FOCUS Sytem for Information Access
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TOOL
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FOCUS is a multifaceted program, licensed from Information 
Builders, Inc., that currently is available on most of the 
VAX systems where much of our administrative information 
resides. FOCUS programs can query and report data from 
existing systems, such as SIS, FRS, and HRS. FOCUS also 
allows one to define and maintain stand-alone databases 
which can supplement data in existing systems.

IMPORTANT FEATURES OF TOOL
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FOCUS has a Query/Reporting language which can combine data 
from numerous sources and produce reports, extract 
databases, or download files which can be moved to a PC or 
Macintosh and imported into other application programs. 
FOCUS also has a data maintenance module, a simple graphing 
capability, and a number of standard statistical analysis 
routines.

WHO WOULD USE THIS TOOL?
------------------------

FOCUS is a relatively simple programming language, but does 
require some training, which is offered periodically through 
GateWay Community College (contact Pinny Sheoran, 392-5095). 
Typical users are information specialists, college 
programmers, administrators with some basic programming 
background, and faculty members. A bi-monthly meeting of 
FOCUS users also offers training and help.

HOW DOES THE TOOL SUPPORT EFFECTIVEAND LEARNING?
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FOCUS allows people familiar with college information needs 
to access and  organize information needed to make informed 
decisions, provide feedback to 
faculty and students, and improve services.

CONTACT PERSONS
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Your college Admissions and Records director, to secure SIS 
access       
Carol Clocksin, DIST/ITS               731-8843
Jason Pociask, DIST/ITS                731-8835