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Polytech merger creates largest Artena system in New Zealand

22 November 2011

Polytech merger creates largest Artena system in New Zealand

The merger of Hawke's Bay's Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) and Gisborne's Tairawhiti Polytechnic has created the largest Artena database in New Zealand, containing around 150,000 student records.

This is the first time Student Management Software Solutions Ltd (SMSS) has merged two Artena databases to create a fully integrated student management system of this size.

Artena is a web-based system that allows users to track and manage all stages of a student's life, from the point of admission and enrolment, through until graduation.

"The merged system allows us to streamline our enrolment processes across the two campuses and eliminate the potential double handling and inconsistencies that could have developed going into the busy 2012 enrolment period," said EIT chief executive, Chris Collins.

"It also benefits our students just as much as our staff because it allows us to combine other systems and processes which, in turn, ensure students receive the same level of service and access to EIT systems."

Mr Collins said the new Artena system provides instant management level reporting data for both internal and external requirements.

He said having SMSS conduct the software merger was EIT's favoured option and allowed internal IT resources to be directed at other equally important projects.

"Having a combined student management system before our institutes merged would have been ideal. However, this wasn't possible due to timeframes.

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"Despite that, we are delighted with how quickly and smoothly we have been able to combine the student management systems. We have been able to retain all historical data and there have been no major technical difficulties since going live.

"This has allowed us to get on with the important job of enrolling students for 2012."

SMSS product manager, Harvey Buchman, said there was careful analysis of the difference in data between the two sites before the project commenced.

"SMSS worked closely with both EIT and Tairawhiti to plan every detail of the merger in advance. We're very pleased the project came in on time and on budget."

Mr Buchman acknowledged the merger was a side project to the organisation's normal work which focusses on support and maintenance of Artena and development of new functionality.

"But now we have broadened the skills base at SMSS and we now have the knowledge and templates to replicate this kind of project."

ENDS

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