Send an e-mail to help@sun.ac.za requesting a new software solution.

A development section staff member will respond to the request within 72 hours.

Software solutions can include custom information systems, mobile apps, extensions to existing information systems, web-based applications (not website design), integration of systems with institutional information services and other central information systems, etc

Purpose
To provide a single service point where academic departments, units, administrative and support divisions can request the development or sourcing of a software solution to a university problem, and where feasible, to deliver the solution.

Scope
Software solutions can include custom information systems, mobile apps, extensions to existing information systems, web-based applications (not website design), integration of systems with institutional information services and other central information systems, etc.

Examples: a mobile app to engage with prospective students; an institutional postgraduate study management system; an institutional research experts directory; a student relationship management system, a map-driven database of community interaction projects, etc.

Development versus Outsourcing
Various factors will determine whether we develop the solution in-house or outsource development to a commercial software vendor. In either case, we will manage and coordinate the development project on your behalf.
Specific services related to outsourcing of development
We assist with preparing documentation for the tender process, assist with tender adjudication, act as technical project manager and liaise with the software vendor, ensure that development and service contracts are in place, manage release cycles, assist with testing, and ensure that source code is deposited in SU code repositories for sustainability purposes.

The Development Cycle (divide into stages of the cycle)
We can provide or elicit any or all of the following services for a given development project: feasibility and business case development, requirements analysis and specifications, process optimisation, system and information architecting, solution design, development and testing of code, code maintenance, advice.

1. The IT Division will facilitate a needs analysis and development of a business case to determine whether the need contributes to the University’s Institutional Intent and Strategy. The ICT in Learning and Teaching and ICT in Research Committees will guide and support the analysis. Should the IT Division not have the in-house capacity to conduct the analysis, the client division/department will have to finance the analysis phase.
2. Should the outcome of the analysis phase show that the solution will contribute substantively to University strategy, the IT DIvision will execute the project with in-house resources. However, if sufficient in-house resources are not available, the IT Division will facilitate and broker outsourced development, where the cost will be for the client division/department’s account.

General IT Service costs​