Share360 | Customers | Case Studies | Asian Institute of Management

Asian Institute of Management

Asian Institute of Management (AIM) leads in the Asian region's socio-economic transformation by offering unique educational opportunities and cross-cultural experiences to citizens from developing and developed economies worldwide. It remains that center of excellence where builders of Asian societies network to shape their progressive common future. Over 24,000 students from 30 Asian countries and 33 nations from other regions have completed graduate studies and executive education programs at the Institute.

AIM offers a unique Asian approach to developing professional managers. Students are continually exposed to relevant situations drawn from the experiences of organizations in Asia through case method learning and hands-on field preparation. Degree and non-degree programs, as well as workshops, seminars and short courses are held throughout the year.

*(Note added by Cybozu) AIM is ranked as one of the Top3 Asia MBA universities. http://www.careerdynamo.com/asia_mba.html )

Client Profile

Who is in charge of Implementation?

Name:	Dennis Allan Ang
Title:	System Development Manager

How did Asian Institute of Management find out about Cybozu?

Given the fluctuating number of registered students through out the year, we were looking for a less costly collaborative application that could handle email and other groupware applications. The main cost of the old system was the charges on excess mailboxes. The Institute was paying for mailboxes that were not being used when there were fewer students. As a proposed solution, your local distributor, Intellimedia Corporation, presented a trial version of Cybozu 4 to us.

Has Asian Institute of Management employed other groupware applications before?

Yes, the old email system also handled groupware applications like bulletin boards, discussion groups, scheduling, etc.

How has Asian Institute of Management been meeting information needs before implementing Cybozu products?

We were using popular collaborative platform that handled bulletin boards, scheduler, email and rapidly developed database applications. Unfortunately, it was too costly to maintain and its heavy computing requirements slowed down the PCs.

2.	Implementation Issues & Reasons to Choose Cybozu

	1	*Were there any problems during the roll out?*
		It was easily installed and configured by our Infrastructure Support and Services group. We just had to roll out the applications so we could also properly test and review for bugs and other errors. Conveniently, there were no errors found.
	2	*Why did you make the final decision to implement Cybozu products?*
		The Institute decided that it would greatly reduce costs associated with the maintenance of our past email system. Maintenance costs was related to yearly upgrading of computers due to upgraded applications that demanded more computing power. Most of all, maintenance costs was related to renewing yearly license costs. Cybozu provided a way to save up on all these costs as well as provide an affordable, easy to use, easy to access anywhere, easy to set up application and easy to maintain system.

3.	System Setup Details

	1	*Which Cybozu office products are implemented?*
		We have purchased the Share360 standard for unlimited users. Currently, we have activated the email feature and the scheduler. We are planning to activate other features like the bulletin board, to do lists, and discussion groups, and Sync for Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) in the future.
	2	*Number of users using Cybozu products?*
		Currently less than one hundred but being an educational institution, the expected number of users will reach five hundred on peak seasons.
	3	*What kind of server machine and network configuration are used to run Cybozu products?*
		Given our current number of users, the system is currently running with other major applications. The server that houses the applications have the following specifications: Compaq Proliant 3000, 512mb memory, Intel 450 dual processor, Netelligent 10/100 mbps, 9.1 gigabtye hotswap.
	4	*Do you have a full-time administrator for Cybozu products?*
		No, the system does not need too much maintenance. It does not need a full time administrator.

4.	End User Response

	1	*Any feedback from actual end users?*
		The students are glad that we finally changed the old email platform. They like the look and feel of the new system as well as the ease of use. It provided students with mobility to access their emails from any computer connected to the internet. Having seen Share360, the faculty is also considering switching to the new system.
	2	*How are the end users using Cybozu products (Share360) everyday?*
		Currently, email is the predominant feature. Once we have setup the Palm Sync for OS, it is envisioned that students who need to send quick emails and need update in information will be synching in Sync Stations strategically placed in the campus.
	3	*Do you offer any training?*
		The system provided an intuitive and easy-to-use interface. This feature provided a 10 to 15 minute walk through in the orientation for some of the new students.

5.	Overall Evaluation of Cybozu products

	1	*What are the strengths & weaknesses of Cybozu products (Share360)?*
		Overall strengths? The over-all strength of Cybozu products is its thin client architecture that provides a low cost, access anywhere, simple to use and customizable interface for collaborative application requirements like email, scheduler and bulletin boards. Overall weaknesses? Over-all weakness is the design of some of the over-lapping features of its different applications and lack of flexibility in system or user administrations.
	2	*Total satisfaction?*
		We are highly satisfied with the product. Apart from the students that will be using this product, we also plan to transition all staff and faculty to this new system. This transition contributes to the Institutes over-all yearly cost savings.