Pilot Project Report -- Technology Strategy

Technology Strategy: Web Interface, Internet Standards, Modularity

Most of the imaging software available on the market is LAN-based, which conflicts with the University's technical strategy. LANs in the central offices are being replaced with TCP/IP connections to the campus ethernet. In addition, open systems that can be supported internally are preferred to proprietary applications. In the interest of finding the best overall solution, C&C looked for an alternative that could meet departmental requirements while satisfying these objectives:

• Information access from X terminals and PCs
• Distribution of information over the existing campus network
• Consistency with campus and higher education standards
• Supportable and maintainable systems

Web technology offered the ideal solution. Web browsers can deliver the application to any desktop computer with no other platform-specific application code, and they are already widely used and supported on X terminals and PCs. The web has clearly emerged as a standard environment within and beyond higher education, and it is easily accessible over the existing campus network. Since technology continues to evolve rapidly, supportability and maintainability is crucial. Using existing components which can be upgraded independently increases flexibility while reducing support costs.