Web Based Application & Workflow Consultation

What are web applications?

A web application is any software accessed by a web browser via the Internet or a World Wide Web to perform a specific action, calculation or function.

Examples of web applications are:

• One or more web forms that gather and store data in a database, and enable communication and reporting
• A web page that displays data contained in a database
• A form routing and workflow system like the IRA Application
• A web browser-based calculator like the GPA Calculator
• The CI Events Calendar
• The Campus Directory

How long will it take to develop a web application?

It depends. Development time will vary based on several factors, including:

• the scope of your web application and its specifications

• the complexity of the application, including how many and what other applications it might integrate with (e.g., integration with PeopleSoft)

• the resources and time available to complete your project (e.g., how much staff time is available from Web Services and from other project partners)

• the extent to which the application specifications change during the course of the project ("scope creep")

Due to the scarcity of existing development resources, we recommend 6 months of lead time from project request to required deadline as a guideline. It is very unlikely that Web Services can complete any web application project request without a minimum 6 weeks of lead time, although rare exceptions and special circumstances may exist.

Getting Started

To request a new web application:

1. Submit an IT project request; include a brief summary what you would like the system to do. 

2. A member of the Information Technology Services (ITS) leadership team will be contact you within 5 business days to obtain project information in more detail.

3. Depending on the scope of your request, you may be required to contact your Division Project Coordinator for approval of the request.

4. Once your request is reviewed and approved by Web Services and ITS leadership, it will be prioritized and added to the ongoing list of active Web Services projects.

Data Requirements

Web application developers must ensure that confidential or sensitive data which is gathered, used or stored is compliant with FERPA and all federal, state and local privacy laws, and is handled in a secure manner as defined by applicable laws and policies. Please review IT Policies and Procedures, and contact Web Services with questions about other data requirements for web applications.

Supported Databases

Web Services supports web applications which interface to the following databases:

• Oracle
• Microsoft SQL Server
• MySQL

Supported Programming Languages

Web Services supports web applications written in the following languages:

• ASP.NET
• C#
• JavaScript
• PHP