grade checking, & financial aid
checking over a year ago and are planning to install web-based application and
course inquiry in Spring 2000. Web-based registration is planned for late Fall
2000.
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall?
I’m not an expert on this item and we’re not heavily into Internet traffic yet. But,
we do have a couple of people who access our HP through the Internet and go
through our firewall. Currently, we have our system setup to allow certain IP
addresses and they must successfully navigate the logon procedures of our HP
security. The web-based products will run through a NT server.
13.
Comments.
This is a big undertaking. Don’t let administration rush you. Our
administration pushed us to try to implement all modules within six months. That
was totally unrealistic. It actually took almost 2 years to fully implement all parts.
Make sure that everyone on campus understands the changes that will
occur when going from a customized system to a third-party software package.
Your users are used to a system that works exactly the way they want it to. They
will be going to a system that is written to work the way other schools do
business. This may be totally different than the way you have done things in the
past. The users need to be willing to change the way they do things to work
within the new system.
Try to make a concerted effort to not perform customized changes to the
system. It is very difficult to try to keep track of changes you have made when
the vendor sends an upgrade.
Try to get the user areas to take responsibility for their software,
specifically related to table entries. Most third party software relies heavily on
table entries to turn on/off different functions that are wanted by some schools but
not others. It is very helpful for each user area to understand how these table
entries affect the system. This gives them the “power” to make the system work
the way they want it to.
Try to get each area to write their own user guide. Most vendor manuals
are not written on a user level. If there is no user guide, then someone has to train
every new person who is hired.
Don’t get discouraged! The first couple of years will be very stressful, but
then things begin to look up!
Midland - Survey Questions
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they used it?
We use POISE. We have used it 16 years in our fiscal office for 9 years in
registration and 5 years in personnel
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current package? Why
did they change?
We used in-house programs prior to POISE. We were unable to staff at a
level adequate for support of in-house programs
3.
What personnel do your institution employee to support I.S. functions? What are
their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are covered in the
positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and starting salaries.
Dean of Information Technology
Computer Systems Administrator
Telecommunications/Network Administrator
Database Administrator
Programmer
(2)
PC/Network Technician
(2)
Information Technology Facilitator
4.
60,000
30,000
30,000
28,000
25,000
25,000
15,000
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software conversion and
afterward support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer, and Mainframe
Operator. What was your institution’s personnel requirement for the conversion
phase? The afterward support? Please include all positions in other
departments that may perform I.S. type duties.
Two of my staff and two vendor employees performed our recent migration
to the Alpha from the VAX. We have several IT part-time positions for
various responsibilities at differing locations.
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your software
system?
It occurred prior to my assumption of this position. However, I am told it
has always gone smoothly.
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing?
The vendor provides one on-site training session for each application.
Additional training is available at a cost. We have found the included on-site
training to be adequate. Training is provided any time a major revision is
performed or a new application is added.
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system support?
What is the cost for this?
We are very pleased with the user and system support. The cost of this
support is bundled in the maintenance agreement. Our cost is @
$30K/annum.
8.
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each user?
What is the annual maintenance cost?
I elect to not quote prices for the vendor. Pricing is done primarily for each
CPU. See #7 for maintenance cost.
9.
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about for
Federal and State reporting requirements?
Yes. As you know the CBM reports change every time a legislator thinks
about it. The vendor is very good at incorporating reporting and regulation
changes in a timely fashion.
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost associated
with this?
We currently run on a $50K DEC Alpha running VMS-7.2.
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)?
Yes. We plan to implement web based admissions and registration in the next
fiscal year
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall?
Sorry, I will not discuss security in this venue.
13.
Comments.
Northeast Texas - Survey Questions
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they used it?
POISE (Campus America) Since 1993-1994
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current package? Why
did they change? Not known. It was on a IBM mainframe.
3.
What personnel do your institution employee to support I.S. functions? What are
their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are covered in the
positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and starting salaries.
We currently are looking to change the structure of our IS. However we have had
in the past, a Director of Computer Services $38,800. A part time person was used
for help in maintaining the PC's on campus. We have a computer lab technician
that maintains our computer labs $22,200.
4.
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software conversion and
afterward support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer, and Mainframe
Operator. What was your institution’s personnel requirement for the conversion
phase? The afterward support? Please include all positions in other
departments that may perform I.S. type duties.
I believe most of the burden
of conversion fell on the Individual departments using the software. There was
very good response from ESP, our software vendor. We are under a maintenance
contract and their help is instrumental in our maintaining the software and
meeting our changing needs.
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your software
system?
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing?
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system support?
What is the cost for this?
