September 2002 — Features
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The NEW DIGITAL CAMPUS
The ability to employ an enterprisewide digital campus, while having the flexibility to create additional custom applications, motivated our team to select the Campus Pipeline Web Platform to become the foundation for the digital campus. The Web Platform provides a network that integrates data, portals, calendars and other campus technologies under a single online roof. Therefore, the digital campus would give campus constituents access to a wealth of campus information, services and communities from a single sign-on entry point. In addition, by partnering with Campus Pipeline, Plymouth State's ITS team could achieve its goal of creating a more strategic long-term vision for its digital campus.
What Will It Do for Us?
One condition the ITS team had when considering a vendor solution was visual integration - the visual interface had to be consistent across campus technology systems and applications. The Web Platform's ability to provide seamless visual and data integration with WebCT course tools and the SCT Banner SIS would improve current administrative processes. For example, if a particular student is recognized in the SIS as a graduating senior, Banner automatically transfers the information to the Web Platform. It then sends the student graduation information via e-mail, or displays the information on the student's personalized portal after the student logs into the digital campus.
Currently, our new infrastructure lets us integrate much of our MySILAS technologies into our new digital campus. So rather than reinventing the wheel, we are thinking in terms of salvaging our current systems. We are now spending our energy in a different way, becoming more strategic and less reactive. In line with its integration strategy, the ITS team plans to extend the reach of its digital campus by implementing bookstore, course management, library, financial aid, student services and alumni fundraising software. To accomplish this, Plymouth State will implement the Campus Pipeline Luminis family of platform, content management and integration products. These technologies deliver improved operational efficiencies as well as access to services, and are extendable because of their standards-based framework. By implementing the Luminis products, Plymouth State's digital campus will gain endless integration possibilities and the freedom to add components as they are required.
Today's economic climate demands that every dollar spent toward technology must contribute to improved operational efficiency, enhanced campus experiences for constituents and increased access to services. The decision to purchase our technology infrastructure, rather than continuing to build it, has worked out in our favor. It has given us the opportunity to focus our vision on expanding our digital campus instead of just managing it.
Enhancing the Campus Experience
Through its digital campus, Plymouth State is using technology to enhance the college experience for students, faculty and staff, as well as building a more holistic community, incorporating the interests of parents, alumni and friends of the college. We are turning that vision into a reality by creating an exceptional academic experience for all of our students based on their individual needs.
