It was the purpose of this study to describe,
analyze and compare data processing centers in three
educational institutions, the Open Learning
Institute(OLI), Douglas College(DC) and Universitas
Terbuka (UT) to provide recommendations for improving
the operation of UT·' s data processing center.
Universitas Terbuka, the Indonesian Open
University, admitted its first student in 1984 and now
carries approximately 130,000 students on its rolls.
Active semester by semester enrolment is approximately
60,000. UT relies heavily on data processing to handle
registration, student records, examination processing
and materials distribution. Evidence derived from
students·' complaints and internal studies strongly
suggests the need for improved data processing
procedures. Thus, this study was conducted to develop
recommendations which could have useful effects on UT's
data processing center and the institution as a whole.
Data were gathered from the three data processing
centers mentioned above. Direct observations were made
and discussions with personnel who were involved in
the three centers were conducted. In each case, areas
which were studied were: organization, personnel,
physical facilities and equipment, applications
software and software development procedures,
relationships with users, and operating procedures.
The data provided descriptions of the three data
processing centers. The results of these descriptions
and the subsequent analyses provided a basis for
comparing the three data processing centers in each of
the six categories mentioned above. Recommendations for
improving the UT data processing center were derived
from these comparisons and analyses.
The major recommendationf.; are related to the
management of the center. Its organization should more
closely reflect its functions and staff members should
be provided with clear and up to date job description.
staff training should be provided. Improved software
development procedures should be established together
with improved documentation. More attention should be
given to user relationships in order to avoid
misunderstanding. Finally, a backup schedule should be established and used consistently.