Manager says ISIS project completion in sight

Ron Niendorf, who’s in charge of implementing a new campus records system, knows something about big changes.

A decade ago, Niendorf shepherded the successful implementation of touchtone registration. That system, deployed in 1987-88, dramatically overhauled class registration, easing the process for every student on campus and generating lots of news coverage.

“That was my first experience with that kind of exposure,” he says.

For the latest news and updates on ISIS, visit the web site: http://www.wisc.edu/isis.

Now Niendorf and other top computing officials are in the spotlight again with ISIS, the computerized records system that is moving down the track as campus officials shift from implementing the system to further stabilizing it.

“The key to a successful project is to get good people to work on it and keep obstacles out of their way,” says project manager Niendorf. “I hope I’ve done that.”

Many people agree that he has, amid the challenges raised by ISIS – challenges considered typical when implementing a massive new computer system.

ISIS, short for Integrated Student Information System, is utilized campuswide, from academic departments to units such as Admissions, Student Financial Services and the Registrar’s Office. Students use ISIS as well, when registering for classes, adding or dropping classes, or updating personal information.

Despite concerns raised by some employees about the new system, Niendorf says the project has gone well. UW–Madison hasn’t suffered the major delays and shutdowns experienced by other universities implementing the system and its PeopleSoft software.

Niendorf praises other project staff members who have worked countless nights and weekends over the past three years to bring the system online. He also praises the efforts and patience of departmental employees who are using the new system.

“If you can’t admit students, produce a Timetable, register students, produce transcripts, assess fees and distribute financial aid, you can’t last as an institution,” Niendorf says. “Our priority was to replace those mission-critical functions, and as much of the other functionality as possible, and we couldn’t afford to fail.”

Niendorf took over as ISIS project manager in July 1998 when Registrar Don Wermers retired. Niendorf had been working as the associate project manager in charge of leading the implementation teams.

In fact, planning for the new system began shortly after the touchtone registration project was done.

“It was no surprise in 1990 that Y2K was coming,” Niendorf says. “So we formed a group and began planning for how to deal with it.”

The Division of Information Technology actually began converting part of the 30-year-old Integrated Student Data System in 1995, when PeopleSoft started advertising its software. UW–Madison officials invited PeopleSoft representatives to campus for a presentation, immediately thought the new software had potential and eventually purchased the system.

PeopleSoft now touts UW–Madison as the shining star in its galaxy. Yet Niendorf says he knew the transition would be challenging, and that some staff would struggle with the changes. But when ISIS is running smoothly, he predicts, employees and students will recognize the potential of the new system.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that the PeopleSoft system will take us far beyond what that old system could ever do,” he says.