UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES (UCLA)

E-business On Education Study Case

Background
UCLA has used elements of electronic commerce for many years, starting with EDI for invoices and then EFTPOS In the mid-1990s the Chancellor decreed that UCLA would develop integrated, web-based systems In the late 1990s, student web sites were developed and students were able to pay online using credit cards UCLA adopted a strategy in 1998 to invest USA $7m to web-enable the major transactional legacy systems including the financial and Walker purchasing systems A key feature of UCLAs development of web facilities in the eProcurement area is the use of real time transactions
UCLAs New Business Architecture Technology Strategy is committed to reducing or eliminating all paper-based processes establishing eBusiness solutions; adopting industry technology and standards for web applications and ensuring adequate authentication and security by the end of 2002

UCLA eBusiness systems

Virtual Student Services

EProcurement

Virtual Human Resource Management

Virtual Organisational Performance and Reporting Management

Business Portal

Student Portal URSA

The student self-service web application for delivering virtual student services

based on the principle of self-service

enables the student, using an encrypted Personal Identification Number (PIN)

change biographical details request a particular time for a class and enter a name on a wait list for a particular class and access results Students can make payments online using credit cards for tuition, parking, dining, and housing a campus debit card, Bruincard, enables students to make payments to various food venues on campus, the bookstore, the medical centre and to make purchases from local merchants, using an account set up with and maintained by the university.

www.ursa.ucla.edu

Student Web Portal MyUCLA

allows applicants, students and alumni to access University calendars and past examinations and reading lists, view staff contact lists and hosts web sites for every course, including syllabus, reading lists, discussion boards, and other instructional

eProcurement BruinBuy

In June 2001 an eProcurement system, BruinBuy, which has been in planning mode for some time, was launched, enabling the current 2,500 authorised staff throughout UCLA to purchase goods online.

The university built the eProcurement system in collaboration with Commerce One and the developer of their purchasing/AP system, Walker.

A feature of UCLAs eProcurement system is that it is real-time, that is transactions occur instantly, not overnight.

eProcurement BruinBuy

Business drivers
The provision of a web-based student portal, offering a range of services, is driven by a desire to eliminate queues for students and to provide services online, in many cases, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The development of an eProcurement system is being driven by a number of factors, including the desire to save money on transactions.

eProcurement at UCLA eventually will lead to more streamlined relationships with vendors and improved invoicing procedures

Electronic processing will increase the speed of procurement, greatly improve efficiencies and eliminate errors

Another driver of the eBusiness strategies is the desire to extend the life of the legacy systems such as the general ledger and accounts payable.

Benefits

in 1994-95, that the savings could eventually be in the order of USA$10m per annum. UCLA currently estimates the savings at USA$6m, before the implementation of the eProcurement system.

Challenges and responses

A major challenge faced by the University is the privacy and security of student electronic information.

A second major challenge for UCLA in moving to eBusiness is coping with the viability of business partners.

A third challenge that arises with eProcurement is that not many vendors currently have electronic catalogues.

A fourth challenge is that the field of eBusiness is moving so rapidly according to Susan Abeles.

Business portal
Processes & Policies

People

Organitational Performance and Controls

Enable Tecnology

Business Portal

Finansial Systems and Reporting