Web self-service means accessing PeopleSoft SIS data via a Web browser for student registration, dropping and adding classes, grade look-up, financial aid status look-up, etc.
With the legacy Student Master File, students register, drop, add, etc. via touch-tone phones (called IVR=Interactive Voice Response) and via 20 dedicated terminals on the campus.
The SIS Executive Committee has made the decision not to include IVR in our PeopleSoft implementation. After June 14, 1999, student self-service will be via the Web.
The current release of PeopleSoft’s SIS (Version 7.0) allows both on-campus and off-campus Web access. However, PeopleSoft has been criticized for not providing off-campus Web access with acceptable performance.
On campus, students will realize a substantial increase in access to student data—from 20 dedicated terminals to almost 400 computers in the general access labs, all of which can be used for PeopleSoft self-service.
During Spring 1999, printed guides for student self-service will be developed. Also, student lab consultants will be trained to assist students in Web self-service.
The off-campus Web access provided in SIS 7.0 is not acceptable to UW Oshkosh. It requires large amounts of data to be sent to a home PC, and most modems cannot handle this data flow without long delays.
There are two possible ways this deficiency in off-campus Web self-service can be addressed:
Wait for PeopleSoft to include in a future SIS releaseimproved
functionality that provides acceptable off-campus Web access, or
License a third-party solution.
The next release of PeopleSoft’s SIS is Version 7.5, which UW Oshkosh will install in January 1999. Following that, SIS Version 8.0 will be available later in 1999. No firm release date has been announced.
The University is investigating a third party solution from IBS. IBS has developed a product that resolves the current off-campus access problem and also presents more "user friendly" Web screens for student self-service.
IBS has demonstrated its product on campus and has made a formal proposal. The costs of acquiring IBS are at least $100,000.
Meanwhile, PeopleSoft recognizes the deficiency of Web functionality in SIS 7.0 and is assuring customers that increased functionality will be included in a future release.
An announcement of PeopleSoft’s plans will likely be made at the PeopleSoft Users Conference the first week of November. UW Oshkosh staff including the Project Manager are attending this Conference.
In addition, our PeopleSoft Account Manager is arranging for a teleconference between UW Oshkosh staff and a PeopleSoft Vice President to discuss PeopleSoft’s future plans for Web applications. PeopleSoft recognizes that UW Oshkosh needs to make a de
cision soon about acquiring IBS and that this decision will be influenced by the scope and timing of increased Web functionality in PeopleSoft.
Web self-service issues have been shared with student governance leaders and students will be kept informed of future developments.
