Information technology, Georgia. University System of Georgia. Board of Regents. Office of Information and Instructional Technology

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OIT News Bulletin: March - May 1994
Contents
From the Vice Chancellor Calendar of Events Distance Learning Update: Phase II Being Implemented Electronic Surfing Safari: OIT Server Being Developed PeachNet Available to Educational Entities Throughout Georgia Procedures for Ordering Items Not on State Contract Selection of Human Resources Payroll System Concluding Student Information Systems Purchased What's New on the OIT Gopher
From The Vice Chancellor March, April, May, 1994
*** A recent project will provide thirty institutions with SCTUs BANNER Student System and Financial Aid System. Available to all System institutions, the contract also allows for the purchase of other BANNER products. Available discounts would apply to these additional packages. Inquiries should be directed to Randall Thursby at (912) 934-3917. (See related article below.)
*** The gateway between PeachNet and the DOAS GO Net has become operational. A keymap test was conducted jointly by OIT personnel and DOAS personnel in mid April. The test results were incorporated into DOASPState Purchasing documentation, which was mailed to procurement officers and ACIT representatives during the week of May 23rd. The procurement officers will use TN3270 communications, similar to the BlueCross BlueShield project. (The communications software is available on the ftp.peachnet.edu server.)
*** Institutions are making progress on the Hewlett Packard (HP) procurement/conversion: four institutions have received HP equipment, and approximately twelve have processed purchase orders. Many are not buying back the TI 1500Us and therefore will be subject to the sixty day return policy for old equipment.
*** Between July 1, 1994, and June 30, 1996, the Department of Audits will conduct EDP audits of all primary financial systems within the University System. The audits will focus upon security, backup and recovery, and computer operations. ACIT representatives will receive additional details when available.
*** Installation of forty-three satellite dishes at University System institutions, colleges/schools of education, and centers will begin this summer. Prior to installation, each location will participate in a site visit from Convergent Media to determine appropriate location for the equipment.
*** Training and installation have been completed for the pilot project Expanding the Vision: State-wide Access through PeachNet, and all library sites are functioning.
*** Three new positions in Academic Administration Systems have been filled: Ms. Debbie Exum, Management Information Specialist, will be the project coordinator for the new BANNER system; Mr. Charles Ash, Information Analyst, will also work with the BANNER system; and Ms. Margaret Dillard was the successful candidate for the vacant Programmer III position. Rann Rudisill has recently filled the vacant Academic Services Computer Services Specialist III position. Also, the OIT is in the process of reorganizing central office computing due to the retirement of Mr. John Dooley.
J. B. Mathews, Vice Chancellor

Calendar of Events March, April, May, 1994
October 31-November 3 EDUCOM. The conference will be held in San Antonio, Texas.
November 9-11 Annual Computing Conference. The University System Annual Computing Conference will be held at Rock Eagle.
Distance Learning Update: Phase II Being Implemented March, April, May,1994
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Governing Board has directed the Academic Programs Committee Work Group to award $500,000 for approximately thirty program development projects.
The phase II plan provides for expansion of program delivery over the satellite, telemedicine, and GSAMS networks. The GSAMS sites will include fourteen System campuses, twenty technical and adult educational institutions, twenty-five K-12 schools, and twenty-one other sites, including several within the Department of Corrections and the Department of Children and Youth Services.
Selected sites received notification in early May and should be functioning before the end of the year.
Electronic Surfing Safari: OIT Server Being Developed March, April, May,1994
Sand in your suit from the old ways of surfing the Internet? YouUre about to get a new surf board.
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) is building a place on the World Wide Web (WWW), so those on a quest for information or software need no longer wade through a tangle of FTP directories and files.
The WWW utilizes existing Internet protocols (like Gopher, FTP, and News) and combines them into an easy, point and click, hypertext interface. A user who discovers another topic of interest while reading a document can go immediately to that topic or download a file by just clicking on key words, images, or icons.
On its Home Page, the OIT WWW server will provide links that connect directly to ftp.peachnet.edu, as well as to gopher.peachnet.edu. (Home Page is the first document that is shown when a connection is made to a WWW server.)
Unlike most other Internet services that provide only ASCII text files, WWW provides formatted documents. By using a simple formatting language, HyperText Markup Language (HTML), a manager of such a service can make headings appear in a larger font, highlight words that lead to further information, italicize, bold, or underline for emphasis. Use of bulletted lists is even possible.
Graphics, audio, and video can be incorporated into the documents. However, the OIT will limit use of these advanced features due to increased document retrieval time and demand on the transmission medium.
Many WWW servers are already available over the Internet. A WWW client application like Mosaic or Cello can provide immediate access to any information available through some of the more traditional Internet servers like Gopher, WAIS, FTP, or Usenet. The use of Mosaic or any other WWW client application to access these will provide an idea of what the OIT is building.
Mosaic can be downloaded from ftp.peachnet.edu: Windows users download /pub/ms-dos/wmos20a2.zip; Macintosh users /pub/mac/macmosai.hqx; and DOS users /pub/ms-dos/dxl0_7a.exe. Macintosh users will need to be running MacTCP, and

