17/01-11   -   Press releases

London South Bank University brings clarity to reporting cards and performance management through IBM Business Analytics

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that IBM’s business analytics software has been implemented at London South Bank University (LSBU) to help monitor the progress of students and analyse course performance.

YouTube - London South Bank University - IBM Business Analytics :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0Rk-oD4FOU&feature=player_embedded

The software allows LSBU staff to securely access student attendance and course performance in one central database. The data is consolidated from each faculty into easy-to-read reports.

The implementation of the IBM software not only saves the staff time and money but equips them with the tools and insight to better identify students who may need additional assistance in their course. As Mike Cobham, Corporate Information Systems Manager, at LSBU says “It’s more important than ever that our management team has the information they need from all departments to make the best decisions for the University and its students."

The analytics software gathers data via card readers in the back of classrooms allowing students to swipe through with their student ID card to easily register for lectures. The information is logged into the database for the faculty staff and used to help identify individual student course attendance over any given week. The analysis also extends to the virtual environment with monitoring in place for the number of times a student logs into the university’s VLE (virtual learning environment) in a given month.

The success of the system has led to LSBU now planning to extend it to their HR and Finance departments.

Steve Dunnigan, Business Analytics Business Unit Executive, IBM UK and Ireland said: “Today’s announcement is part of IBM’s ongoing focus on helping clients use their information as a strategic asset through the optimisation of IBM Business Analytics software."

IBM has invested more than $14 billion in acquisitions to build an analytics portfolio which includes more than 24 acquisitions. In addition, IBM has assembled 8,000 analytics consultants with industry expertise, and opened a network of seven analytics centres of excellence.

IBM Business Analytics is powered by IBM Cognos 8 Business Intelligence.

For more information about IBM, visit: www.ibm.com/software/uk/data/cognos/
For more information about London South Bank University, visit: http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/