Penn State Exploits Intranet for Advising
        
        
        
        Penn State University has                   installed a Web-based academic                   advising system that allows                   students to access their records                   anytime from nearly any location                   on or off campus. Starting this fall,                   they can, for example add and                   drop classes, track degree                   requirements and explore different                   majors using a computer and Web                   browser.                   The university has built an                   Intranet that uses Gradient                   Technologies' WebCrusader                   software for desktop-to-data                   security. "Web-based advising                   won't take the place of face-to-face                   meetings with faculty advisors,                   but it offers students a more                   comprehensive means for                   monitoring progress, planning                   their futures and making                   well-informed decisions," says                   Ken Blythe, director of the Office                   of Administrative Systems.                   Penn State also plans to use                   WebCrusader to permit faculty                   members to review research                   proposals and even order                   products right from their desktop.                   The product family implements a                   proven, industry-standard                   infrastructure that runs                   client/server applications securely                   over the Web. Gradient                   Technologies, Marlborough, MA,                   (508) 624-9600,                   www.gradient.com.