Universities benefit from shared database solutions
Submitted by The CBORD Group

Colleges and Universities are finding shared database capabilities between their campus card system and housing management system to be a major benefit to their campuses.  One of the nightmares for college & university administrators is learning and maintaining multiple databases in order to successfully do their jobs.  A combined database cuts down on un-necessary data entry, reduces training needs, and provides important functions and features not found in systems with separate or merely ‘interfaced’ databases.   

The CBORD Group, Inc. created the Odyssey suite of products to meet this single database need. Odyssey HMSä  (Housing Management System) provides tools for creating web based housing applications, room selections, automatic assignments, facilities tracking, student assignment tracking, custom field capability and standard or custom reporting processing.  The Odyssey PCSä (Privilege Control System) is a Windows 2000-based system that integrates all campus cashless activities and revenue generating transactions onto one card over the campus network.  Together, they provide a seamless integration of campus card and housing management tools.  With Datacard Video Imaging added, using the same database, student information and pictures are available to administrators across a broad spectrum of housing and auxiliary services.

Indiana State recently upgraded to CBORD’s Odyssey PCS/HMS shared database solution and has seen good efficiencies. Pam Dwenger, Systems Coordinator, Auxiliary Services stated, “One of the best reasons for having a shared database is the meal plan integration feature. This is especially powerful if you have mandatory meal plans for your residents. You can create the meal plan contract at the same time as you create the housing contract. Then you can change plans, add/remove balances, and terminate the meal plans all from within HMS.” Additionally, Pam commented “Our campus is currently in phase 2 of a 3-phase project to change our student ID from social security number to a generated 9-digit number. The number is generated in Banner and in Odyssey through the Banner/PCS interface. We do not have to worry about making the change in HMS. Now that’s efficiency!”

The University of Northern Colorado has also been using CBORD’s Odyssey PCS & Odyssey HMS shared database. Doug Gibson, Support Manager - University of Northern Colorado commented  “ Some of the obvious benefits of having both systems that run through one database include, a lower cost for hardware and licenses, reduced number of interfaces into out-campus systems, better client support with a single installation, significantly reduced training and having one contact for all support needs. “