Customer story · Point Loma Nazarene University
Argos makes reporting from multiple sources easy
Point Loma needed one tool to report across PowerFAIDS, JICS, Blackboard, and Jenzabar CX. With Argos, IT builds the DataBlocks and departments run their own reports.
San Diego, California
Private, not-for-profit, 4-year university
Argos
- Reporting, campus wideArgos expanded to users and departments across campus.
- Every reporting need metMultiple-source reporting, custom DataBlocks, and Jenzabar CX integration in one tool.
- Self-sufficient departmentsDepartments get the data they need without drawing on IT time.
Point Loma Nazarene University at a glance
1902
Founded
3,500+
Students
500+
Faculty and staff
50+
Undergraduate programs
8
Graduate programs
01
The challenge
Data in many systems, and no way to report across them
Point Loma Nazarene University (Point Loma) needed a way to report from multiple sources across campus.
Scattered sources
Information lived in PowerFAIDS, JICS, and Blackboard, with no way to report on all at once.
Jenzabar CX at the core
Any solution had to work seamlessly with the ERP used throughout campus.
Easy, yet customizable
The tool had to be simple to use and customizable for every office.
They had information in PowerFAIDS, JICS, and Blackboard, but no way to create reports from all of these sources at once. Point Loma also needed a solution that would work seamlessly with Jenzabar CX, which they use throughout campus. An easy-to-use, customizable tool that could report from multiple systems was the key to Point Loma’s reporting needs.
02
The solution
IT builds the DataBlocks. Departments build the reports.
Point Loma found it easy to switch to Argos from their previous reporting solution, thanks to its pre-built features, intuitive graphical user interface, and excellent support from Evisions.
In just a few months, 4 Power Users created over 35 DataBlocks, which are used to create reports. These users took the free online training sessions Evisions offers to learn DataBlock creation. Point Loma also finds the Evisions CO-OP user community a tremendous help: DataBlocks can be downloaded from other institutions, and ideas are shared about different ways to use Argos.
“We have had many end users take advantage of the no additional charge web-based training and we love the CO-OP for sharing of DataBlocks.”
Bryan Blackwell · Programmer / Analyst
Point Loma’s IT staff greatly appreciate that Argos does not push SQL generation onto end users who do not understand database structures and joining requirements. That work is done only by IT staff and selected end users, which keeps the reported data correct.
An analyst in the IT department creates each DataBlock to fit the needs of Point Loma’s end users, and non-technical users then generate their own reports from it. Each department gets the data it needs quickly, in a readable form, without taking time and resources from IT.
| Before | With Argos |
|---|---|
| No way to report from all sources at once | Reports that combine Jenzabar CX, PowerFAIDS, JICS, and Blackboard data |
| End users facing SQL and database joins | IT-built DataBlocks that non-technical users report from |
| Departments drawing on IT time and resources | Departments reaching the data they need quickly, on their own |
The Enterprise License was another draw. Because there are no increased costs to add more users, Point Loma easily expanded Argos to users and departments campus wide.
“
A tremendous benefit of Argos for us is the ability to report across multiple databases. We are able to do reporting with Jenzabar CX information along with information from PowerFAIDS, JICS and Blackboard.
Ken Evilsizor · Director, Information Systems, Point Loma Nazarene University
03
The results
Every reporting need, answered by one tool
By implementing Argos, Point Loma has the solution to all of its reporting needs: multiple-source reporting, custom DataBlocks for end users, and seamless integration with Jenzabar CX.
Multiple-source reporting
Jenzabar CX data reported alongside PowerFAIDS, JICS, and Blackboard.
35+ DataBlocks in months
Created by 4 Power Users in just a few months.
Data that stays correct
SQL stays with IT and selected users, so reported data is correct.
Campus-wide reach
Institutional Research, Finance, and Public Safety all use Argos.
Point Loma currently uses Argos in a variety of departments, including Institutional Research, Finance, and Public Safety.
“
Evisions has hit the sweet spot of reporting needs with Argos and they have delivered on all of their commitments.
Ken Evilsizor
Director, Information Systems
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What other institutions changed
Nicolet College
A small college's reporting, run by the people who need it
Within a few months the college had a couple of dozen DataBlocks in use. Nightly reports flag data entry issues to the Registrar, and advisors hear daily about students who add or drop.
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Missouri State University
Governed self-service across a public university
Argos rolled out campus-wide in under a year. The university now runs more than 300 production reports and has trained 70 DataBlock designers, 156 report writers, and over 1,000 faculty and staff viewers.
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Imperial Valley College
Reports gathered into one place on the web
Reports and data had been scattered across tools on individual desks. Argos consolidated them into one browser-based location the college can sustain.
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