Windows users a WINSOCK.DLL. DOS users need only a packet driver.
Would-be surfers and/or those in the process of developing their own portion of the web can send questions, requests, or comments to W3admin@oit.peachnet.edu. Future availability of the OIT WWW server will be announced via the list GA-INFO and in this newsletter.
PeachNet Available To Educational Entities Throughout Georgia by Cathy Cruger, OIT
March, April, May,1994
Network connections through PeachNet have recently been made available by the Office of Information Technology to educational entities whose mission and purpose are compatible with that of the University System of Georgia.
A network connection through PeachNet offers workstation access to all PeachNet public information resources and services, including access to the Internet. There are currently three levels of PeachNet service: dial-in, switched, and dedicated.
The PeachNet Leaf System provides 14.4 Kbps (14.4 thousand bits per second) dial-in service; the PeachNet Twig System provides 14.4 Kbps switched service; and the PeachNet Branch and PeachNet Limb Systems provide dedicated service at either 56 Kbps (56 thousand bits per second) or T1 (1.544 million bits per second) speeds.
Each system can be supported by the next larger system, thereby offering a flexible growth path for an organizationUs local area networking needs. Each system includes access to public domain starter software for DOS, Windows, and Macintosh computers. Optional en-hancements for dedicated connections include an equipment cabinet and emergency power supply unit, remote diagnostics capability, and remote dial-in capability. Special assemblies such as fractional T1 service are also available.
Transport System Descriptions
The PeachNet Leaf provides one user password and ID for dial-in access to PeachNet. Through this dial-in system, customers have workstation access with Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP). User IDs and passwords are processed by the system on a first-come, first-served basis. The system recognizes the password, and if all resources are busy, notifies the caller to try again later. The Leaf connection is intended for those organizations whose employees or associates require PeachNet access from remote sites. The Leaf involves no on-site PeachNet equipment; however, a PC or Macintosh workstation, modem, and PPP compliant communications software are required. Enhanced options include reserved access, which provides guaranteed connectivity.
The PeachNet Twig offers a low-cost means for sites with an Ethernet local area network of two to four workstations to access PeachNet. The system utilizes one voice grade circuit and consists of a dial router and modem. The dial process is automatic and currently operates at 14.4 Kbps. Typical applications that an organization provides its users through the Twig system include low-speed electronic mail, file transfer (FTP), and information access (e.g., Gopher).
The PeachNet Branch is a starter package for organizations that have an established Ethernet or Token Ring local area network connecting from five to 250 workstations. The system consists of a network router and telephone line interface (CSU/DSU) and utilizes a single digital telephone circuit with a line speed of either 56 Kbps or T1. Typical applications provided by an organization to its users through the Kbps Branch system include high-speed electronic mail, file transfer (FTP), and information access (e.g., Gopher). Applications with large bandwidth requirements, such as video and graphics, are best suited to T1 service.
The PeachNet Limb is designed to support organizations with a largescale, campus-oriented network or multiple local area networks. The Limb, like the Branch, consists of a network router and telephone line interface (CSU/DSU) and utilizes a digital telephone circuit with a line speed of either 56 Kbps or T1. By design, the Limb is built to grow; the system is equipped

