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Applications Technology Services will facilitate and support the development and implementation of University computer software applications, and improve customer service through the redesign and optimization of business processes.

The following is a list and brief description of the majority of applications/services that we support. If you would like more information about any of these products, please contact Denise Grinnell, Manager of Applications Technology Services. If you are currently using one of these software applications and need assistance, please contact TAC at 231-591-4822 or submit an on-line work request here.

ACE Ware

-- Non-credit student manager registration software used by College of Professional & Technological Studies (CPTS) and Corporate & Professional Services (CPS). Supported by: Mike Cline and Steven Costello.

AiM (FacilityMax)

-- A work ticket system used by the Physical Plant to collect, track, and process work requests related to Grounds, Engineering, Housing, Trades, Custodial, etc. Supported by: Sean Smart and Steven Stellard.

Application Manager (AppWorx)

-- This software package automates programming tasks and is most frequently used to process Banner job submissions. Supported by: Mike Cline, Jerome Forbes, Sean Smart, Steven Stellard, and others in Enrollment Services.

Banner (INB and SSB)

-- Relational database used to store and process the primary functions of the university – admissions applications, student registration, financial aid, enrollments, and billing, employee records and paychecks, etc. INB = Internet Native Banner (web-based client for power users); SSB = Self Serve Banner (simplified web-based view and entry forms). Supported by: Mike Cline, Vicky Deur, Jerome Forbes, Paul Peoples, Sean Smart, and others in Human Resources and Enrollment Services.

Course Connectors

-- Course packs pre-created by MacGraw Hill which can be installed and integrated with FerrisConnect. These course packs can include assessment review and instruction system (assists) and homework management to be used by the faculty. Supported by: Mary Holmes, Scott Randle, and Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning.

CPS

-- Typically called the "clicker system." Allows faculty to program quizzes for student to take real-time in the classroom by pressing a button on the hand-held device to submit their answer. These answers are downloaded to the faculty members computer and can be integrated into the Gradebook for FerrisConnect. Supported by: Mary Holmes, Scott Randle, and Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning.

FerrisConnect

-- An e-learning course management system powered by Blackboard Vista. Provides web-based tools for face-to-face, blended, and fully on-line classes, such as: announcements, document storage, assessments, gradebook, discussion board, chat, etc. Supported by: Mary Holmes and Scott Randle.

Ferris Web Site

-- The official Web site for Ferris State University. Supported by: Terri Aldrich, Steven Stellard, and University Advancement & Marketing.

Form Fusion

-- A software package used to design output for forms in a pleasing manner. This product is used in conjunction with Banner for payroll an AP checks, W2, 1098Ts, etc. Supported by: Sean Smart and Steven Stellard.

Intellicheck

-- A product from Evisions that is used for check printing in Accounts Payable, Human Resources, and the Business Office.  Supported by: Steven Stellard.

Kronos

-- A web-based timekeeping system. This system allows users to either punch in at a time clock or log in through a web browser at a workstation to log their work time. Supervisors approve employees "punches," and the data is loaded into Banner payroll for paycheck processing. Supported by: Vicky Deur and Steven Stellard.

LockDown Browser

-- An add-on to FerrisConnect. This product, when turned on by the faculty member for a particular course section in FerrisConnect, will lock the student’s web browser while they take an assessment so they are unable to search for information outside of the assessment in progress. Supported by: Mary Holmes, Scott Randle, and Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning.

MyFSU

-- A web-based portal. The Luminis software application allows users to create channels and deliver them to customers based on roles (faculty, staff, student, etc.). FSU utilizes MyFSU as a one-stop-shop to integrate the majority of our enterprise-wide software applications (such as Banner, FerrisConnect, e-mail, etc.) in a single sign-on or consistent sign-on environment. Supported by: Vicky Deur and Steven Stellard.

ODS

-- Operational Data Store. ODS data is refreshed nightly from Banner so that reports can be written on static data in an off-line environment rather than the live Banner system. This can increase processing time of reports and decrease the load on the live Banner system. Supported by: Jerome Forbes and others in Enrollment Services.

Respondus

-- Create and manage exams that can be printed to paper or integrated with FerrisConnect. Supported by: Mary Holmes, Scott Randle, and Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning.

SafeAssign

-- Compares submitted assignments against a set of academic papers to identify areas of overlap between the submitted assignments and exiting works. SafeAssign can be used to prevent plagiarism and to create opportunities to help students identify how to properly attribute rather than paraphrase. . Supported by: Mary Holmes, Scott Randle, and Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning.

Scholar

-- A social bookmarking service customized for education. It provides an exciting new way for students and instructors to find educationally valuable resources on the web. . Supported by: Mary Holmes, Scott Randle, and Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning.

StudyMate Class Server

-- A study group tool where teachers and students create study materials and self assessments in a collaborative web-based environment.. Supported by: Mary Holmes, Scott Randle, and Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning.

Tegrity

-- A streaming video capture and storage application. This software allows faculty members to pre-record or live-record portions of or entire classes and post within FerrisConnect for review by students at their convenience. Supported by: Mary Holmes, Scott Randle and Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning.

WebFOCUS

-- A web-based report writing tool. This application is primarily used to pull and display data from the Banner system. Reports can be run on-demand, stored to a "Library" or scheduled to run based on a calendar. Supported by: Rick Manuszak and Steven Stellard.

Xtender

-- A document imaging system. Documents can be scanned and stored for viewing or printing (limited due to security). Xtender is integrated with Banner so that documents associated with a person are accessible when that person's record is brought up. This application is also being used as an electronic "filing cabinet" in areas such as Accounting and Purchasing. Supported by: Enrollment Services, Sean Smart, and Steven Stellard.