Advancement

A program from SunGard Higher Education used by the Division of University Relations and Development to nurture and monitor relationships between the University and constituents - alumni, donors, friends, parents, community members, corporations, foundations, and other organizations – for the purpose of securing contributions and other gifts for Kent State.

Banner

An administrative suite (also called an ERP) purchased by the University from SunGard Higher Education to provide enterprise-wide applications on a single database. Banner is the name of ERP program and includes modules for student, financial aid, finance and HR.

Business Process Review

A series of internal audits conducted by individuals from Kent State and SunGard Higher Education to examine the current processes conducted at the University and how the software can add to, improve or maintain those operations.

Cognos 8i

Cognos 8i is the industry leading suite of reporting tools to be used against the ODS and EDW.  It facilitates every aspect Business Intelligence throughout its platform, including ad hoc reporting, standard reporting, report archiving, dashboarding, labels, form letters, and OLAP cubes.

Dashboard

A user interface which organizes and presents information in an interactive manner to allow the user to customize the information and processes most applicable to their status.

Electronic Data Warehouse

A system that stores, manages and retrieves large amounts of information and data. The data warehouse is a single database where all University information will be stored. Using a data warehouse also allows for the production of reports and analysis without slowing down the database operations. The EDW enables decision makers at every level of the institution to have ready access to enterprise-wide analytical data so that they can proactively plan business activities. The EDW complements the ODS by providing historical snapshots of institutional metrics and measures to further support an aligned, data-driven strategic-planning and decision-making process.

ERP

A collection of software applications that use a common database to integrate the University’s business processes and is accessible to users through a web portal. “Banner” is the name of the ERP system that this project will implement at Kent State. In every context used during the course of this project, ERP refers to the Banner suite of applications and the methodology of converging services and systems.

FRS

This is the abbreviation used for the Banner Finance suite of applications. Banner Finance includes core processes for procurement, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, internal stores, journal entries, budget development, as well as Sponsored Research accounting and Endowment Management.

Go-Live

The date when an application is activated and open to operation outside the training environment. For example, when the HR module goes “live,” it becomes available for use throughout the entire University.

HR

This is the abbreviation used for the Banner Human Resources suite of applications. Banner Human Resources is a flexible administrative and self-service solution that enables Kent State to manage personnel information, automate payroll administration, streamline budgeting policies and procedures, and allow employees to get the most up-to-date answers to routine personal/payroll questions through channelized content.

Implementation

The period during which Kent State will install the new Banner suite of applications and provide the training to operate the applications to the University community. The “Go-Live” date represents the end period for an individual implementation period and the beginning of full functionality. The Implementation Period for this project will last 36 months.

Legacy System

The current system that houses University data. Because of its limitations for compatibility to current standards and systems, the Legacy system at Kent State will be replaced during this project and all information will be transferred to the new system. “Legacy system” is a moniker typically given to old, large system that have become outdated and difficult to maintain.

Module

The independent pieces of the larger Banner suite of applications. For example, the following are modules found in Banner: Human Resources, Student, Finance, Advancement.

ODS

The Operational Data Store (ODS) enables you to extract information from Banner, reorganize the information into a simplified format, and then store the information in the ODS database where end users can create and deploy operational and ad hoc reports.  The ODS provides an extensive and flexible data store and business organized reporting views with fewer columns and improved performance. You can use these views alone, or in combination with other views.

Portal

An application that presents a user interface to several different applications via a web browser. Currently, Kent State uses a portal application called “FlashLine” to access several services and view private and public information.

SIS

This is the abbreviation for Student Information Services (or “Student”). Banner Student fuses administrative and academic functions that make it easy to manage data strategically while giving prospects, learners, and faculty secure online access to the information they need. Prospects can apply for admissions. Learners can search and register for classes by term or date, and retrieve financial aid data. Faculty can easily manage course information and advise students.

Self-service

The ability to access information and services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Self-service applications eliminate the need to go to an office or wait in line to complete a transaction or a process and allow the user to complete the action online.

Single Sign-On

Single Sign-On is a process by which the user only has to log in once to have access to several university systems and services. Once logged in, the user can access all of the resources he/she is authorized to use without further log-ons to those individual systems or networks. This process is referred to as Single Sign-On or SSO.

Workflow
The set of relationships between all the activities in a project, from start to finish. "Workflow" describes the structured movement of documents from one stage to the next automatically after proper authorization is received. "Workflow" processes can be programmed into the Banner applications to eliminate the need for physical circulation of paper requests, actions. "SCT Workflow" is the application the university utilizes the develop and implement selected workflows into the information system environment.