In a previous Colleague Implementation News issue we spoke of "data conversion."  That leads to the question, "What happens to our old information system after we've converted the data from it?"

As with any conversion from one system to another, there will have to be a period of "parallel operation." For example, during Summer 2 we will start registering students in Colleague, but it will seem to students as though we're only using the legacy HP system for registration. Additionally, we will be closing out (and grading) existing terms in our legacy system, and thus will use two student systems for a period of a few months.

Additionally as we start registering students in Colleague, Payroll will have had a period of parallel operation. CTC will run a number of payrolls in its existing system and also run those same payrolls in Colleague. The results of the Colleague payrolls will be compared to the other, so that when we do fully convert HR and payroll, the payroll process will be as perfect as possible.

However, there will come a time where we will no longer be entering any new data into the existing legacy HP mainframe. At that point we still won't quite shut off power to it. Some of the data in that system we will want to keep for historical purposes, but it won't make sense to convert into Colleague. Thus there will be a period when we'll be converting some of that "legacy data" into formats similar to the old microfiche (although the current technology uses read/write CDs).

"Why not convert everything into Colleague?" Some of that data, although it might be required in the future, wouldn't be used often enough to justify converting it. An example of this might be years-old financial data that we might be audited on years down the line, but certainly won't be calling up on a frequent basis.

However since CTC is paying maintenance fees on the old mainframe, there will come a time when the power to that system will be shut off. Whether that is in 2005 or later, isn't yet determined. Rest assured, though, before power is shut off to the old mainframe, the various implementation teams will work with campus constituencies to make sure that all useful data is removed.

Find out more about the CTC Colleague Implementation