New search tool takes the hassle out of research

Whitman School and SU Library partner to build information gateway prototype

For research-minded students, the Syracuse University Library Web site serves up a virtual cornucopia of online databases that can lead students to authoritative information on almost any subject imaginable. However, such a wealth of choices can also be a bit mind boggling for students of the Google generation. That's why the SU Library partnered with the Martin J. Whitman School of Management to develop a "one-stop-shopping," academic-focused online information resource for students and faculty.

The new Business and Management Information Gateway will be available at the beginning of the spring semester. The Gateway is custom designed to provide students and faculty with information resources and services based on their NetID. Students and faculty can access the Gateway by clicking on "more search options" in the new SU Library Search box on the school's Blackboard Community intranet. Searches can also be conducted directly through Blackboard Community without going to the Gateway.

Powered by software called MetaLib, the new Gateway search box eliminates the need for students and faculty to conduct multiple individual searches on databases that are available on the SU Library Web site. Instead, Metalib conducts a behind-the-scenes search of business and management databases that have been programmed into the system and returns a simple list of possible resources based on a single keyword search. The databases that were programmed into the system were selected by the project team that developed the prototype.  

Project team members from the Whitman School included Andy Covell, director of information technology; Trdib Mazumdar, associate dean for faculty development and research; Steve Matyas, interim assistant dean; Ravi Shukla, associate dean-MBA and MS programs; and Clint Tankersley, associate dean-undergraduate programs. SU Library team members included DeAnn Buss, associate University librarian; Angela Ramnarine-Rieks, Web specialist; and Lydia Wasylenko, associate librarian.

In addition to the search tool, the Gateway includes links to course-specific information and direct links to online business and management databases and journals. Other tools include an assignment planner for students and an online chat box-powered by Meebo, which enables students to IM a business and management librarian in the SU Library without having to install chat software on their personal computer.   

"This is a prototype," Buss says. "We are hoping to use the results of this prototype to build similar academic-specific information gateways for other schools and colleges. For students, it will be as easy as Google, except that their search results will yield scholarly, peer-reviewed resources from professional journals."

OnBase Enterprise Licensing

Enterprise licensing of OnBase, developed by Hyland Software, has been approved for campus wide implementation at Syracuse University.

OnBase is enterprise content management software that combines integrated document management, business process management, and records management functionality.  Some major features of the software include:

• Ability to image and store documents, whether from paper or electronic sources.
• Flexible and quicker retrieval of documents, with the use of multiple keywords values.  
• Access to imaged documents directly from major applications, such as PeopleSoft.
• Ability to move related documents through a pre-defined workflow.
• Full text searching with optical character recognition (OCR) of documents, where necessary.
• Granular secure access to imaged documents using any combination of department or area, type of document, or keyword value. 

The Treasurer's Office, Bursar's Office, General Accounting, and Enrollment Management areas currently image business documents for various uses.  This year with enterprise licensing, the following projects are scheduled to be implemented:

• Bursar's Office:  Allow secure access by parents and students to retrieve imaged bills through MySlice.  
• Enrollment Management: Image all undergraduate application documents, conduct review online by the Admissions staff, and provide secure access by the Registrar's staff to the matriculated student folders.  Plans are also underway to implement workflow of the electronic student folder for the 09 undergraduate and graduate applications, allowing for reviewers in each of the graduate schools to review online.
• Institutional Advancement: Image alumni and donor records.
• Law School: Image current application documents and historical law student records for improved management of student records by Law Admissions and Law Registrar's Office.
• Office of Sponsored Programs: Image grant documentation and allow secure access to appropriate staff, including Principle Investigators, budget managers, and the Office of Sponsored Accounting,  to view the electronic documents.

Additionally, many other "Discovery" projects are underway to determine how best to utilize the software for improved operational efficiencies. Those interested in finding out more about OnBase can e-mail Diane Oad at ECM or call 443-1000.

 Submitted by Diane Oad

IT Professional Development