DATABASE

When desktop computers first became common on campus, many new applications were created for use in a distributed fashion locally by various offices. When networks linked the computers together, these data sources were stored centrally. However, with the demise of the mainframe model, it has become critical that institutional data be maintained in a centralized fashion to insure reliable access, to maintain data integrity, to safeguard the information from loss, and to ensure I.T.S. accuracy. The college was often maintaining 3-4 separate and distinct versions of similar data with many differences in the content. The I.T.S. database (client server SQL) initiative continues to migrate existing data sources to shared centralized SQL Server database storehouses, but is also being used to make mainframe data more accessible to the desktop and to the web. SALI was the first and most famous product of this effort, but new applications are continually being added, as evidenced by the many SQL based web applications described above.

Consolidated campus wide Smart Super-directory web and kiosk accessible

The college previously maintained a network directory, a printed phone book, a kiosk directory, and a web directory! The consolidated Smart Directory is the single source for updates and feeds I.T.S. information to the web and the network in real time, is the source for the printed phone book and updates the Kiosks monthly. A sophisticated multi-layer security system also allows users to submit corrections on-line and allows the distributed management of different sections of the information by various offices. The directory has also been enhanced to include fax numbers, e-mail addresses, web pages, manager information etc..

SALI

SALI is a program that provides extracts of SIMS information. Authorized users can view or print class rosters, student transcripts, and other SIMS related data. SALI is a Windows-based application designed to supplement SIMS reporting facilities and reduce the technical staff’s need to produce both standard and ad hoc reports.

SALI has been adopted by CUNY as a university wide tool and is being implemented at most CUNY campuses. Many hundreds of CUNY staff and faculty now benefit from SALI’s many user friendly yet powerful features. For example, SALI’s sort-and-selection options provide a variety of on-screen and printed inquiries for: Class Rosters, Mailing Labels, Export files, Student Transcripts, Open-Closed Sections , Sections Taught by an Instructor

SALI locates students by partial or full name or by student ID number. It can search a course by reference numbers or by entering other detailed identifiers. To provide the most current student information, the SALI database is updated daily from the CUNY mainframe SIMS systems. Multiple term records are maintained and updated. SALI can produce tabular reports of student records based on criteria including:

• Residence
  
• Division (Day, Evening, Grad)
  
• Admission Status
  

SALI does not require specialized printers. All outputs can be used on-screen and printed on a local or LAN based Windows compatible printer. The SALI client software is available for Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and Windows NT.

SALI is a secure system and uses the most advanced security technology. It provides degrees of user-level security with the ability to admit or restrict access through personal IDs configured for specific disciplines or courses.

During 1999-2000 SALI, continued to be improved. It now includes the ability to save ad-hoc report definitions and to e-mail to an entire class. It stores not only the student’s main BC e-mail ID, but also a secondary outside ID. Many new fields and selection criteria have also been added.

Computer Inventory Systems

I.T.S. created new SQL based computer inventory systems which track college computer equipment. The database was implemented as part of the Y2K review and will continue to provide inventory and planning information. I.T.S. also created new SQL supplies and parts inventory systems to help manage the internal needs of the I.T.S. Technical Support and Operations groups.

Mentioned elsewhere..

• Course Search System
  
• Graduate Applications
  
• Affirmative Action Applicant Tracking
  
• Scholarship Applications
  
• Web Grading
  
• Smart Calendar