Excellent. Included in annual charge below. Documentation leaves something to
be desired.
8.
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each user?
What is the annual maintenance cost?
Not sure of original cost. Annual maintenance is $24000. Based on number of
Modules we are using.
9.
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about for
Federal and State reporting requirements?
YES Most important they are on top of any reporting changes needed i.e. recent
Hope Scholarship requirements, THECB requirements. They are in a number of
Texas colleges.
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost associated
with this?
Compact (formerly Digital) alpha server.
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)? I believe it is available but we have not purchased it.
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall?
13.
Comments. We are a school of about 2000 students per semester. Our resources
are limited.
Survey Questions
Tarrant County College
Fort Worth, Texas
11/15/99
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they used it?
Tarrant County College is currently using software written in-house. We are
also in the process of looking at RFPS for commercial systems.
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current package? Why
did they change?
Always been in-house.
3.
What personnel do your institution employee to support I.S. functions? What are
their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are covered in the
positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and starting salaries.
Director of Information Services
4.
69,300
Assistant Director of I.S. (Systems Programmer)
Senior Programmer
Mainframe Operator
64,680
37,816
24,378
Telecommunications/Network Administrator
Hardware Technician III
Hardware Technician II
44,431
37,816
Help Center Coordinator
Telephone/Mail Clerk
Computer Lab Assistants (4)
34,729
19,873
10,712
Web Manager
44,431
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software conversion and
afterward support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer, and Mainframe
Operator. What was your institution’s personnel requirement for the conversion
phase? The afterward support? Please include all positions in other
departments that may perform I.S. type duties.
We have not made these decisions at this point.
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your software
system?
N/A
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing?
N/A
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system support?
What is the cost for this?
N/A
8.
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each user?
What is the annual maintenance cost?
N/A
9.
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about for
Federal and State reporting requirements?
N/A
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost associated
with this?
Our in-house systems run on an IBM mainframe (9672)
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)?
Yes
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall?
13.
Comments.
Trinity Valley - Survey Questions
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they
used it?
All done in-house
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current
package? Why
did they change?
Admin software has been in-house for last 25 years.
3.
What personnel do your institution employee to support I.S. functions?
What are
their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are covered
in the
positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and starting
salaries.
We have 4 IS personnel. I've identified them with salaries in () as close to
yours as
they relate.
Director of Information Services
(54,800)
Assistant Director of I.S. (Systems Programmer)
Senior Programmer (49,900)
Mainframe Operator (27,700)
Telecommunications/Network Administrator
(60,000)
4.
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software
conversion and afterward support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer,
and Mainframe Operator. What was your institution’s personnel requirement for
the conversion phase? The afterward support? Please include all positions in
other departments that may perform I.S. type duties.
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your
software system?
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other
college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing?
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system
support? What is the cost for this?
8.
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each
user? What is the annual maintenance cost?
9.
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about
for Federal and State reporting requirements?
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost
associated with this?
IBM AS/400 Model 170
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)?
working on this
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall?
13.
Network USER IDs and Passwords
Comments.
Vernon - Survey Questions
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they used it?
POISE: We began installing POISE modules Fall 1998.
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current package? Why
did they change?
In-house AS/400 programs in RPG.
AS/400 needed major upgrade to allow Y2K compliant version of OS.
Our programs were old and it was time to rethink system design and
probably redesign and reprogram all of the Student Records system.
Evaluated options and decided to go with POISE. One of the main factors in
this decision was the number of Texas community colleges who were already
using this software.
3.
What personnel do your institution employee to support I.S. functions?
What are their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are
covered in the positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and
starting salaries.
VRJC:
Director of Computer Services
Network Manager
PC Specialist
4.
49,600
30,000
23,000
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software conversion and
afterward support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer, and Mainframe
Operator. What was your institution’s personnel requirement for the conversion
phase? The afterward support? Please include all positions in other
departments that may perform I.S. type duties.
Only the Director of Computer Services was involved, although the Network
Manager did provide some hardware support .
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your software
system?
We worked with ESP-Tulsa in our purchase and installation of POISE. (Call
David Hamlin, ESP, 918-437-4920 ext. 212). They are a terrific group and
came onsite to install each module and provide training. The person who
installs and provides training for a module is the same person who provides
telephone support, modifications, etc. We are on a first name basis with all
of them. These people sound too good to be true, but they are dedicated to
service and I have not been disappointed.
As with any conversion, it was not entirely painless. However the ESP folks
have continued to work with us and things are going well.
