Technology

• Develop and improve technological interface
• Improve accuracy and access to data
• Leverage technology to inform marketing decisions

Photo: Brad Christensen

We will increase our ability to strategically leverage and utilize technology to advance our mission while preserving wilderness experience and values.

Information Technology is a tool and resource that enables and supports nearly every aspect of NOLS in pursuit of our mission and promotion of our values. To that end, we appropriately apply technology to attract prospective students, to learn about and effectively communicate with all members of our community, and to facilitate excellent performance in all of our staff. We maintain networks and services around the world to keep the NOLS community connected and provide for the security and integrity of the information in our care.

Further Goals and Tactics
1. Reach, engage, and interact with NOLS constituencies using technologies they are familiar with and that fit the purpose.

a. Deploy an Internet portal where those wishing to interact with us on the Internet may, via a single login, request a catalog, apply for any of our public courses or programs, view and update their contact information, chat with an admission or alumni department staff member, manage their email list subscriptions, make a donation, or make a purchase from the online store.

b. Further leverage interactive Internet technologies such as social networking and content sharing and distribution.

2. Improve the consistency and accuracy of our important data and provide all departments with access to the data they require.

a. Build support for current and developing business models in our core database.

b. Consolidate the storage of information about our product, people, and partners into a single authoritative database.

c. Develop a data governance function to define and control the data that should be gathered, the format and manner in which it is entered and stored, and to define and control access to data.

d. Provide an identified set of users with the ability to query the database and generate reports on data germane to their position.

3. Leverage technology to make informed marketing decisions and to track the efficacy of marketing initiatives.

a. Implement ‘Customer Information Management’ functionality to gather, manage, and use pertinent information about our prospects, students, and alumni.

4. Use technology to improve access to business-related information, curricula, and course materials.

a. Expand, update, and maintain the content on Rendezvous.

b. Define and implement a means for students to access course materials to which they are entitled.

c. Develop a process and define responsibility for reaching decisions about the technology we use in the field to access course materials and curricula.

5. Complete disaster recovery and business continuity planning by the end of 2008.