Client Success Story - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee focuses on approaches to education that are comprehensive and multidisciplinary, and marked by exceptional research and outstanding teaching. The university offers 148 different degree programs serving 25,000 students. UWM is located in one of Milwaukee's most attractive residential areas, just five blocks from Lake Michigan. The campus neighborhood is home to several faculty and staff, and approximately 6,000 students.
UWM's Switch to CBORD
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is currently in the process of converting to CBORD's Odyssey PCS™ and Odyssey HMS™. "Our equipment was reaching the end of its useful life, and we wanted to build for the future," stated Bud Makowski, Director of Management Services. "We wanted integration between our Declining Balance System and our Housing System. Our old system didn't have that capability, so we wanted to see what else was out there."
CBORD met all of UWM's mandatory requirements specified for their new system. UWM was looking for their new CBORD system not only to integrate declining balance and housing systems but also to have web functionality.
Building for the future, UWM decided this would be the perfect time to achieve three goals:
- integrate the points system with the housing system to eliminate the duplication of information and additional transactions;
- use the automated assignments to reduce the amount of time required in room assignments;
- control dining managers' daily sales information via email, reducing the amount of time spent on paperwork.
The Micros® and Odyssey systems allow Bud to print the reports he needs — when he needs them — and then automatically email the information to the managers.
The conversion to CBORD systems has required UWM to know the technical aspects of their campus business inside and out, and to have a clear idea what they want from the installation process. "The more detailed, the better. You need to know all of your business processes, and you have to be prepared to make procedural changes to get what you need from the new system," stated Makowski.
CBORD Configuration
Currently UWM is using the Odyssey HMS system for the 2800 beds in their 3 high-rise towers and 1 apartment building. They are using the Odyssey PCS card system for declining balance in their dining services' 14 venues, the Union recreation center, outing center, crafts center, laundry, vending, and at the bookstore.
CBORD is a registered trademark, and Odyssey PCS and Odyssey HMS are trademarks, of the CBORD Group, Inc. Micros is a registered trademark of Micros Systems, Inc.
