Computer Centre, UCC

Application Application Architecture in Architecture in

UCCUCCJerry BuckleyJerry Buckley

Head of Enterprise Head of Enterprise ApplicationsApplications

Computer CentreComputer Centre

Computer Centre, UCC

Enterprise ArchitectureEnterprise ArchitectureBusiness Objectives

Business Processes

Applications

IT Infrastructure

Data

IT

Business

Computer Centre, UCC

UCC Applications UCC Applications ArchitectureArchitecture

1979 - Batch Data processing1979 - Batch Data processing 1982 - Online systems1982 - Online systems 1984 - DBMS and the Corporate Database1984 - DBMS and the Corporate Database 1990 - ERP (Financials, etc.), Packaged 1990 - ERP (Financials, etc.), Packaged

SoftwareSoftware 2000 - Application Portfolio2000 - Application Portfolio

Diverse PlatformsDiverse Platforms Diverse DatabasesDiverse Databases Diverse InterfacesDiverse Interfaces

2003 - Oracle, MS2003 - Oracle, MS 2005 - Services (Web, Portal, IDAM, BI)2005 - Services (Web, Portal, IDAM, BI) 2010 - The Cloud2010 - The Cloud

Computer Centre, UCC

Traditional IT ObjectivesTraditional IT Objectives

- A robust and resilient IT A robust and resilient IT infrastructureinfrastructure

- A Unified Data Model A Unified Data Model - An integrated application suite, An integrated application suite,

supportingsupporting- Well defined and efficient business Well defined and efficient business

processes, processes, - Timely and accurate reporting, and Timely and accurate reporting, and - Business IntelligenceBusiness Intelligence

Computer Centre, UCC

Main Business ProcessesMain Business Processes

Database

StudentsAdmissionsRegistration

ID CardsExaminations

FeesTimetable

Graduation

FinanceAccountsPayroll

ProcurementPensions

HRPersonnel

RecruitmentTime and Attendance

Training & Development

AlumniMembership

DonorsEventsFinance

ResearchExpertise

IPGrants

EstatesSpace Atlas

Room BookingsBuildings Mgmt

ServicesLibrary

Access ControlBlackboard

PortalEmail

BI Teamworks

Computer Centre, UCC

Application PortfolioApplication Portfolio

Data

StudentsAdmissionsRegistration

ID CardsExaminations

FeesTimetable

Graduation

FinanceAccountsPayroll

ProcurementPensions

HRPersonnel

RecruitmentTime and Attendance

Training & Development

AlumniMembership

DonorsEventsFinance

ResearchExpertise

IPGrants

EstatesSpace Atlas

Room BookingsBuildings Mgmt

ServicesLibrary

Access ControlBlackboard

PortalEmail

BITeamworks

Data Data Data

Data Data Data

Data Data Data

Computer Centre, UCC

IntegrationIntegrationManage as a Network Of Interacting

Components – Complex System

IDAM

Portal

BI

USER DATA

Computer Centre, UCC

Student ApplicationsStudent Applications

ITS

COREAccess Control

DMISLibrary

CAO PAC

Teamworks

ITS Data Flows

Blackboard DataWarehouse

Raiser’s Edge

Student AD GP DynamicStudent Portal ARC Webmail

FDR

Syllabus Plus

Computer Centre, UCC

Example 1: ID CardExample 1: ID Card

Register For Qualification/

Modules

Print Student ID Card

Gain Access to Boole Library

Take out Book

ITS

BADGE

Core

Innopac

ITS

Core

Library

Interface Tables

Dynamic Link using Corinio

Overnight Acsii File Transfer

INTEGRATION LAYER

Computer Centre, UCC

Student DashboardStudent Dashboard

Computer Centre, UCC

Example 2: BI DashboardExample 2: BI Dashboard

Staging Area

WarehouseStar Schema

Metadata

ITS

CORE

CODA

CAO Ascii Files

Oracle DB Link

Oracle DB Link

EasySoft

Transact SQL

SSIS

Extract Transform Reporting

MicrostrategyBI

Web Reports/

Dashboard

MS Developer

Client

Computer Centre, UCC

Application Architecture Application Architecture DriversDrivers

Primacy of business requirements – ‘Best Primacy of business requirements – ‘Best of Breed’ of Breed’

Legacy systemsLegacy systems Organisational Culture (Silos) Organisational Culture (Silos) Emerging Technologies Emerging Technologies Funding and ROIFunding and ROI Risk - Incremental development Risk - Incremental development The Marketplace – Niche SoftwareThe Marketplace – Niche Software People and PoliticsPeople and Politics

Computer Centre, UCC

Challenges Challenges

Business buy-inBusiness buy-in Change management Change management Technical maintenanceTechnical maintenance Inconsistent data definitionsInconsistent data definitions System Administration (Business System Administration (Business

Processes, Account Management, Processes, Account Management, Reporting, User Support)Reporting, User Support)

Varied skill setsVaried skill sets Vendor managementVendor management

Computer Centre, UCC

SummarySummary

UCC has a broad application portfolioUCC has a broad application portfolio UCC’s current EA is based on a ‘best UCC’s current EA is based on a ‘best

of breed’ approach of breed’ approach High level of back-end integrationHigh level of back-end integration Success depends onSuccess depends on

People People Planning Planning CommunicationCommunication

It works (most of the time)!It works (most of the time)!

Computer Centre, UCC

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

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