Web Services continues to enhance in-house calendar system.

In January 2004, Web Services delivered a complex system named Bookings & Information, Next Generation, or BING for short. BING is the University's calendaring and resource management system, allowing users to view campus events, book rooms and facilities, even reserve equipment. Since January, BING has been used by a wide variety of Drury people and has been considered a resounding success.

Web Services is committed to maintaining this positive user experience by continually enhancing BING's interface and functionality. Through a simple feedback mechanism, users can tell the developers exactly what they need from the system, and Web Services can respond accordingly.

Periodically, the developers will gather together all the larger enhancement requests into a version release and then "freeze" the system. During this process, the system continues to operate normally, but behind the scenes, Web developers are coding the enhancements. Once they are all done, the new system is testing thoroughly, then released. This means that the current system is replaced with the new, improved version and Drury people can take advantage of the new functionality.

The next version release of BING will be called 2.0 (two point oh). Amongst the enhancements are a new, clearer public view interface, and a role switcher, where the user will not have to logout in order to change roles.

BING 2.0 will be released in August/September 2004.

Related Links:
Bookings & Information: Next Generation