sif basics - building a working knowledge and vocabulary examples in illinois iasbo 2010 pheasant...
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SIF Basics - Building a Working Knowledge and Vocabulary
Examples in Illinois
IASBO 2010Pheasant Run Resort
Welcomeand
Introductions
Agenda
•Overview•Software Components
•ZIS •Agents•Applications
•SIF Data Objects•School District Examples•Getting a bang for your buck – ROI and SIF
SIS
Network Accounts
Cafeteria
LibraryTransportation
• The situation in many schools and school systems is that there are a series of software applications which all may require the same data, but which have no way to talk to each other.
• It may be possible for one or two applications to share data through proprietary methods, but open, dynamic and synchronized data sharing does not occur.
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Traditional Data Systems
SIF Overview
DirXML Network Account
H.R. &Finance
DataWarehouse Instructional
Services
Library Automation
SIS
GradeBook
Transportation Zone Integration
Server (ZIS)
SIF Agents
Applications
SIF Data Objects
Software Components of a SIF Implementation
Zone Integration Server (ZIS) – The central point of data exchange in a SIF implementation. Provides queuing, security, and communication services to Agents. Software vs. HardwareSIF Agents – Software which allows an individual
application to communicate via the SIF Infrastructure. An agent can publish and/or subscribe data. It sits on top of EACH application and is typically different from application to application. Multiple agents (at least 2) are needed in order to implement SIF.
Zone Integration Server (ZIS)
Routes messagesControls access – which agents are
allowed to see which messages and request which information
Persists messages when agents are asleepConfigure HTTP or HTTPS transportHealth of Zone and Monitoring
Agents: The Universal Translator
SIF Agents have 2 “faces”
Translate between the application and the SIF data model
Responsible for generating and processing SIF objects
ZIS
Application
Application “Native”
SIFData
Model
Agent
SIF Agents
Publisher and Subscriber Agents• Publish – Events that may be published
(currently) include Add, Change, and Delete.
• Subscribe – The process of “listening” for and processing SIF Events.
Integrated vs. Standalone• Contains core business logic of
Subscribing application
Applications
Applications – Specific software for a particular department or internal client. Typical SIF applications include SIS, Directory, Transportation, Food Service, Library Science, Assessment, etc.
Determining “SIFAbility” of Applications in your networkSIF Certified vs. SIF “Compliant”
• SIF Certification – Part of SIF’s product standard that includes 3rd party verification that the Application and Agent conform to the SIF specification. Certification includes a legal component that guarantees vendors will adapt their software to meet requirements, if needed.
• SIF Compliance – A general term used by software vendors that are not Certified. Such agents may work with SIF, but lack third party and vendor guarantees of interoperability.
Find your Application• http://certification.sifinfo.org/cert_prodlist.tpl• How to siphon what you need
SIF Data Objects•SIF Data Objects – A logical grouping of fields (similar to a database table) within an application that can be shared among applications. SIF’s Data Model defines Data Objects using XML Schema Definition language.
•The data exchanged using SIF standards•Objects comprise the schemas that define information managed by the applications•Objects contain specific data elements that serve to characterize them.•For example, the StudentPicture Object shown below is made up of three data elements.
Other SIF Concepts
SIF Zone Logical group of applications, their agents and the ZIS
services that manage them Data for the SIF zone is private to the zone
Request/Response SIF’s Request/Response protocol allows for data to be
requested in its entirety, or filtered via query mechanisms. Used in Synchronizations
Event Processing SIF’s Event protocol enables an application to notify other
applications in the Zone when something changes. Daily transactional processing for adds, changes, deletes,
etc
District Examples
St. Charles District 303
Huntley District 158
Tinley Park District 146
Huntley District 158
•Student Population – 9013•Public Schools – 8 total schools (2) K-2nd grade, (2) 3rd grade – 5th grade (1) K-5th grade, (2) 6th grade – 8th grade (1) 9th -12th High School•Implementation Type – Horizontal•Interesting Fact: Since 1996 the school district has grown from 2 to the 8 schools we currently have.
