Client-Serve Yourself

Abstract

The Office of Information Technology at California State University, Fullerton is responsible for campus administrative mainframe and programming support, as well as for all mainframe applications such as the student records and financial accounting systems. Two campus organizations, University Extended Education and the Office of Analytical Studies rely heavily on the timeliness and accuracy of administration and student record data. These organizations have identified process improvements that are best met by client/server database applications. Due to limitations in the university’s Office of Information Technology support capabilities (budgetary and legacy system related), both University Extended Education and Analytical Studies have opted for internal database development while still relying on the Office of Information Technology’s mainframe data. This approach has resulted in increased local capabilities without the uncertainties related to working within an overloaded campus-wide Information Technology organization. Whether this approach is advantageous from an enterprise perspective remains to be seen.