Evaluating Software as a Service
QuestaWeb, Inc.
By Wayne Slossberg

Software as a Service (SaaS) brings value to the technology marketplace. For certain companies under certain conditions, it is the optimal solution. However, SaaS is not right for every firm. There are downsides to selecting SaaS that, if not recognized upfront, can cause problems later.
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Learning Management Systems: Buy, Build, or Both?
Augusoft Journal of Lifelong Learning
By Cem Erdem

In “Learning Management Systems: Buy, Build, or Both?” Cem Erdem
compares two approaches lifelong learning programs use to obtain
management software: building and buying. Erdem reveals the advantages and disadvantages of both, adding that both approaches are difficult, as each entails a set of sacrifices. However, Erdem believes that recent developments in technology will allow learning programs to fully reap the advantages of each approach.
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Why choose a Web-based Management System?
Augusoft Journal of Lifelong Learning
By Cem Erdem

Let’s run a mundane errand – let’s pick up a quart of milk. We get into the car and turn the key. The online mapping system appears on the dashboard. As we are guided by satellite to the grocery store, we listen to the radio – a story beamed live from Athens, Greece comes on. We park the car, walk into the store, pick up the milk, and pay for it. The information from our purchase is sent to India for processing. In 15 minutes we have traveled around the world for our quart of milk.
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Does Your Software Drive Your Learning Program?
Augusoft Journal of Lifelong Learning
By Greg Marsello

In his article “Does Your LMS Drive Your Learning Program?” Greg Marsello gives his thoughts on how lifelong learning programs can harness their business management system to free up staff time. The author states that valuable staff time is taken up by inefficient buy necessary tasks such as promotional mailings, and class communication. Marsello believes that webbased management systems are the best way to find “hidden” efficiencies by automating these communication and data gathering tasks. The author concludes that choosing a web-based business management system results in lifelong learning staff time being freed up for more important tasks.
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Why do colleges do green IT?
The Chronicle
August 27, 2008

ACUTA, the Association for Information Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education, has released a survey of green attitudes in IT. Granted, the number of respondents to
the survey was around 80, so this may not be a statistically robust tally of green attitudes in college IT departments, but it may give some hint at what gets valued, and what doesn’t.
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Are you Ready? - PCI Data Security Standards
Augusoft e-news - Volumen 3, Issue 4
By Okan Guney, IT Manager, Augusoft, Inc.

As Internet and online shopping become more common, credit card companies and banks are enforcing stricter security policies. For your protection, Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) were established as a protocol for all online merchants. If you have an online storefront and you are accepting online payments, you are responsible for the security and compliance issues.

Payment Card Industry has been slowly pushing banks and other vendors to adapt to PCI compliance requirements. PCI compliance will become a mandatory merchant obligation by years end. High penalties will result for merchants who do not comply with these standards.

A recent article featured in the September/October 2007 issue of Educause Review entitled "Give US Credit: Evolving Security Standards for Credit Card Information" written by Kathleen Kimball and Jane Drews provides great background about PCI requirements and a summary of how PCI-DSS will affect colleges and universities.
[Click Here] to view this article.

Augusoft's partnership with USAePay brings additional security and PCI benefits to our clients. To learn more about PCI Compliance visit  www.pcisecuritystandards.org.

Survey of Interest in E-Learning Shows Potential for Significant Growth in Online Education
The Chronicle
By Dan Carnevale

The online-education market has the potential to grow significantly, with about half of potential college students interested in earning a degree online, according to a survey conducted by Eduventures Inc.
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The Importance of Strategic Alliances in Building Online Systems
Augusoft Journal of Lifelong Learning
By Aaron Donsky

When thinking about both online courses as well as online registration, it is important that you give consideration to moving from a "go it alone strategy" to one where you form a joint venture with other organizations.
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Vendor Selection within the Education Environment: you harvest what you sow
Augusoft Journal of Lifelong Learning
By Rich Rexeisen

Many studies have been published concerning the crucial role that vendors play in contributing to the overall performance of buyers.
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