Prof. Simon K.S. Cheung
Hong Kong Metropolitan University, China
Title: Technical Considerations for Cloud Deployment of ERP-based Student Administration Systems
Abstract:
Todays, student administration systems are mostly enterprise resource planning (ERP) based systems with customizations to cater for specific functional needs of individual institutions. Whereas it is widely accepted that cloud deployment of ERP systems can achieve an optimal cost-performance balance, the implementation is subject to many factors such as usage pattern, level of customizations, and information security, as different deployment models have different benefits and limitations. This presentation discusses the technical considerations for hybrid cloud deployment of ERP-based student administration systems, based on a successful case study, where a large volume of concurrent accesses and transactions need to be handled at seasonal peaks. The system adopts a typical 3-tier architecture, comprising a web tier, an application tier and a database tier. Taking a hybrid cloud approach, the web tier and application tier are deployed on cloud with the back-end databases resided on premises. This essentially offers the greatest flexibility for customizations to accommodate specific functional needs, while attaining an acceptable level of resilience and information security control. Different technical settings are discussed to illustrate how an optimal cost-performance balance can be derived.
Biography:
Currently the Chief Information Officer in Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Dr. Simon K.S. Cheung has been working in the higher education sector for over 30 years in various administrative capacities, mainly in IT and educational technology, while also undertaking academic duties such as teaching, research, course development, and programme accreditation. He received his BSc and PhD in Computer Science, and Master of Public Administration from City University of Hong Kong and University of Hong Kong respectively. Dr. Cheung had been admitted as IET fellow, IMA fellow, BCS fellow, HKIE fellow, HKCS fellow, and IEEE senior member. He is active in research, with over 200 publications in two distinct areas, namely, software and systems engineering, and innovation and technology in education. Among other consultancy roles, he serves in the advisory board and editorial board for reputable international journals in these areas, such as ETHE (SSCI, Q1), AJET (SSCI, Q1) and SN Computer Science (Scopus). Awards in recognition of his achievements include the Outstanding Research Publication Award from Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Outstanding CIO Award from Hong Kong IT Joint Council, and Honour for Excellence, CIO Award from the CIO Asia.