Campus Cloud Choice hosting provides the most economical hosting solution for medium to large-sized districts while providing the greatest degree of freedom and flexibility in selecting which specific version number of the product to run and when to switch versions. In the case of the unthinkable, Campus Cloud Choice hosting ensures data will always be available regardless of circumstances (e.g., a flood wipes out a district's network infrastructure, etc).
Campus Cloud Choice combines all the connectivity advantages of Cloud Hosting with the functional advantages of Onsite Hosting.
The following are some of the benefits of using Campus Cloud Choice Hosting:
- Full suite of Premium Products available
- Centralized application management
- Individual district database and server(s)
- Updates can be taken at the district’s leisure
- Staging environment included
- Powerful Data Extract Utility is included free of charge
- Remote backups to Infinite Campus data center nightly
Microsoft SQL Reporting Services access is also included in the Campus Cloud Choice hosting model. Districts can use SRS to build custom reports and extracts not yet available within Campus. With SRS, users can push event-driven reports to others and drill into Campus data elements. Created reports can be updated using any standard Microsoft tool. These reports are available to the district via custom outline links in the district’s production site, or to report administrators at their own SRS url.
Available Premium Products
In this hosting solution, the following Premium Products are available:
- Campus Learning
- Data Health Check
- Data Warehouse
- Ed-Fi
- Finance/HR/Payroll
- Data Change Tracker
- Messaging (including Messenger w/Voice, SMS and Remote Dial-In)
- Naiku
- Online Payments
- Online Registration
- Point of Sale/Food Service
Supported Environments
Campus Cloud Choice hosting provides districts with the following environments:
Production Environment
The production environment (also known as the "live" environment) is the web application and database where users do their day to day work. This includes all reports generated by Infinite Campus. Updated weekly, this environment handles all incoming data from the production URL, interfaces with the district’s production database and provides all outgoing data to that URL. This environment links to the Campus Community for easy access to product information and learning material, and provides individualized logins for each district user including teachers, staff and students.
Each login is access-restricted, meaning each Campus user will only see the features of Campus they have been assigned to by their district’s administrator. Districts have the option of authentication user accounts using LDAP or SSO/SAML and the Data Extract Utility is included at no extra charge. Campus Managed Services is available to assist with implementing any additional Premium Products a district may choose.
Sandbox Environment
The sandbox environment is a database that replicates the production environment. When the production environment is updated to a newer version, the Sandbox environment is also updated to the newest version. The sandbox environment provides a place for districts to test Campus changes (such as LDAP implementation) prior to committing them to production. This environment is also the environment customers should use for training purposes. Infinite Campus will refresh this environment with data from the customer’s production environment at the request of the customer.
Some data in the sandbox environment is scrambled or removed and features may be disabled in order to prevent conflicts with the production environment. Messenger features and task scheduler are disabled however, some premium products such as Point of Sale/Food Service are available to test in the sandbox.
Staging Environment
The staging environment is a database and a web application where customers can review new releases prior to updating their production environment. By using a staging environment, users can get first-hand experience on how new functionality now works within Campus as well how the version is behaving with their configuration and set of data. Infinite Campus will refresh this environment with data from the customer’s production environment at the request of the customer.
Determining the Bandwidth Support Needed
To run a speed test of your network and determine the bandwidth support needed, see the Speed Test article for more information.
FAQ
The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Campus Cloud Choice hosting.
Q: Will the districts IP address change?
A: Yes. The district will be provided a new URL prior to the switch to the new hosting model.
Q: How are extracts pulled for use with third-party software?
A: The Data Extract Utility in the Campus Cloud user interface allows the district to produce these extracts. Connect to your database instance using standard SQL Server database tools to perform any additional data extracts you require.
Q: Will the district still be able to have ODBC connections to their database?
A: Yes. This access is provided on a request-only basis, and requires both district staff and superintendent approval before it can be provisioned.
Q: Will the district still have RDP access to the system?
A: No.
Q: Will the district still be able to utilize SSRS?
A: Yes. SSRS is available.
Q: What is the bandwidth into the Infinite Campus data center?
A: There are two redundant 1GB (expandable to 10 Gbs) fiber connections into the Infinite Campus data center.
Q: How much bandwidth is needed at the district for Campus Cloud Choice?
A: Districts should plan for 70 bits/second/student for optimal performance. Infinite Campus Hosting can conduct a speed test from the district to our data center to determine if the district has sufficient bandwidth. Districts can also conduct this test by following the Speed Test instructions located here.
Q: Is Data Warehouse/Tableau still an option with this hosting model?
A: Yes, however the option for the district to provide the Data Warehouse server will no longer be available. Infinite Campus Hosting will provide a virtual Data Warehouse server at a cost calculated based on the size of resources needed per district.