with three expansion slots to support additional circuit cards and network cards as needed.
To support new PeachNet customers, the Office of Information Technology is also offering a variety of services, including assistance with establishing and maintaining mail servers, name servers, Gopher servers, and news servers. To obtain a copy of the current PeachNet Access and Pricing Information document with a complete description of systems and support services, contact a PeachNet services coordinator at GIST 228-6860 or (404) 423-6860.
Procedures for Ordering Items Not on State Contract March, April, May,1994
The Office of Information Technology, in conjunction with DOASPState Purchasing, has been reviewing the number and costs of bids for microcomputers not included on statewide contract. In general, there is sufficient selection on statewide microcomputer contracts to satisfy the needs of institutions. Furthermore, the negligible savings provided by these requests do not justify the overall costs to the state in processing such bids. Therefore, a change is being implemented in the EDP approval process for microcomputers not bid on statewide contract.
Effective May 1, 1994, the following procedures will be in effect:
* Any institution that seeks to purchase microcomputers included on the statewide contract may do so with the normal EDP approval.
* Any institution that seeks to purchase microcomputers comparable to those on state contract, but which are not included on the statewide contract, must submit a specific EDP request to the Vice Chancellor for Information Technology. The request may be submitted on the locally developed Microcomputer EDP Request Form and must include, in addition to the standard material, a separate attachment with justification for not using a state contract vendor.
If a request is approved, the approval will be sent to the requester and must then be attached to the requisition when sent to State Purchasing. If a request is denied, a letter will be sent to the requester noting the reason for denial.
Contact Randall Thursby at GIST 325-3197 or (912) 934-3197 for further information.
Selection of Human Resources Payroll System Concluding March, April, May,1994
Progress is being made in selecting a Human Resources/Payroll system. The evaluation team narrowed the candidates to the two leading vendors: SCTUs BANNER and PeopleSoft, Inc.
On March 22-23 and 30-31, 1994, the vendors demonstrated the proposed software systems through a detailed script developed to ensure that each demonstration covered the same features (both mandatory and desirable) and addressed important technical and functional requirements.
In the next few weeks, the evaluation committee will continue to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each proposed software system. An evaluation team sub-committee will visit sites running each vendorUs software. The goal of the team will be to view how the programs work in actual settings and any modifications that need to be made in implementing the systems or any problems in maintaining the systems.
After the site visits, the evaluation team will present its findings to the vice chancellors for information technology and fiscal affairs, who will jointly decide which product best meets the needs of the University System.

Student Information Systems Purchased March, April, May,1994
System presidents have recently been notified that the BANNER Student System and the BANNER Financial Aid System are being purchased at a significant discount for the two-year and four-year colleges and the regional universities of the University System.
This purchase by the Regents central office is the culmination of work done by the Office of Information Technology (OIT), the central office, and the Student System Committee.
The Student modules include Course Catalog and Schedule, General Person, Location Management and Housing, Recruiting and Admissions, General Student, Registration, Accounts Receivable, Academic History, and Degree Audit.
The Financial Aid modules consist of Record Creation, Need Analysis, Tracking, Budgeting, Verification, Packaging, Funds Management, Disbursements, Loan Processing and Check Tracking, Student Employment, Pell EDE and Award History, and Transcripts.
The BANNER systems use the Oracle RDBMS (Relational Database Management System). The two integrated systems, with Georgia specific enhancements, assure accurate sharing of information. BANNER will run on both the HP 9000 and the IBM RISC 6000 platforms.
Oracle Database for SIS Provided at No Charge
Under the purchase plan, the Oracle database for the Student Information Systems (SIS) acquisition will be provided to the thirty institutions at no charge.
Currently, the Office of Information Technology is reviewing the prepaid Oracle credit for allocation to institutions. The formula for allocation will be based on the total number of faculty and staff. Credit purchases through the Oracle contract for RDBMS, SQL*Plus, SQL*Net TCP/IP, Transaction Processing Option (TPO), Oracle*Forms, Oracle* Reports, Pro*C, and Pro*COBOL will be allotted to institutions for discretionary use.
Institutions will be responsible for purchasing concurrent user levels beyond that allotted by the Office of Information Technology, if needed, and for training and annual maintenance costs.
Institutions have received notification about their credit allocation which may be used to
* purchase required Oracle products, * add users, * satisfy Oracle financing, and * return credits to the Office of Information Technology or sell
them to other System institutions.
SIS Costs to Institutions
Institutions will be responsible for the required hardware. They are also responsible for software installation and training costs, which will be between $20,000 and $40,000. Annual maintenance costs for these systems will range from $17,000 to $34,000.
Modifications required for University System institutions began in May, 1994, with alpha testing to begin in August. Installation will begin in January 1995. A project team, which will be formed through the Office of Information Technology, will assist with installation, training, and modifications. Information, such as details regarding requests for quotes and ordering, will be published as soon as it is available. For additional information, contact Marie Steed at GIST 241-5242 or (706) 542-5242.
What's New on the OIT Gopher March, April, May,1994

New directories are continually being added to the University System of Georgia Gopher server (gopher.peachnet.edu). Recent additions to the Selected Gophers directory include the Online Career Center Gopher, the Voice of America Gopher, and the SOLINET Gopher.
Directories with University System specific information are updated regularly. Examples of updates are the Software Cooperative Catalog located in the University System Information/Software and Hardware Information/Product Information/directory and the statewide workstation, microcomputer, and microcomputer peripherals contracts located in the State of Georgia directory.
Comments, suggestions, and questions about the Gopher may be sent to gopher@gopher.peachnet.edu.
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