JISC infoNet - Key resources for outsource, buy, build or integrate

Key resources for outsource, buy, build or integrate

Key resources for outsource, buy, build or integrate in technology options in MLE design.

http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/Resources/external-resources/bp7.pdf

This paper highlights some of the issues that should be considered before entering into a contract with a software developer for a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), including advice on IMS compliance, invitations to tender and drawing up a contract.

Office of Government Commerce

http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/Resources/external-resources/Office_of_Government_Commerce

Purchasing: the MLE will cost more than the legal minimum for EU procurement rules to kick in, and therefore unless you are developing the system in house you are likely to have to follow those rules. See the Office of Government Commerce site for an introduction.

OSS Watch

http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/Resources/external-resources/OSS_Watch

JISC has funded an Open Source Advisory Service (OSS Watch) which will be providing information and advice on open source systems

Outsourcing Initiatives in Higher Education

http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/Resources/external-resources/Outsourcing_Initiatives_in_Higher_Education

An interesting discussion of outsourcing can be found in Collaboration, Technology, and Outsourcing Initiatives in Higher Education: A Literature Review, Tessa Kaganoff , Rand, 1998, which looks at some examples from education in the US and looks at both the limits and benefits.

Standards and Specifications: Why use IMS?

http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/Resources/external-resources/bp4.pdf

This briefing paper looks at the reasons behind using IMS, the implications surrounding implementation and references where more information can be gained.

Taking TCO to the Classroom

http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/Resources/external-resources/Taking_TCO_to_the_Classroom

In the US a web site Taking TCO to the classroom again looks at schools and in particular deployment issues, but raises some interesting issues.

http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/Resources/external-resources/bp19.pdf

Copyright and IPR are now important parts of modern life. This paper provides a brief overview of copyright and IPR issues for those people involved with publishing learning materials through a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Gartner Outsourcing

http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/Resources/external-resources/Gartner_outsourcing

Gartner consulting have produced an excellent booklet entitled Outsourcing: The Real Deal. This can be ordered free from their website.

JISC Legal Information Service

http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/Resources/external-resources/JISC_Legal_Information_Service

Data Protection and Freedom of Information - at first glance these can be thought of as contradictory, one aiming to protect the privacy of the individual, the other requiring you to publish increasing amounts of information. The JISC funded Legal Information Service offers considerable advise on many legal issues targeted specifically at further and higher education.

The Outsourcing Institute

http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/Resources/external-resources/www_outsourcing_com

The outsourcing suppliers forum, based in the USA provides a general resource on outsourcing

Total Cost of Ownership

http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/Resources/external-resources/becta_Total_Cost_of_Ownership

This literature review identifies over 130 documents that are relevant to the issue of TCO. The review presents the findings from the literature by analysing the various uses of TCO, how to implement and identify actual costs. It discusses what kinds of models there are for use in education and considers what should be included in the monetary costs within a single school. It also captures the implications from the literature with regards to which kinds of TCO analysis to use in schools and LEAs.

Creating an MLE