Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Portal Partnership Delivers Lotus Domino Platform for New Web System To Handle Projects and Dissertations for Students at Faculty of Maths and Computing, Open University

Portal Partnership has today announced that IT Support Staff working within the Faculty of Maths and Computing at the Open University, have just released the 1st phase of the Projects and Dissertation System (PADS), a new web-based system which allows students studying for postgraduate computing qualifications to choose or propose their dissertation topics online.

The delivery of the PADS project was completed in record time and is based on IBM's 'Lotus Domino' environment. 'Domino' is used widely in the Faculty for websites, Administrative services and support. PADS includes standard campus user authentication, including Active Directory and SAMS.

The software code in PADS was developed in just 7 weeks following an extensive study of the old system and user requirements. Programming was completed in consultation with Open University Analyst/Project Manager Nicky Waters and M801 Course Chair Blaine Price

“PADS records each registered student's choice of project against a list of topics provided by Computing Department staff, or by the individual student," comments Waters. "A workflow system then provides close interaction with Computing Department staff supervising students and their chosen topics."

PADS replaces a previous version and the new system has is configurable for any Faculty or University Project and Dissertation course using a similar registration and recording model to that used in M801. (M801 builds on student’s practical and academic skills and knowledge and is the final element in the MSc in Computing for Commerce and Industry/Management of Software Projects/Networks and Distributed Systems and MSc in Software Development.)

"The first phase of this project was defined and delivered within 3 months and is testament to the strength of our working relationship and the agility of Lotus Domino," said Mike Owen-Lloyd, Business Development Director, Portal Partnership. "A second development phase which will be delivered in September this year, will handle special requirements for submission and routing of TMAs for M801.“

About The Open University

The Open University is the UK’s largest university. More than 160,000 people across the country are currently studying with the OU; more than 40,000 people worldwide are also students. One in five of all part-time higher education students in the UK are studying with the Open University.

For more info, please visit www.computing.open.ac.uk/Course/M801 to read about the M801 Research Project and Dissertation module that uses the newly developed PADS system and pads.open.ac.uk to view the front page of the new site.

About Portal Partnership

Portal Partnership is an IBM Premier Business Partner, combining creativity, innovation and technology.

Our skills and experience in Portal Applications, Enterprise Content Management, Business Process Integration, Security, Storage & Availability and Messaging & Collaboration; enable us to deliver solutions that optimise organisational communication, collaboration and workforce productivity.

For more info, please visit www.portalpartnership.com

Please visit http://pads.open.ac.uk to view the front page of the site. For further info, interviews or imagery, contact:

Monique Chambers
Compass Rose
Tel: 0870 2407995
Mob: 07788 751722