Some of these databases, software packages, and applications have been purchased while others were developed in-house. Each of these information resources adds an intrinsic value to the organization. Integrating these information resources and making them work together as elements of an overall business process can create additional value. The pressure on the Information Technology Department to provide new and expanded services has fueled the requirement to leverage these existing information resources. The purpose of the Directory Services Application is to serve as the hub for integrating VCCS information resources while providing students, faculty and staff a common interface for accessing and administering VCCS applications and services.
Most organizations understand the value of integrating information resources.
However, few understand the full complexity of such an effort. Many have relied heavily on internal IT staff while others have acquired the services of a professional system integrator. The VCCS has elected to use a third alternative, Middleware. Instead of committing a large number of dollars to hire consultants or hire additional staff, the companies are purchasing software to ease the complexity of information resources integration. The VCCS has determined that message broker software can do work flow, data transformation, routing, messaging, etc.