This is the story of how Concordia University Irvine used Evisions Argos robust Scheduling features to replace a failing data automation infrastructure to support a critical business function.

1. Jon Crosier – Concordia University Irvine
jon.crosier@cui.edu
Building a CRM to Banner Bridge
Using Argos for
Data Integration and Automation
@CUI_Crosier #evisions

2.  No documentation or support
(Original developer no longer available)
 Unreliable and no logging or error output
 Complicated and convoluted architecture
 24 hours to complete a full cycle
 Time consuming to manage and update
 Rapidly becoming more mission critical
The Challenge
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3.  Track down the original developer for help
(Whether by bribery or coercion)
 Rebuild the broken “black-box” parts on our own
 Scrap it all and build it better
(Whether we use home-grown or off-the-shelf components)
The Options
@CUI_Crosier #evisions

4.  Develop Argos Datablocks to execute
 Use Argos to schedule processes
 Build Argos extract reports for return data
The Architecture – Design Process
@CUI_Crosier #evisions

5. The Architecture – Components
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1. AY Application Started Dataset
2. AY Application Submitted Dataset
3. Web Inquiry Form Submitted Dataset
4. Bulk Loaded Dataset
5. CAO Application In Progress Dataset
6. CAO Application Completed Dataset
7. CAO Application Supplement Submitted Dataset
8. CRM Application Create/Update Dataset
9. CRM Application Decision/Deposit Dataset
10. CRM Merit Award Dataset
11. MySQL Application Submitted Dataset
12. MySQL Application Decision/Deposit Dataset
13. MySQL Merit Award Dataset
14. Banner ID Dataset
15. Banner Financial Aid Award Dataset
16. Banner Enrolled / Cancelled Dataset
17. MySQL Banner ID Dataset
18. MySQL Financial Aid Award Dataset
19. MySQL Enrolled / Cancelled Dataset
20. Argos Admissions Application Funnel Dataset
21. Banner Student Records Information Dataset
Hobsons Apply
Yourself (AY)
CUI Web Inquiry
Form
Common App
Online (CAO)
Local Application
BridgeSchema
Hobsons Connect
(CRM)
Banner Student
Schema
Argos Application
Engine &
Scheduler
External Bulk
Dataload & Paper
Applications
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@CUI_Crosier #evisions

6. The Architecture – Dataflow Overview
Student
Applies
in AY/CAO
or CUI App
App Bridged
to Connect
App
Submitted
App Submit
Set in
Connect
Connect App
Bridged to
Banner
ID Created
in Banner
ID Bridged
to Connect
Accept /
Deposit in
Connect
Dec/Dep
Bridged to
Banner
SAADMS
Updated in
Banner
SGASTDN
Record
Generated
IT Process
Creates
Accounts
FA
Information
Bridged to
Hobsons
Student
Registers in
Banner Self-
Service
Enroll
Bridged to
Hobsons
@CUI_Crosier #evisions

7. App
Submit
Data
Banner ID
Extract
Financial
Aid Extract
Decision
Data
Deposit
Data
Enroll
Extract
Other Data
Extract
The Architecture – Dataflow & Datablocks
Misc Data Datablock Apps Datablock
CID/BID Datablock
FINAID DatablockDec/Dep Datablock
Reg Datablock
@CUI_Crosier #evisions

8.  Develop Argos Datablocks to execute
 Use Argos to schedule processes
 Build Argos extract reports for return data
 Use the existing Oracle “bolt-on” schema
 Develop new packages and procedures
 Continue using internal Banner App Processing
The Architecture – Design Process
@CUI_Crosier #evisions

9. The Architecture – Technical
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10. Show-&-Tell
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11.  Reliable bridging with verbose error logs
 4+ hours/week maintaining is now > 5 min/week
 Complete documentation and source code
 Most bridge process run hourly or on-demand
 Average failure rate from ~12% to > 2%
 Very simple to extend and expand as needed
The Results
@CUI_Crosier #evisions

12.  Incorporate Web Services for App/Dec data
 Update App Submit to hourly, rather than 4x/day
 Update Dec/Dep to hourly, rather than 4x/day
 Add New Race/ New Ethnicity to bridge
 Add new reporting dataset for Argos
 Add error detection and auto-mitigation
What’s Next
@CUI_Crosier #evisions

13. Questions
&
Answers
Jon Crosier – Concordia University Irvine
jon.crosier@cui.edu
@CUI_Crosier #evisions