SCT Event Driven Appendix (LDI Event Integrator)

Transcription

1 SCT Event Driven Appendix (LDI Event Integrator) 1 Overview SCT event driven integration is provided as an on top of Blackboard s snapshot integration methodology. The event driven technology is part of a solution that SCT and Blackboard have jointly created yet is limited in scope to only focus on real time enrollment mechanisms for the Blackboard Learning System. This allows for immediate student entrance into the Blackboard Learning System during peak add/drop time periods. SCT developed and provides its customers with an LDI4eL integration agent that connects to a custom Event Integrator that Blackboard Consulting installs and configures for the customer. The SCT LDI for e-learning project will replace the custom protocols and the unsupported MMB/MMG with baseline SunGard SCT software. In addition, Blackboard has developed a LDI Event Integrator, according to SCT data integration specifications, to receive event-driven messages from the Luminis Message Broker. Blackboard recommends that customers implementing this solution utilize SCT services for the implementation of the LDI4el messaging component. Blackboard has created Rules of Engagement with SCT for such implementations and will utilize best effort and partnering principles to provide the customer with an effective implementation. The Blackboard Project manager will maintain sole responsibility and accountability for Blackboard related tasks. Blackboard s LDI Event Driven Integration Services is made up of two components: 1) Blackboard developed LDI Event Integrator technology Component 2) Blackboard Consulting Installation and Configuration Service for SCT Event Driven SCT Event Driven integration with Blackboard does not provide: - Single Sign On or authentication integration from the Luminis Platform to the Blackboard Learning System. - Grade Exchange from the Blackboard Learning System with Banner. - Integration with other Blackboard products. (Learning System Only) - Direct integration to SCT, (Requires Sungard/SCT LDI4el) - Only supports the API s and business processes currently defined by SCT and Blackboard. The following additional functions are not part of the Blackboard LDI Event Integrator but can be performed through implementation of Blackboard s snapshot based synchronization. Snapshot synchronization is performed through a scheduled data transfer. Incremental snapshots could be scheduled as frequently as the customer requires based on system requirements and capacity. Community/Organization related memberships Financial Aid student account holds Advanced workflow and business logic across the breadth of the academic suite. 2 Objectives The primary objective is to provide very specific functions through real time data integration between the Blackboard Learning System and a customers current SCT Banner SIS. More specifically, integration is expected to provide the following: Page 1 of 8

2 Automate the process through event driven integration for account and course creation as well as user enrollment during peak add/drop enrollment/un-enrollment periods for the Blackboard Learning System. 2.1 System Integration Approach Through years of experience, Blackboard Consulting has developed an integration methodology focused on efficiency and quality. Its approach is broken into several, interrelated stages, designed to develop a robust solution that can be managed easily. The approach is highlighted below: Process Definition Solution Development Integration Certification Production Preparation Maintenance 2.2 Benefits Blackboard expects its approach to provide several critical benefits. From administrative activities to improving the end-user experience, systems integration creates opportunities for process improvement and alleviates resource constraints. 2.3 Blackboard System Requirements for Implementation of LD4eL In order to provide the aforementioned functions Blackboard Consulting will implement the SCT/Blackboard Event Integrator. The following items are required for implementation: Blackboard 6.1 Enterprise Edition (App Pack 1) with SCT Data Integration Agent The Blackboard LDI Event Integrator1 2.4 SCT System Requirements for Implementation of LD4eL Blackboard does not provide the SunGuard SCT Data Integration for elearning (LDI4eL) message broker. The following items are required for the implementation SCT Banner INTCOMP 5.3/6.1 or SCT Plus 1.19 Sunguard/SCT LDI4eL - Luminis Message Broker 1 Clients are required to license the SCT Event Integrator from Blackboard Page 2 of 8

3 3 Conceptual SCT Event Integrator Work Flow Page 3 of 8

4 The implementation plan below describes the suite of activities that the Blackboard Consulting Team and Client project team will participate in to complete the proposed solution. Each section of activities has specific outcomes that track towards completion of the project for production purposes while also providing knowledge transfer for a level client self sufficiency. 4 Implementation Plan The following activities describe the services engagement in which your organization and the assigned Blackboard team will participate. 4.1 Project Preparation and Kick Off Blackboard Consulting team members assigned to your organization s engagement. o Familiarization with your project requirements, including the final Statement of Work and knowledge transfer from the Blackboard Sales team o Setup of client centralized communication plan for tracking project activities, progress, issues, and risk o Preparation of materials for the project kick off conference call Conference call kick off with the client team conducted by Blackboard Consulting o Introduction of Blackboard and your team members o Review scope of the engagement as defined in the Statement of Work o Review the project plan at a high level o Describe the various client participants required for each stage of the project engagement. o Determine the project schedule, including scheduling of the onsite sessions After the kick off call, the Blackboard Consulting team prepares and delivers to the client a detailed agenda and supporting documentation for the project s onsite activities. 4.2 Systems Integration Process Definition Workshops led by Blackboard Consulting at the client s site: o Process definition exercises, including an overview of the conceptual solution, designed to identify specific business processes, data rules and proper implementation practices. o Data planning activities structured to identify existing business practices, map them to applicable Blackboard processes, and share best practices around common system issues. o Training on Blackboard s integration tools designed to build a foundation for the subsequent data integration activities. Page 4 of 8

