It is based on a commercial toolkit which should be evaluated. The key to a successful development of the HBS approach is organisational, it will require commitment and single mindedness from the top down. The HBS system is not a generic solution but it is an innovative approach that deserves wide consideration and further investigation. System description 1.6 HBS set out, successfully, to develop an integrated, user friendly, interface for relevant applications to both staff and students. Such standards do not offer the rich functionality of some proprietary systems and this can result in considerable end user resistance especially from administrators.
Further work is required.
Although the HBS system uses Internet technology, it is not publicly available. Much of the Intranet work was done by a company known as ATG using their Dynamo tool kit. 1.12 In general the subsequent development of each application is delegated to the relevant department or individual. The computing service supplies tools and documentation to facilitate this process. As with all modular systems of this type great care needs to be exercised in the choice of standards and applications to maintain sufficient flexibility to allow for new standards and software in the future.