Copyright © SIF Association
Implementation Details
• CPSI ZIS• Power School Student System • AD and Exchange 2003• Follett Destiny • SchoolLink Technology – WinSNAP• VersaTrans
Copyright © SIF Association
Implementation Goals
• Simplify the multiple data entry processes
• Gain consistency in data between the various applications
• Decrease the amount of time trouble shooting bad data
Lessons Learned
• Important to have clean data coming from the Primary Publisher
• You will find more data inconsistencies between the systems then you originally thought were out there
Tinley Park District 146
•Student Population – 2400
•Public Schools – •Central Middle School•Fierke, Fulton, Kruse Memorial Elementary
•Implementation Type – Horizontal
•Interesting Facts: •Curriculum and Instruction•Capital Improvements•Technology Goals
Copyright © SIF Association
Implementation Details
• Edustructures ZIS • Power School Student System • Active Directory• Follett Circulation Plus• VersaTrans• Future
• EasyIEP and Behavior Plus• Assessment implementation• Human Resources and Budgetary
Copyright © SIF Association
Implementation Goals
• Manage data from a single entry point
• Provide consistent data throughout the District and beyond
• Use the data for informative decision making
• Continue to expand data and its sources
Lessons Learned
• Have a vision
• Select a competent and experienced partner
• Planning, Planning, Planning
• Stay the course
St. Charles CUSD #303
•Student Population – 13700•17 Schools Buildings•Implementation Type – Horizontal•Interesting Facts:
• Library System supported by RoE• New SIS (eSchool Plus) this year• Directory • NetChemia this year• Outsourced most SIF effort to Integrity• Additional non-SIF integration
Getting the most bang for your buck with SIF - -
Projecting ROI
Benefits of SIF
• Data is entered only once, into the authoritative source system, and is shared seamlessly & immediately with other applications
• Data is exchanged automatically and thus more effectively, without manual import and export processes
• Near real-time access to important information for better data analysis and information dissemination
• Ease the burden of vertical reporting to the State
Cost-Benefit Example
Network Account Creation and ManagementSIF capability
• Student directory accounts created at registration into SIS
Example• SIF is used to create and manage user
accounts and home directories, eliminating the additional manual step as the student is enrolled
Benefit• Huge time savings to I.T. departmentDoes your I.T. staff have more
valuable ways to spend its time?
Cost-Benefit Example
TransportationSIF capability
• Data accuracy & Saved data entry timeExample
• SIF is used to update the transportation system data from the student information system as the student is enrolled in school
Benefit• Real time communication of bus stop
information is possible for every student• Potential liability issues are avoidedHow many phone calls could be saved?How much bad publicity could be
avoided?
Cost-Benefit Example Food Services
SIF capability
• Data accuracyExample
• SIF is used to update the student management system with meal status information that is stored in the food services system
Benefit
• Accurate free/reduced lunch count possible.
How much additional funding could be generated?
Cost-Benefit Example
Assessment ReportingSIF capability
• Data integrity and accuracyExample
• SIF is used to intersect demographic data stored in the student management system with state and local assessment results
Benefit• Administrators, principals and teachers can
run reports that utilize the most accurate set of demographics for students
How accurate are your current reports?How much time does it take to generate
reports?
Cost-Benefit Example Library
SIF capability
• Near real time information disseminationExample
• SIF is used to update the library system with up to date student information from the SIS
Benefit
• The media specialist who used to spend 4 hrs a week updating student information and class lists on the computer can reallocate that time towards students
• (ROI can be seen in better utilization of resources as well as bottom line numbers)
SIF Benefits
Teachers Real-time access to critical
information
Better data analysis
Teachers time better spent
Students & Parents
Improved teaching and learning processes
Availability of school andstudent data
Increased efficiency
IT Departments Reduced support costs
Reduced time needed to manage multiple data sources
Save money using existing systems and infrastructure
Administrators Increased efficiency
Reduced redundancy & errors
Reduced compatibility issues
Contact Information Christine Haeggquist Kirtley Technology Corporation
1-888-757-0778 Haeggquistc@kirtleytech.com
Questions and Answers
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