Last modified 01/06/2004

Messiah College Computing Services

Gregory Daub

I work at Messiah College as an Administrative Application Programmer/Analyst for Information Technology Services. I have worked at this job since I graduated from the college in 1988. I work mainly with the administrative HP3000 and the ID Card system HP9000 mainframe computers, although client/server applications are becoming a larger part of our computing environment.

Areas of Responsibility

TASC

Hobbies/Interests

Areas of Responsibility

Accounting software
User support, security, upgrades, and a small amount of custom programming

Our Business Office uses the IFAS software from BI-TECH Software, Inc. There are modules of the software to cover many aspects of running the business side of a college, and we use most of the ones available:

  • AP - Accounts Payable
  • AR - Accounts Receivable
  • CK - Check Management
  • EN - Encumberances
  • FA - Fixed Assets
  • GL - General Ledger
  • HR - Human Resources
  • NU - NUCLEUS Security
  • PE - Person/Entity
  • PO - Purchasing
  • PY - Payroll
  • RX - Ad Hoc Report Writer
IFAS also interfaces with IRIS, our student records software from Software Research Northwest, Inc. There are modules of the software to track many kinds of college records, and we use most of the ones available:
  • AFF - Student Affairs
  • AID - Financial Aid
  • BOX - Central Mailing Module
  • HHE - Harvest (Alumni and Gifts)
  • RIM - Registrar Information
  • SAM - Student Admissions

Custom reports
Designing and programming add-on reports for our accounting software and our student records software

While we try to stick with the standard reports that are part of our software packages, there are always reporting needs above and beyond what is provided. Our custom reports are written in Quiz, the 4GL reporting language that is part of the PowerHouse suite of software from Cognos Incorporated.

Custom applications
Designing and programming complete applications for computing needs not covered by our accounting software or our student records software

We write our own software for our needs that extend beyond what is provided by our purchased packages.

  • Accounts Receivable add-ons
  • Admissions add-ons
  • Bookstore textbook requisitions
  • Chapel attendance tracking
  • College Development add-ons
  • College Fleet usage and billing
  • Community Relations job tracking
  • Computing Services computer inventory
  • Computing Services lab printer billing
  • Conference Services facility scheduling interface
  • Dining Services invoices and event tracking and billing
  • Education Department field experiences and applications for certification
  • Faculty Development awards
  • Faculty Services job tracking
  • Financial Aid add-ons and work study tracking
  • Grade Book Manager student rosters
  • HPER Department student information
  • ID Office ID card printing
  • Institutional Summary Data
  • Key Control issuance tracking
  • Library patron lists
  • Maintenance Department work order billing
  • Monthly Payment Plan billing
  • Payroll add-ons
  • Public Safety vehicle registrations and fines billing
  • Purchasing/Central Receiving add-ons
  • Purchasing Cards billing
  • Registrar's Office add-ons
  • Reprographic Services job tracking and billing
  • Student Life add-ons and dorm access
  • Word Processing job tracking
Our custom applications are written in Insight, a 4GL application package. The vendor no longer supports it, and it is now a dead product. We are planning to re-write these applications using Axiant, a client/server development package from Cognos Incorporated.

ID Card system
User support

Messiah uses the Optim9000 software from AT&T CampusWide Access Solutions. We have expanded our use of the system almost every year and now we use most of the functions that are available:

  • Dining Room student meals
  • Point-of-Sale for the Snack Shop, Bookstore, Convenience Store, and Coffee Shop
  • Vending machines
  • Activity attendance
  • Photocopying and microfiche machines
  • Dorm/Facility access
  • Laundry

Interfaces between applications and platforms
Designing and programming interfaces to and from our accounting software, student records software, ID card system, custom applications, and any other miscellaneous software that needs to interface with mainframe applications or databases

HP3000 user account administration
User authorization maintenance and security concerns

TASC

I am a volunteer for The Administrator and Staff Committee (TASC), where I currently serve as the Secretary. TASC is an employee group that provides a forum for the discussion of various workplace issues. The TASC webpages are accessible only from on-campus.

Hobbies/ Interests

Armoring

The Lord of the Rings Tradeable Miniatures Game

Society for Creative Anachronism

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Send any comments or questions about these pages to gdaub@messiah.edu