MSIS Capstone : Hands-on Projects
Rather than sitting in a library cubicle or study room to complete the final step in earning an MS in Information Systems degree, Santa Clara MSIS students go to work in an organization, where they join forces with employees, managers, and directors to develop and implement practical, hands-on solutions to a company's information technology challenges.
About the MSIS Capstone Project
Santa Clara's MSIS capstone project is a two three-unit course sequence that spans two quarters. Students take on a single project over the 20 weeks of the two courses, and are responsible for the entire process, from project requirements to implementation. During the process, students form valuable working relationships with each other, faculty mentors, and leaders in the organization with which they work.
Among successful projects recently completed are:
Implementing a Knowledge Management System at Google
Working with the Finance Information Technology group at Google, Inc., the project team developed a portal and document management system that allowed the Finance IT department to move from storing its information on several different platforms and formats to a one-stop solution. The project team created and implemented a system to collect important information and help Google employees organize, manage, and find information with just a few clicks of a mouse.
Company and Patent Information Mining Methodology at IBM
Intellectual property analysis within a company is extremely difficult to perform if there is no single location for the relevant data. The Santa Clara team developed methodology and criterion to design and implement a single-source system, allowing the company to identify opportunities within new or existing technologies, enhance discoveries, and analyze areas in a company's market where patents have not yet been filed.
Design high level account management system with Pacific Northwest Advisory Services of Ernst and Young
Pacific Northwest Advisory Services, an Ernst and Young company, sought to refine business processes and introduce a level of automation to its account and business planning. Over a six-month period, the capstone team met with company stakeholders, including partners, managers, and an operations team, to learn about the firm's long-term planning processes. the group developed detailed recommendations for process improvement and automation opportunities for the company.
Break Room Green Initiative with Cisco Systems
Previously Cisco's break-room appliances were not shut down after office hours because the system would not permit single outlet re-activation during time when individuals needed to work longer or alternative hours. By using a combination of web-based and embedded systems programming in the existing system, the project team developed a way of reducing energy consumption while supporting Cisco workers whose shifts varied with regular business hours.
Replacing a Customer Relationship Management system at LAM Research
LAM Research's current Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system had reached the end of its lifespan when the Santa Clara MSIS capstone team was called in to consult with managers in the company's sales department. The department had narrowed its options to three vendors but needed to match the competing solutions with their employees' current and future needs. By working with LAM Research leaders and key stakeholders to document business processes and business requirements, then meeting with and reviewing presentations by each vendor's sales personnel and engineers, the capstone group was able to recommend selection of an international vendor as the best fit for the company's sales department now and in the foreseeable future.
Learning Management System Data Migration for American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Working with CPA2Biz, the marketing arm of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the MSIS capstone team developed a software system solution to help the department move its legacy data from an expiring information system to a new platform. The team aimed to streamline ongoing data transfers, secure data integrity and accuracy, as well as create a predictable migration environment. The work was organized into four phases (planning and design, development, testing, and implementation in CPA2Biz' production environment), and final implementation is underway.
