The UMS Story

Prof. Gopal Krishna Nayak

Prologue

The University Management System has a long history. When I joined Xavier Institute of Institute Management Bhubaneswar (XIMB) in 1988, the previous avatar of XIM University, there were two desktop computers in the whole Institute. In 1992, we build a LAN in the computer center with Novel Netware. It was a exciting technological advancement. I visited Antwerp University in 1995 and stole the idea of email using Pegasus Mail. The same was implemented in XIMB. On infrastructure front we were taking baby steps to be a better Institute. In 1997, we were the only second Institute to get Internet. Very few Institutes in the country had Internet at that time.

Chapter - 1 Fr. P. T. Joseph meets Mr. Nanda

Fr. P. T. Joseph had just completed his Ph. D. in the US and returned to India. On a flight he met Mr. Nanda who was the Head of Oracle India. Mr. Nanda Sold him the idea of buying Oracle Database for about INR 1.5 Lakhs. Fr. PT discussed with me and decided to buy. However, Oracle was charging another 50 K for installation. We decided to buy the manuals for Oracle and do a self installation.

We received the oracle database in the for a hundred CDs. There were two sets of the CDs: one for the Novel Netware Server and one for the clients. After going through the Installation manuals, I installed the server CDs. It worked. Great!!

Then, I installed the client software. It would not work.

I went through Oracle manuals - about a dozen volumes. Tried all kin

Chapter - 2 Birth of LIS - Library Information System

Chapter - 3 Super Cyclone and Need for On-line Feedback

Chapter - 4 AIS is Born

Chapter - 5 Hibiscus Blooms

Chapter - 6 Aging Hibiscus and a Burgeoning University

Chapter - 7 UMS takes Shape

Epilogue

Cast and Credits