Campus wide information system development at three UK universities

Abstract

Campus wide information systems (CWIS) are the newest development in the electronic campus, providing information on many aspects of campus life. This article gives a brief overview of CWIS development in the United Kingdom as at summer 1993. As yet there is no definitive CWIS, so a range of third generation systems were looked at in detail at the Universities of Birmingham, Bradford and Stirling. Within each, attention is given to differences in organisational policy, functionality, software and information provision. An appraisal of the specific case studies was undertaken both onsite and remotely via a national gateway. A comparison of the systems draws out features that should be available on an ideal CWIS. Future developments, including the advent of standards such as X.500 and Z39.50 and the adoption of common software, will lead to greater interaction between institutions. All of this coupled with the development of hypermedia and multimedia will ensure CWISs will become a powerful tool in the provision of information.