University of South Africa Case Study

Case study – Academic Offering Information System at UNISA 

• Requirements (marketing materials and academic offering information) 
  • Improve content quality and accuracy 
  • Improve authoring efficiency 
  • Reduce costs 
  • Improve customer service 
• Solution 
  • Single source content management system (browser & MS Word based) 
  • Data import from legacy student system 
  • User management & workflow 
  • Component based edition assembly (from web & print) 
  • Content personalisation & distribution (E-Brochure, XHTML, PDF) 
• Results (2007) 
  • 60 000 personalised brochures distributed 
  • 10 million pages and 900 000+ sessions 
  • Print run reduction target of 90% 
  • Web and print publications generated from same source (no additional web team required for update). Web content available before year end. 
  • Accuracy improved through student system imports 
  • Access for students to personalised, searchable content through multiple channels 
• Further developments and activities 
  • Additional publications (including Short-Learning Programmes and Curricula) added 
  • Functionality of interfaces and systems extended in 2007 and 2008 
  • Pilot of forms-based workflow system for managing qualification approval process according to HEQF guidelines 
  • Training in management and extension of systems of UNISA personnel