RSA MIS System and 704 Data Submission

[James Moore]

As of 2009, RSA is pushing the use of its on-line data submission
system:

http://rsamis.ed.gov/info_for_new_users.cfm

http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/rehab/rsamis/rsamis_help_pg2.html

We're beginning to receive inquiries from our users as to whether or
not we plan to create a digital interface to the RSA system. The
short answer is yes; we've contacted RSA and are in the process of
trying to establish ways in which we can send data directly from your
file server to the MIS. We'll update this discussion as soon as we
have more information.

[Caroline Fortin]

Here is the email exchange with RSA sent January 5th, 2010:

"Engineering Data: We're a software company based in Louisville, KY -
We've created a database system (CFAL-NetCIL) that is used by well
over 100 ILCs nationwide - Our system is capable of producing 704
reports in MS Word format. Now that you are encouraging ILCs to
submit their data electronically via your website, we're getting
numerous requests to create an interface between our systems. Would
it be possible to discuss such a capability? We have numerous data
integrity checks built into our system, and if we do it right, we
should be able to create a very "clean" interface that will reduce
problems both for you and for our ILC clients. Please contact me or
James Moore (j...@ed2c.com) at your earliest convenience. You can
reach Jim by telephone at 502-412-4000 x111 or me at the number
above. You can also reach our office toll-free at (888) 678-0683.
Many thanks for your consideration.

RSA: Thank you for contacting us regarding building an automated
interface to input RSA-704 Part II data. We currently do not have
plans to build such an interface, and we have limited staff. However,
it is worth considering, so I cannot rule it out. We cannot of course
work with one particular vendor as that would provide an unfair
commercial advantage to that vendor over competitors. We cannot show
favoritism to a particular vendor or set of vendors. When – if – such
an interface is developed, it will be documented in the HELP file
associated with the MIS, which is available to the public via the
ed.gov website. I suggest checking this site periodically for updated.
The URL is http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/rehab/rsamis/rsamis_help.html

Engineering Data: We'd be willing to write you a proposal for
creation of an intermediate database that could be used for electronic
data transfer – an open interface that anyone could use. Think about
that and let us know…

RSA: No, I can rule that out immediately. Such a database would open
us up to charges of favoritism. When / if standards for importing
data are published on the website you or any vendor may make use of
them."

We will continue to check RSA / MIS website as they suggested.

Caroline Fortin