Texas Wesleyan University - Datatel SQL Server Report Migration

Client:
Texas Wesleyan University is a private, four-year coeducational university located in Polytechnic Heights. Founded in 1890, the university offers a range of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs.

Challenge:

Migrate hundreds of operational reports in preparation for transition to SQL Server

Like other Datatel institutions, Texas Wesleyan made the decision to transition from a Unidata database to SQL Server. Report migration, from the old system to the new system, was a major component of this process. Texas Wesleyan needed a vendor with extensive data migration expertise to prepare the Querybuilder-based reports for migration.

Solution:

IData managed and delivered each task of the report migration process for Texas Wesleyan. This process entailed first evaluating the reports by department to see what tables and columns needed to be added in the ODS database. IData then worked with Texas Wesleyan to add additional fields to the ODS repository. Once the ODS fields were in place, IData created each of the new reports in SQL Server. IData utilized its collaborative data management tool, the Data Cookbook, to document all current reports and add technical definitions for the data elements on each report. The Data Cookbook also functioned as a mode of communication between IData and Texas Wesleyan IT staff.

Implementation:

IData successfully migrated more than 200 reports despite tight deadlines. Texas Wesleyan’s IT Applications Support Manager, Wes Shelton, attributed the timeliness of project completion to the ongoing support of IData’s team of experts. By working closely with Texas Wesleyan’s IT department and providing needed resources, IData ensured that tasks were accomplished on time. The Data Cookbook further increased the efficiency of the migration process. This collaborative tool facilitated conversation between the school and IData. “It allowed us to ask questions,” said Brigitte Mudukuti, Texas Wesleyan’s IT Applications Director. Additionally, the Data Cookbook gave Texas Wesleyan a central location to store important terms. The Data Cookbook eliminated confusion over commonly used words, such as current student.

Results:

IData completed the report migration quickly and effectively as a result of its data management expertise, committed staff, and keen problem solving abilities. In addition to migrating all necessary reports, IData also equipped Texas Wesleyan with the Data Cookbook. This data dictionary and collaborative software fostered internal and external communication, enabled user testing and approval and consolidated term definitions. Mudukuti noted less “grey areas” because of the Data Cookbook.

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