Case Studies

Case Study - Columbia Public Schools

Business Needs

  • Develop and securely deliver web-based remote access.
  • Integrate with Novell eDirectory.
  • Enable fast implementation and ongoing support using current resources.

Technology Solutions

  • webNetwork Portal
  • webNetwork Database Portal

Benefits

  • Created a secure portal to provide anytime, anywhere access to critical applications and files.
  • Simplified management for current IT staff.
  • Leveraged numerous legacy technologies without replacing or changing systems.
  • Established a long-term, secure solution for delivering all future web-based solutions.

Delivering Web Portal Services - With Security, Flexibility, and Speed

Columbia Public Schools (CPS) is a public school district in Columbia, Missouri. As with most organizations, CPS is always watching their budget while at the same time wanting to deliver high-end solutions to their users. The district has approximately 20,000 students and staff. The IT staff is responsible for supporting over 6,000 computers and a centralized server environment. The user management is accomplished primarily with eDirectory in a Novell 6.5 environment.

Challenge

The CPS IT department wanted to provide anywhere, anytime access to district network resources through a portal. The list of resources included file systems, web-based applications, and databases. Top priorities for a remote access portal solution were security, directory integration and ease of use and administration. Long-range needs included database reporting, document publishing, and expanded access to district resources.

Solution

webNetwork™ allowed CPS to deliver a wide variety of services quickly and securely in a browser. Among the services currently provided are GroupWise Web Access, file systems, and numerous education-specific applications. CPS worked with Data Technique Inc, a Novell National Platinum Partner and a webNetwork Partner, to implement its portal and SSL VPN solution. The strength of the solution for CPS was the security, flexibility and speed to deliver web services through a portal. The integration with eDirectory allowed a quick implementation and kept their initial costs down as well as allowing for their current staff to continue to maintain their access policies.

Columbia Public Schools improved security and simplified remote access for delivering services over the Web. webNetwork provided CPS with a long-term solution for remote access. Their new portal has been well received and they have plans to add several new services. It is not often that an organization can improve security while making the process easier on both IT staff and users. webNetwork allows CPS and other clients the ability to do both.