Responsible for co-leading the division’s delivery of IT services to our customers, this department provides business application analysis, data analysis and software solution determination for University clients, to include functional requirements definition, project scope determination, software application design and development, support for selection and implementation of 3rd party software, assistance with configuring existing enterprise applications, and business intelligence/information management activities. 

The IT Development and Applications department is located on the first floor of Alumni Memorial Hall. 

Below is a more detailed list of services provided by IT Development and Applications:

1. Banner Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System Support:
         Banner fuses administrative and academic functions, managing core operations data and giving faculty and offices the secure, 24x7, online access to the information they need.   Banner enables the scheduling of courses, assignments of teaching locations and faculty to courses, entering and managing of grades, production of transcripts, and other key functions associated with teaching.  Banner provides a hard “shell” around the data that is crucial to our core missions, allowing access only to those administrative and academic personnel who are authorized to see, or enter it.  ITDA assists departments with the use of the Banner system, and customizes Banner to meet the University’s administrative and academic needs.
2. Development of Auxiliary Software Applications:
         To add value to Banner and meet the operational and regulatory requirements of the University, auxiliary software applications are developed by ITDA on a regular basis. Key projects include the development of the Internet Development Office & Data System (IDODS) to facilitate the work of fundraising professionals in the University’s Advancement division; construction of an online course evaluation system;  and development of the NCATE assessment management system for the University’s Education Department.
3. Business Intelligence:
         ITDA supports the University’s use of Argos, a Web-based, report writing tool that enables departments to access data in our enterprise database and make meaningful information of it.  Argos was designed to allow business analysts and departmental data stewards to quickly access the information they need and output it in the formats they want.  It contains built-in functionality for scheduling and delivery which automates the distribution of reports, built either by ITDA or departments’ designated data block designers.  Use of Argos allows the University to leverage the information contained in our databases for more efficient and effective decision making.
4. Electronic Document Management:
         Electronic Document Management practices help University administrative and academic departments increase the efficiency of their operations and effectiveness of their communications. Two main solutions include the SunGard imaging and document management suite, which allows for documents to be scanned into electronic images and then linked directly to records in the Banner ERP, and the Xythos electronic document management system (RoyalDrive), which allows for storage and management of all types of electronic documents, as well as remote access to those documents.  ITDA’s application administrators provide support for these products through user and group management, as well as customized application development.
5. 3^rd Party Software Support & Research:
         IT Development and Applications works in conjunction with the IT Services department to investigate, evaluate, and support enterprise-level software applications such as the Numara Footprints help desk and customer support system, and ANGEL learning management system. Many of these systems are supported by a full-time application administrator who provides user and group management, as well as customization of the systems to meet the University’s needs.  Our team also provides integration between the University’s enterprise systems and “cloud” or 3^rd party, hosted applications that enhance the effectiveness of individual departments, such as Human Resources, and Student Conduct.  Examples include building the interface between the my.scranton portal to the Connect-ED emergency notification system. We ask departments to contact us if you are looking at 3^rd party software to meet your department’s needs.  We’ll be happy to help evaluate options, and see if the software can be successfully integrated with our enterprise database.
6. Web Support and Application Development:
        ITDA provides support for the University’s intranet and public Web site, and develops custom, Web-based software applications for our customers.  Two key tools form the focus of the intranet and public Web site services: (1) the my.scranton.edu Web portal and (2) the Hannon Hill Cascade server, a web content management system (CMS).  ITDA offers consultation and technical support to University departments regarding the content and navigation of legacy Web pages and partners with the Office of Public Relations (PR) to provide similar help for those sites maintained in the CMS.  ITDA has been supporting the work of PR to migrate hundreds of Web pages in www.scranton.edu to the CMS.
        The my.scranton portal functions as the University’s intranet, and integrates with the Banner ERP.  Access to just about every enterprise information system used by faculty, staff and students is available through my.scranton, including email, calendar, Royal Drive file management system, Angel learning management system, emergency notification system, Banner self-service, and dozens of auxiliary systems.  ITDA provides support and customization of the my.scranton.edu portal, constantly enhancing its content and functionality for greater use by the University’s extended community, including accepted students, and board members. It should be noted that University departments may work with ITDA to develop and maintain customized content within my.scranton via the CMS. 
        ITDA also builds custom, database-driven, Web-based applications and software that are made accessible via the my.scranton.edu portal, and the University’s public Web site.  (See number 2 above)