5 4.3 Systems Evaluation Blackboard Consulting team members assigned to your organization s engagement will: Interview appropriate academic, administrative, data center and other IT support personnel to determine the academic, administrative, and architectural plans for e- learning implementation and deployment. Determine the appropriate dependent software is installed. Determine that appropriate hardware is available. Review hardware and network configuration. Verify remote connections so that the remote install can be completed successfully and on time. 4.4 Event Integrator Installation and Configuration Using the results of the process definition and data planning workshops, Blackboard consultants define, document and perform the necessary development and configuration activities. Develop the required integration utilities, processes and documentation. o Implement the Blackboard SCT Event Integrator Install and configure the LDI Event Integrator to receive event messages from LMB and propagate event data to the Blackboard database in the clients test environment Verify successful delivery of event data from the enterprise system to the learning management system(s). 4.5 Development and Implementation Communicate best practices for the ongoing use of the integration utilities. Provide expert project management of all Blackboard performed activities o Act as the primary point of contact for the client project manager o Define, document and update comprehensive project plans o Coordinate team meetings and regular updates via conference calls for both Blackboard and client constituents. o Provide regular status reports and monthly budget tracking o Track and report on any project issues o Summarize and coordinate project planning across all activities and Blackboard groups Consulting, Training, ASP, Quality Assurance, and Product Development. 4.6 QA and Functional Testing The Blackboard Consulting team will: Develop and deliver test plans for the activities described in the Development and Implementation section above. Develop test scripts with the client team Page 5 of 8

6 Provide functional testing use cases. Execute the steps in the test plan with client system administrators in the client test environment. Provide consulting support for system tests conducted by the client team prior to launch, covering: Integration components, processes and procedures Integration configuration 4.7 Project Documentation Blackboard Consulting will: Develop and deliver technical documentation and update procedures for each item described in the Development and Implementation section above. Develop and deliver the Project Final Report at the conclusion of the project. This report documents the deployed system 4.8 Systems Integration Certification Training Blackboard Consulting will conduct certification training specific to your implementation. The goal of the certification process is to provide client administrators with the skills they need for sound problem identification, troubleshooting and problem resolution across a variety of likely possibilities. Each step in the certification process uses information gathered during the process-definition stage and builds upon the previous step by starting with typical data-level errors and then considering to system-level issues. Blackboard Consulting will: Develop targeted Administrator Certification Training, designed to develop client internal talent capable of managing the integrated solution after project completion. Delivered this training through a hands-on, problem-based training program which includes testing the administrators knowledge of the integration process. 4.9 Project Closure At the conclusion of the project, Blackboard will furnish final documentation to the customer in the form of a project control binder. The activities that Blackboard Consulting will perform to accomplish this are: Business process requirements Integration configuration documentation Administrator Certification results reference material Production launch schedule Detailed production launch steps Project Final Report The documentation will include all materials developed throughout the project as well as suggested next steps for your organization. Page 6 of 8

7 The schedule below reflects the necessary timelines required to fulfill the appropriate project milestones. Key to staying on schedule is making sure we have the correct client participants. Our objective is to follow the project schedule as closely as possible providing there are no significant scheduling challenges or changes in project scope. 5 Schedule During the term of the project the Blackboard project team will guide the client team through a series of exercises focused on defining, designing and implementing a robust systems integration solution specific to your institutions application. The engagement begins with a series of workshops that outline the process and capture applicable business rules for Developing a Chalk Title. Next, the Blackboard consultants are available to design and develop the necessary integration components. Finally, they prepare the client team for self sufficiency. 5.1 Project Timeline [Figure1. Solution Project Plan - rough timeline] The project is estimated to be roughly two and half weeks from project initiation. A rough timeline is shown above. 5.2 Scheduling Requirements Blackboard Consulting s integration methodology assumes a certain level of effort from the customer team as well as SCT. For example, those individuals with direct responsibility for the integration tools and processes must be committed during these two weeks. Blackboard has found that this immersion is necessary to prepare customers for the ongoing demands of an integrated Blackboard system. The following table is intended to aid you in planning for this project: Please note: Blackboard consulting resources are available on a 1 st come first serve basis and will be assigned immediately after agreement on proposed work and signature of a Statement of Work Page 7 of 8

8 5.3 Scheduled Client Participants Project Task Process Definition Solution Implementation Integration Certification Production Preparation Roles Required Executive Sponsor System Administrator Project Manager SIS Specialist Registrar Network Administrator Faculty Representative Distance Learning IT Representative Academic Computing Project Manager Network Administrator Bb Integration Manager SIS Specialist System-level Administrator Security Manager Bb Integration Manager Project Manager Bb Integration Manager System-level Administrator Network Administrator SIS Specialist Security Manager 6 Conclusion and Blackboard Consulting appreciate your interest in working with our skilled team of technology experts. We believe the aforementioned proposal and estimate will meet the needs of the client by providing the necessary insight and training towards developing systems integration between the Blackboard Academic Suite and your Sungard SCT SIS system. Page 8 of 8