ITS Mobile pilot test at TUT a success

30 Jan 2013

ITS' new mobile applications now enables students at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) to access academic and financial information on their mobile devices. The applications were released to a pilot group of students mid-December 2012, and proved to be successful.

ITS Mobile provides students with access to their university data from a variety of mobile platforms, including tablets, smartphones and other cellphones. ITS Mobile gives 24x7 on demand access to available academic, financial and residential information to students, including exam timetable information, exam results, registration information, admission status, financial statements and financial aid information.

TUT agreed to be the pilot site for the testing of the new software. The system was launched at the university to a pilot group of students before the end of the 2012 academic year, enabling them to make use of the service to access their exam results and other information.

Thoroughly tested by a team of seven TUT staff members

"The application was thoroughly tested by a team of seven TUT staff members from the enrolment and residence department, assessment management department, student debtors department and financial aid department who will be making use of the system extensively," said TUT's Jeanette Moloya. "These divisions are all happy that the system is now ready to go live to the wider student community.

"Most students have access to these technologies and ITS Mobile makes use of mediums of communication that will appeal to students. It is also much faster than the postal system making it an efficient and reliable way for students to access their information.

"We are looking forward to a successful university-wide launch and experiencing the benefits of the application as time goes on," said Moloya. TUT was the pilot test site and will be the first institution to go live on the application in South Africa.

"ITS has partnered two well-known companies with specific expertise in the area of mobile applications in order to bring this offering to market quickly," said ITS's MD, Derick Jordaan. CampusEAI Consortium has developed the ITS Mobile apps that smartphone and tablet users, including Android, Apple and Blackberry users, will be able to download in order to access their student data remotely. CampusEAI has developed similar applications for the tertiary sector internationally. Listed company FoneWorx is supplying the mobi technology enabling non-smartphone users access to their student data.

Fits well with BYOD

ITS Mobile fits well with TUT's BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) strategy whereby both students and staff are encouraged to use their own mobile devices to conduct research, online learning, access information and browse the Internet through using TUT's ICT infrastructure such as Wi-Fi access across the university's network and through broadband access provided by the university. This will significantly contribute to the success of TUT in meeting its corporate strategic objectives.

"We are very excited to be part of this project. It aims to really make life easier for all our students. With this technological application we hope to reduce and finally eliminate the long queues for enquiries at the university," concluded deputy vice-chancellor Isaac Tlhabadira.

ITS Mobile will also be available to clients not currently using the ITS Integrator Student Management System to enable them to benefit from this innovative new service.

Additional information on ITS Mobile is available on www.itsmobile.co.za or from az.oc.sti@gnitekram.