REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
Minnesota State colleges and universities
(MnSCU) ITS (Information Technology
Services)
Business Intelligence Tools
and/or
Higher Education Data Model
DUE: August 20, 2015 @ 1:00 P.M. CST
Vendors should check the site daily (e.g. amendments, responses to questions)
and are expected to review information on the site carefully before submitting
a final proposal. http://www.csc.mnscu.edu/Sourcing/RFP.html
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I. STATEMENT OF NEED
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system is the sixth largest higher
education system in the U.S. and is comprised of 31 institutions with 54 campuses that serve
more than 430,000 students.
The purpose of this RFI is to gather information for possible a future RFP. The current need is to
gain market information for the following:
MnSCU’s system office in collaboration with campus partners is in the process of identifying the
scope and cost structure for business intelligence analytical reporting tools and higher education
data model. This team is gathering information from vendors who can deliver methodologies,
processes, architectures, and technologies that enable more effective strategic and tactical
insights for improved decision making.
NOTE: This RFI does not obligate MnSCU to purchase any goods or services.
II. RFI PROCESS
This section describes the process that the issuer of this Request for Information will follow in
this solicitation and expectations about the nature of the responses.
A. Issuance
The issuance date of this RFI is July 27, 2015.
B. Response Submittal
Each prospective responder can submit for either business intelligence analytical reporting tools
or higher education data models or both.
Format Response: In 15 pages or less without marketing materials, provide detailed responses to
the following questions:
Business Intelligence Tools
1. Identify the Business Intelligence Analytic Tools you have available.
2. Describe strategies or services that would assist MnSCU System in converting and
modernizing our existing Interactive Reporting (formerly Brio, Hyperion) report
objects, both shared and campus-specific report objects.
3. Identify an ETL platform that will bring together MnSCU’s enterprise data and 3rd
party data sources.
4. Provide two (2) examples of successful higher education implementations.
5. Describe the data visualization, data discovery, reporting, and analytic tools available
and also how these products specifically enable management to make better data
driven decisions.
6. Describe training opportunities (e.g. web, train the trainer)
7. Describe any features expected to be available within the next 6-12 months (may
include product timeline)
8. General cost structures and options for providing qualified service (e.g. subscription,
hosted, perpetual/concurrent licensing)
9. Contract Information.
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Higher Education Data Model
1. Describe your higher education data offering that may meet MnSCU’s needs.
2. How does the data model enhance the BI and Analytics initiatives
3. Describe strategies or services that would assist MnSCU System in converting and
modernizing our existing ODS tables and views, both shared and campus-specific
objects.
4. Identify an ETL platform that will bring together MnSCU’s enterprise data and 3rd
party data sources.
5. Describe the security options available.
6. Provide two (2) examples of successful higher education implementations.
7. Describe the data discovery options and how these products specifically enable
management to make better data driven decisions.
8. Describe training opportunities (e.g. web, train the trainer)
9. Describe any features expected to be available within the next 6-12 months (may
include product timeline)
10. General cost structures and options for providing qualified service (e.g. subscription,
hosted, perpetual/concurrent licensing)
11. Contract Information.
Each responder is requested to submit an electronic response in PDF or MS Word format along
with any attachments (no marketing material) on or before 1:00 P.M., CST on August 20, 2015
to: Kathy.Barta@so.mnscu.edu
NOTE: MnSCU is not liable for any costs incurred by Responders in developing the responses
directly or indirectly related to this Request for Information (RFI). Respondent is responsible for
all costs associated with creation of a response or any follow-up requests. All responses
submitted become the property of MnSCU.
III. Contacts
Questions and requests for additional information as well as submittal of RFI responses:
Kathy.Barta@so.mnscu.edu or 651-201-1613
IV. RFI Schedule
Issue RFI: July 27, 2015
Submittal of RFI response: August 20, 2015 @ 1:00 P.M. CST
V. Review of Responses
All responses received by the deadline will be reviewed by representatives of MnSCU. Because
of the nature of an RFI, there will be no response rating or formal determination of solution.
VI. Webinar with Script
Webinar product demonstration will be requested the week of September 8-11, 2015. Initial
target goal is to invite in three (3) responders, but MnSCU reserves the right to select one, none
or more of the responders to present a webinar (a timed presentation of 1 hour and 15 minutes in
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length with Q &A for 15 minutes in length). If a responder is selected that has both business
intelligence tools and a data model, the presentation is limited to 1 hour 45 minutes with Q &A
for 15 minutes. MnSCU reserves the right to have additional meetings with none, one or more of
the responders.
SCRIPT (Responder will need to time-manage the presentation if requested to present)
 Company Overview (No Marketing – Not a Sales Call)
 Describe Offering
o Show detailed functionality of offering
o Show how product can help make data driven decisions
 Describe ability to assist in conversion of existing reports/data objects
 Future product functionality timeline
 Training Opportunities
 General Cost Structure and Licensing/Subscription Models
 Q&A (15 minutes)
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