In 2005, the University conducted an evaluation of scheduling product options available to the postsecondary market. A number of products were considered, including TPHi - Infosilem and CollegeNet’s Schedule 25. The evaluation was based on the expanded and more complex needs of the University as regards class scheduling and space allocation. Schedule 25 is a system with which McGill has had experience for assigning classrooms and its functionality was determined to be insufficient for the University’s more comprehensive scheduling needs. Infosilem was being used at McGill for examination scheduling purposes at the time and had worked quite successfully. In addition, the class scheduling product included features that would support scheduling at a highly complex institution such as McGill.
The chosen product, TPHi - Infosilem, was purchased in Fall 2005 and work to begin the implementation began in 2006.
Infosilem's well-regarded scheduling software is used at many Canadian and some American postsecondary institutions. It has a proven track record of success. The vendor is based in Quebec and has provided regular and effective support throughout the project.
What is the difference between the TPHi software and current system?
- Presently, departments do their own scheduling for each course section on Banner
- In ES, we find rooms for the course sections based on the times provided, room characteristics and building requests
- The new software will allow us to find both times and rooms for the sections based on the Course and Instructor Constraint data