A Single System Image: An Information Systems Strategy. Professional Paper Series, #1.

Strategic planning for information systems and descriptions of the products needed to purvey an institution's information resources as though they were delivered from a single, integrated system are featured, emphasizing strategy and tactics. Various accepted premises for the current state of higher education information systems are set forth. Part I focuses on an information systems strategy (adopting a strategic view, identifying a strategic course, pluralism, and financing). Part II looks at a single system image in terms of the image; implementing the single system image; and issues for knowledge-based implementation. Part III discusses a new paradigm. It notes the paradigm for campus information systems turns from a mainframe-centered Ptolemaic model to a user-centered Copernican model, thus making it necessary to redefine responsibilities. An important goal is creating a single system image that provides the ubiquity and simplicity associated with the telephone system. This effort will require shifting many current burdens from the user to a knowledge-based network and rationalizing the way the user relates to services provided. (SM)