SIF Compliance: Scalability and Integration
The SIF compliant topology enables Vantage FusionTM to be a scalable solution both vertically and horizontally.
The schools and districts can use all modules of Vantage FusionTM or can choose any specific module/modules of the system. Many schools face problems during data migration and integration when they purchase a new software. The ease of integration with other SIF compliant applications makes Vantage FusionTM even more attractive since it is a burden for districts and schools to integrate different applications, transfer data, re-enter student information and/or start a new system from the scratch. (See figure 1)
Figure 1
By means of scalability, Vantage FusionTM acts like a district-wide data warehouse from which various reports can be generated and used as a feedback for strategic decision-making. The district administrators are equipped with streamlining transparent, precise, accountable and real-time data with no time waste and communication cost by Vantage FusionTM. Vantage FusionTM applications can be hosted by districts, Vantage or school itself and the distributed data can be shared among schools, districts and even state. Regardless of the hosting facility, integration and scalability can be managed. (See figure 2)
Figure 2
In scalable solutions, a top down hierarchy is applied. The amount of data to be monitored and edited varies according to the user profile. A district can view all schools and students, and communicate all of them, a school administrator can monitor her/his own school only and a teacher can only see data of students which take lessons in his/her section.
Another vital feature of scalable SIS systems is the ability to manage and process large amounts of data and serve highly populated user base. Vantage FusionTM has been designed to serve for district level applications. Accordingly with the need, server farms can be set up for load balancing.
Manageable Authorization Levels
Vantage FusionTM enables creating new user profiles and manage levels of authorization. Administrators can also create or edit authorization levels of different user groups. By using this feature, the administrators can delegate any specific task to any specific profile without giving access to the whole system. New profiles like executive assistants and assistant managers can be created, and their authorization level to monitor and edit data can be set.
Web Based Infrastructure
Full web-based infrastructure enables real-time data flow and reporting. On the other hand, thin clients do not either waste time and energy with installation or incur any additional software and hardware costs but an internet connection and a browser. The district administrators, school administrators, teachers, students, parents and other users can work synchronously without any boundaries of time and place. By using a web-based system, the efficiency, collaboration and interaction between administrators, teachers, students, parents and other users can be increased, and more time in schools will be spent for educational success.
Rich User Experience
Another competitive advantage of Vantage FusionTM is Web 2.0 interface design and page lay-out. This communicative rather than decorative interface has a very modern look and a standard internet user can easily navigate through the menus. By using the customizable dashboard enriched with changeable colors and drag & drop and hide panels, users can reach their own choice of data easily as soon as they connect to Vantage FusionTM.
Ajax technology used in the screens increases functionality in the menus and minimizes the number of screens to complete a procedure. By using the menus and buttons ordered with simple and solid semantic logic and pop-up windows, the users can overcome complex applications with great ease and comfort.
This brand-new web practice enables all users, even the ones with low-level of IT literacy adapt to Vantage FusionTM easily and use it efficiently. As a result, the time and money spent on training and the mistakes resulted from the users get minimized.
Language Integrated Query Language
Embedded “Microsoft Linq tm” technology enables users to query and filter database with English-Like queries.
Dim students = From student In MySchool.StudentPersonals
Where student.GiftedTalented = TrueAnd
student.Homeless = TrueAnd
student.PersonalInfo.Demographics.Gender.Code = "Male"
Select student, student.StudentContactList
By using this feature, any average computer user can query data or create new reports in addition to built-in ones. The parameters can even be saved and used anytime needed. At the end of the day, the users won’t require the help of IT departments to extract data from the database and prepare reports for them.
Security
All users of the system have their own user names and passwords. Even some sensitive data is encrypted in the database such as counseling session notes so that nobody including the IT staff can access without an additional password. Direct access to database is not allowed, users acess the database through Vantage FusionTM business logic. Districts and schools can integrate SSL protocol to Vantage FusionTM to provide top level security.All logs and sequential data are kept in the system so that the user traffic can be monitored. Vantage FusionTM has also an advanced back-up system which takes back-up regularly.
Assistance Services
Customization: Vantage FusionTM Project Managers analyses the needs and IT Infrastructures of schools and districts before implementing the software. For best results the software is customized during this process accordingly if needed.
Data Migration: Vantage FusionTM team is well experienced in data migration process. Thanks to well designed database layer and object-oriented software development, a healthy migration procedure ends up with great success in implementation.
Online Support: Vantage FusionTM support can be reached online instantly. Voice conversation, e-mail correspondence, chat and remote control tools are used efficiently for high customer satisfaction
Online Update: Vantage FusionTM team are in tune with the latest changes in regulations, recent technological and newest educational trends. On the other hand, we have well defined feedback mechanisms to improve our software. As a result of this dynamic development process, Vantage FusionTM is updated regularly. These regular updates are being downloaded by Vantage FusionTM instances online as they are published.
TO THE ATTENTION OF IT DIRECTORS!!
Vantage FusionTMhas a multi-tiered architecture which liberates data layer, business layer and presentation layer from each other and provides a great deal of flexibility in terms of development, modification and transfer of new technologies.
Extensible Business Layer
SDK Like class libraries can be used to extend and customize the software. This structure enables IT departments further develop their specific needs by creating new interfaces for specific needs using SDK development kit. This open architecture minimizes the costs for maintenance and saves time for schools and districts.
Vendor Independent Data Layer
To lower the startup and maintenance costs, Vantage FusionTM is designed to be database neutral. It can use most of the known vendors’ database servers as the data layer, namely MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL Server, Oracle etc. Even radical changes in business and presentation layers do not compel the use of a specific database. This feature enables schools and districts continue with their database providers.
Independent Presentation Layer
The system interoperates in any machine that can run a browser like computers, cell phones and PDA’s. The data in the data layer is buffered to the interface by business layer.
Multi-Language Support
Vantage FusionTM’s multi-language support enables foreign administrators, teachers and staff use the system efficiently. On the other hand, by using this feature, schools can run international projects by using Vantage FusionTM platform.
Authentication support for Active Directory
By using the Active Directory Authentication Support, users can access the system via their active directory username and passwords which were already been created.
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