Higher education ERP: a framework to reduce the pain

ABSTRACT

Higher Education Institutions are now spending a significant portion of their budget to implement and maintain modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions. ERP is a software solution that integrates information and business processes to enable information entered once into the system to be available across the information technology infrastructure.In this report, we provide our framework to implement a secure infrastructure for ERP systems which is scalable, robust, easy to maintain, and has the potential to save Higher Education institutions considerable amounts of money and manpower. We will be addressing cost-effective and efficient deployment of applications using Citrix® MetaFrame™ and NFuse™ structure. Moreover, we will discuss the issues we had to address and the lessons we learned during and after the implementation phase.

REFERENCES

• 1: Swartz, David G. and Orgill, Kenneth R. The Path to Successful ERP Implementation. College Planning and Management Online.
• 2: http://www.peterli.com/cpm/special/campbiz/campbiz.cfm
• 3: Mitchell, Robert L. Thinking Thin: Thin Client Overview. Computer World Online.
• 4: <http://www.computerworld.com/hardwaretopics/hardware/story/0,10801,68000,00.html>
• 5: Farrow, Rik. Firewall Vulnerabilities. Network Magazine Online. <http://www.networkmagazine.com/article/NMG20000515S0048>

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.7 Database Administration
          Subjects: Security, integrity, and protection

Additional Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.1 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA PROCESSING
      Subjects: Education

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Strategic information systems planning; Systems analysis and design
      K.6.2 Installation Management
          Subjects: Computing equipment management
      K.6.5 Security and Protection (D.4.6, K.4.2)
          Subjects: Invasive software (e.g., viruses, worms, Trojan horses); Unauthorized access (e.g., hacking, phreaking)

General Terms:
Economics, Management, Reliability, Security

Keywords:
ERP, administrative systems infrastructure, best of breed, isolated network, security