Reaching business intelligence goals with Argos

When Tri-C first began to expand its analytics practices in 2005, it worked with a software package used in many fields, including business and higher education. But the implementation never expanded college-wide. After a year and a half, the college realized it had underestimated the costs of using the software on a large scale, and that expanding would be cost-prohibitive. End users also didn’t have the SQL writing skills needed to expand its use.

In 2007, Tri-C began developing a homegrown analytics system, which made more report data available, but at a cost to staff time and IT resources. During peak times like enrollment, users had to limit their use during certain hours of the day.

In 2011, Tri-C added two analytics databases for current and historical information to its Banner by Ellucian offering: Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) and Operational Data Store (ODS). They could expand Tri-C’s reporting capabilities, but the college needed a new reporting solution that could handle its needs.

Tri-C also wanted an enterprise license rather than one paid per user, as the college was planning to give access to hundreds of users. Argos, which allows unlimited users, presented the most affordable and accessible solution.

The Argos implementation in August 2011 took just a week. Report writers then looked to the Evisions CO-OP for help and inspiration: baseline reports and downloadable examples meant reports could be put into the hands of users very quickly. One report developer downloaded a complete dashboard from the CO-OP and modified it for use in less than a week.

Users no longer have any restrictions on when they can access Banner or Argos during peak times. Everyone can go about their daily routines as needed.

Tri-C created an all-college dashboard that gives any user a “state of the union” of how the college is doing at a given time, or year over year. It shows how every department and unit, from financial aid to facilities, is contributing to student success, with metrics such as crime incidents reported, help desk satisfaction, social media followers, textbook costs, enrollment, revenue, and more.

Now, every user better understands his or her role in contributing to student success at Tri-C. As the college increases its use of business intelligence in strategic planning, Argos is the solution that will guide Tri-C into the future.