Automating Manual
Processes
Using the Blackboard Transaction System
Established in 1961, Southwestern College is one of 109 public
community colleges in the state of California and the only institute of
higher education located in the southern portion of San Diego
County. Its location—nestled between the City of San Diego and the
U.S.-Mexico international border on a 156-acre plot—positions it to
play an important role in the intellectual growth of the more than
400,000 residents that call South County home.
Serving approximately 20,000 students annually, Southwestern
College offers more than 285 associate degree and certificate
options. A host of noncredit courses designed to enhance personal
and professional development are also offered through the College’s
Continuing Education department.
Presenters
Bob Edelbrock, Ed.D., Dean Academic Information Services
bedelbrock@swc.cc.ca.us
Larry Lambert, Online Instructional Support Specialist
llambert@swc.cc.ca.us
This presentation will cover how and why
Southwestern College
partnered with
Blackboard and EFM
to develop the Positive Attendance
Tracking (PAT) system
Southwestern College utilized the
Blackboard Transaction System to
automate several manual systems and
processes which have resulted in:
• Cost savings
• Significant increase in revenue
• Improved customer service.
The college now has:
•Positive Attendance tracking system
•Pay-for-Print system
•Copier Management system
all fully integrated with the
Datatel Colleague system.
Background
SWC needed to automate the manual student tracking
system
– College receives funds from state for tutoring
and learning assistance classes
– Require tracking who, where, when, and what
– Students logged in manually on note pads
– Student employees paid to ensure logging in
done - $
– Admissions manually entered data into the
student information system - $
– College unable to collect state funding
earned - $
Background
• Needed a pay-for-print system in open
labs
– Students were not being charged for
printing
– Unneeded printing being done
– Expenses very high - $
• Needed a self-service copier management
system
– No controls on adjunct faculty copying
– Expenses very high - $
Solution
•
•
•
•
Purchased Bb Transaction System
Purchased EFM Student Tracking
System or Positive Attendance
Tracking system, or (PAT)
Purchased Uniprint Pay-For-Print
System
Purchased Bb Copier Management
System
Hardware (Servers)
• TMS- Windows 2000:
– Oracle Transaction, Print Services and SQL
– Pharos Systems
• PAT- Windows 2003:
– Contact and Database
– EFM company
Concept Map
Database
Oracle
Pay-forPrint
Positive Attendance
Tracking
SQL
Contact
Pay-forPrint
Positive Attendance Colleague/Datatel System
Tracking
ALL CAMPUS
INFORMATION
Print Services
Pay-forPrint
Setup and Challenges
• Short setup time with BB consultant
– Pre-installation build out plan with SWC
team identified and ready
– Some pre-preparation with our network,
cabling and configuration
– Most everything in writing
• Training very important
– BB TMS requires a certified System
Administrator (1-week)
– EFM training is over a few days
Benefits
Student Tracking System (PAT)
– Eliminated cost of student employees
in labs
• $100K annually
– Increased/tripled revenue from state
• $1.5Million annually
– Eliminated cost of manually entering
data
• $200K annually
– Automated integration with Datatel
Colleague system
Benefits
• Uniprint Pay-For-Print System
– Significantly reduced printing expenses
• $100K annually
• Bb Copier Management System
– Anticipate reducing self-service
copying expenses
• $75K annually
PAT Reporting
Web Interface
Reporting by
SERVICE or
SERVICE OPTION
Service
PAT Reporting
Download reports
PAT Reporting
Service Option (classes)
Top Five Producers
Complete Listing
PAT Configuration
Future Plans/Ideas
• Install turnstiles and gates to ensure
logging in and out of system.
• Install/integrate with Bookstore,
Cafeteria, and Vending Machines.
Other Colleges/Universities
Use Bb Transaction System to:
– Automate student laptop checkout system
– Manage access to door locks in dormitories,
classrooms, and buildings.
– University “Money” - Students, faculty and staff
use ID Card to buy books, pay for lunch, unlock
doors, buy a soda or candy bar in vending
machine, pay for pizza in town, etc.
Thank You!
Bob Edelbrock, Ed.D., Dean Academic Information Services
bedelbrock@swc.cc.ca.us
Larry Lambert, Online Instructional Support Specialist
llambert@swc.cc.ca.us