Kevin Groff
Melissa Sepos
Watchirawan Santayodom
Stephen Raney
Why DASL?
McSIS software is outdated technologyOpenVMS running on VAX SystemRMS index file
Two upgrade optionsE-SIS – Created by AAL, Inc.DASL – Created by NOACSC
DASL Pros and Cons in 2003 Developers know the old
software and are creating the new software
Few file conversions SQL licenses already
purchased Lower cost for
enhancements Customizable for Ohio
School Needs
Not fully developed Ohio Department of
Education not supporting development of DASL
DASL write version not tested in Ohio Schools
Hardware specifications have not been made
e-SIS Pros and Cons in 2003 Already being used in 5 DA
Sites Has been in use at two DA
Sites for five years Fully integrated
modules/screens (24 integrated student-based applications)
Endorsed by the Ohio Department of Education
EMIS and SMRS screens are integrated into one package
Over 600 standard reports
Progress Book module is untested
Created in Canada and used in other states but has many unnecessary data fields
High Cost of Oracle Licenses File conversion from McSIS to
ESIS have not been tested Fewer local support staff Enhancements cost more and
are harder to request Extra module costs High Training Costs
Cost Analysise-SIS DASL
Application Software Maintenance $0.00 $72,000
Database Software Licenses $118,600 $32,000
Database Support and Maintenance $37,097 $0.00
Implementation $13,800 $20,000
Training $41,010 $0.00
Hardware $56,396 $55,000
Total $266,903 $179,000
McSIS
Circa 1996 Designed to take advantage of existing
telecommunications and business technologies of the time
Record management services (RMS) on a VAX/Virtual Memory System (VMS).
Features such as menu creation, user administration
McSIS limitations
Requires a dumb terminal or terminal emulator
Does not take advantage of pointing devices or color
New menus needed created every time new information was added.
Inappropriate number of fields (i.e. Phone numbers)
Not as user friendly as it claims ->
Example
To perform a search in the McSIS system:When the cursor is placed at the student ID#
prompt, press the Backspace/Delete key and you will be prompted for the “Enter Last Name.” This will appear at the bottom of the screen.
McSIS
Conversion encounters
When coverting from old system to new there were difficulties experiencedContact Menus in McSIS vs Contact screen
in DASLOverlapping Date allowance in McSIS
versus Non-Overlapping date allowance in DASL
Training
Training completed by ITC personnel 8 weeks to learn new system and verify
data Limitations encountered due to short
time period Trainees not always receptive to new
information and training
