ICASL IT Roadmap takes off !

The ICASL was not Computerrised until 1987.Howevere; student tanning in Computing in computer literacy was started in the same year.

Following of student training on computer literacy in 1987, ICASL initiated its IT applications in 1989 with Nixdorf server and two PCs. The financial activities were handled through the “Comet” software package. Functions to be computerized initially were General ledger, Student Registrations, Practical Training, Member relations, Examinations and other accounting functions.

In 1995, the PC sever-based system was introduced in a clipper/DBF environment, and subsequently some of the modules were introduced into VS/MS Access base. The development of the current examination module in Visual Basic 6 is such an example. However these systems are running in decentralised environments.

		In 2005 it was decided to re-engineer the systems / activities along with the IRQUE Project. As the initial step of achieving this goal, the ICASL prepared the IT Roadmap. Accordingly tenders were called to computerise the core activities. After an extensive evolution process ICASL selected E-W Information System Limited (EWIS), along with IDM Software International (IDM), to provide a total solution. The contact
was awarded on 01, Augest 2006.

In 2005 it was decided to re-engineer the systems/activities along with the IRQUE Project. As the initial step of achieving this goal, the ICASL prepared the IT Roadmap. Accordingly tenders were called to computerise the core activities. After an extensive evolution process ICASL selected E-W Information System Limited (EWIS), along with IDM Software International (IDM), to provide a total solution. The contact was awarded on 01, Augest 2006.

The core activities will be developed in VB Net on SQL Server 2005. The financial functions will be covered by Pronto Xi ERP.EWIS/IDM was asked to present a conceptual model to ICASL, and the details study should be ready in early October. The project team is using object oriented analysis and designs to document the proposed solution. The noteworthy addition to the system is conmen modules such as Receipts, Courses, Registration and Corresponding modules. The present pay in voucher (PIV) to be replaced by a Deposit Slip. After the introduction of the new system, the students and members will be identified by a unique ICASL ID numbers.

External users such as OPA-IT Training unit and the Kandy branch will use VPN connection to access the system. After the completion of the second stage of the project, payments such as membership fees will be channeled through the payment gateway via the ICASL website.

With the introduction of the IT Road Map, all users at ICASL will be connected to a Primary Server. Currently they are connected via workgroups.ICASL expects to use its IT resource to maximum utilisation in a centralised environment. Recently ICASL introduce virus scanning software to all current network users.