I always spoiled my users, adding features to programs to make their life
easier, and many of them miss their AS/400 and whine sometimes. In the
long run, I am confident that they will accept that POISE is better choice for
our future. I have run a one-person shop for most of my time at VRJC and
finally feel like I can take a vacation without worrying about everything
falling apart.
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing?
Training is thorough but rather fast and sometimes too much information is presented in
too short a time. The manuals are decent. The telephone support for ongoing
training is excellent. In addition there are POISE users groups.
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system support?
What is the cost for this?
Level of support is good.
8.
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each
user? What is the annual maintenance cost?
Price is based on modules. Our total so far is around $160,000.
I believe our support costs are about $30,000 annually. We are continuing to
add modules, and some are still under warranty. Annual cost is based on a
percentage of module price. I am pleased with user support.
9.
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about for
Federal and State reporting requirements?
There is a person at ESP who has the function of keeping up with the
Coordinating Board reports for Texas and keeping all of the program
changes done. He does a good job, and this was one task I was certainly glad
to get rid of. Yes, our updates are timely.
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost associated
with this?
DEC Alpha Server, Open VMS.
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)?
Yes, but we have not installed that module. Will probably do so in the
future.
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall?
The only issue so far was allowing ESP personnel to telnet/ftp to the DEC Alpha server,
which is behind the firewall. I made a routing change to permit one IP address to
come through.
Have not yet addressed issue of web based access with relation to firewall.
13.
Comments.
If you have any questions about POISE or our conversion, I would be happy
to talk to you. My phone number is 940-552-6291 ext. 2242 and my name is
Chris Slosser.
The information in my response to this survey is for your use only. I would
prefer not to see my comments quoted or distributed.
By the way, are you aware of TACCCIO? We do have an organization. The
IS manager at the host school chairs the program and decides the agenda.
We meet several times per year.
Wharton - Survey Questions
1.
What software package does your institution use? How long have they used it?
Wharton County Junior College uses an in-house student records and payroll system
written in COBOL and PowerHouse, utilizing the Image database on the HP-3000 from
Hewlett-Packard. For accounting, we use the Mitchell Humphrey FMS-80 software
package, also running on the HP-3000. The student records system was installed in 1980.
The Mitchell Humphrey accounting package was installed in 1991.
2.
What software package did your institution use before the current package? Why
did they change? Student records – none. Accounting – the ACE accounting
package from the state of Ohio. It was not designed for our needs.
3.
What personnel do your institution employee to support I.S. functions? What are
their starting salaries? All of Temple College’s I.S. functions are covered in the
positions listed below. Please list your comparable structure and starting salaries.
Director of Computer Services
Asst. Director of Computer Services
Systems Analyst
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmer
Network Manager
Microcomputer & Telecommunication Manager
Microcomputer Repair Technician
Microcomputer Repair Technician
Computer Operator/Help Desk
Computer Operations Manager
4.
57,000
40,401
49,401
45,401
46,067
45,400
38,067
27,800
21,725
22,050
43,400
The only personnel listed above that would be used for a software conversion and
afterward support is the Assistant Director, Senior Programmer, and Mainframe
Operator. What was your institution’s personnel requirement for the conversion
phase? The afterward support? Please include all positions in other
departments that may perform I.S. type duties.
Any conversion effort we might undertake would involve the Director of Computer
Services, the Systems Analyst, both programmers and the Computer Operations
Manager. A larger problem would be the lack of staffing in other offices undergoing the
conversion. The registrar’s office, financial aid, payroll and business office would have
great difficulty continuing the day-to-day operations while also installing and learning a
new system.
5.
What were your experiences with the installation and conversion of your software
system?
6.
Did the software vendor provide training to your staff as well as other college
personnel? Was it adequate? Is it ongoing?
7.
How is the level of service you receive for user support and system support?
What is the cost for this?
8.
What was the cost of the software package(s)? Is there a cost for each user?
What is the annual maintenance cost?
9.
Does the software vendor provide regular and timely updates? How about for
Federal and State reporting requirements?
10.
What hardware platform does your system run on? What is the cost associated
with this?
11.
Does your software currently allow for Web based access (Application,
Registration, and Payment)?
12.
How do you handle security for traffic outside your firewall?
13.
Comments.
Since we’ve not undertaken a large-scale conversion, I’m afraid I can’t help you with
several of your questions. We are also in the market for a software package and
anticipate beginning the search next February. I would be very interested in hearing
more about your search and its results.
There is a fledgling group, called the Texas Association of Community College Chief
Information Officers (TACCCIO) that meets two to three times a year. Their listserv is
tacccio-bounce@mserver.midland.cc.tx.us. I’ll forward the latest message to you.