Two vendor presentations took place for the UDATA project in March. Friday, March 5th was what seems to be the current leading contender - Digital Measures. Tuesday, March 9th, Key Solutions presented their product.
Below are links to the UMConnect recorded presentations:
Digital Measures - Friday, March 5th
Key Solutions - Tuesday, March 9th
Molly attended the Digital Measures demo. Christopher and Stacey attended the Key Solutions presentation.
Molly's comments on the Digital Measures presentation:
Stacey's comments on the Key Solutions presentation:
Yes, the Key Solutions demo was also a bit difficult to sit through but here is my quick summary:
-We can search!! Both within the data and any uploaded documents. They are working on search for audio and visual uploads. Expertise search is an option as is reporting options based on specific categories (this is still to be worked out in the development if we purchase this system)
-Data would be inputted two ways: (1) through connection to other U of M systems (PeopleSoft HRMS etc.) or (2) Faculty/administrator input
-Data would be accessed in two ways: (1) through log-in and search/reports from the system or (2) through data dumps/connections to other U of M systems
I'll let Christopher add his thoughts but my basic thought is that this system would meet our needs better than Digital Measures. However, the searching and reporting is only as good as the data and set up so if other users aren't impressed by the other functionality of this system (as compared to Digital Measures) it obviously won't be any good for us either...
Molly's comments on Digital Measures:
The Digital Measures demo this morning was LONG but informative. Here's what I learned:
-The database will interface with other databases to pull info
-It would be possible to run reports by country on faculty activity. This is predicated on faculty entering the information, so it would need to be built into the system. -There is no keyword search function, so the "expertise" functionality is very limited. He said they are working on it.
So I think we could use this database to get information on places faculty work in the world or have research provided the faculty appropriately input the information.
I don't have a lot to add to what Stacey wrote, other than to say that I think the Key Solutions product would be better for where the software is now. I am basing that opinion on search capabilities.
Since I did not see the Digital Measures presentation (or the earlier ones), I can't comment intelligently about a comparison outside of that, but I appreciated from Key Solutions the ability to share data between other university systems, standards-based architecture (this is for you Stacey), integration of x.500, etc. A number of OIT staff came for the last portion of the presentation to hear the technical considerations and so I feel OIT will be reasonably educated about both products.
I agree a major focus, of course, will be to get staff and faculty to utilize the system once designed and implemented. What are the carrots for entering data? How do we affect those that may be structuring the interface so that entry is easy? Are there tangible benefits for staff and faculty to enter data? If not, how to get them to do it anyway? I'm sure I am duplicating discussions that have been held but wanted to mention it quickly.
I will put a blog together for the UDATA project with as much info as I have access to and share the link.