Technology and Systems Integration

Flexible, scalable and reliable the ANGEL Learning Management Suite integrates seamlessly with your complex enterprise environment to provide secure, leading edge teach and learning experiences.

Flexible

ANGEL’s inherent flexibility enables system configurations to be built to meet the unique needs of any learning enterprise. An ANGEL implementation can be structured so the database and web application run on separate machines. An implementation can be built into a load-balanced, redundant server environment. ANGEL's component-based architecture and scripting framework ensure optimal performance without sacrificing the flexibility institutions require to adapt ANGEL to their specific needs.
ANGEL is based on a multi-tier architecture, with customizations at each level.

• At the core, the ANGEL database is open for you to customize following the best practices ANGEL defines.
• At the application level, open web service APIs, built directly into the ANGEL application, provide access to data and the ability to control the system in ways that set ANGEL apart from other systems.
• ANGEL also provides its Objects and Extensions Framework which can be used to integrate new learning object types and to extend existing functionality with minimal programming.
• The ANGEL Environment Variable Framework allows institutions to set configurations at the System, Domain, Course or User Levels allowing nearly infinite flexibility.

By providing multiple logical tiers, the ANGEL application can be customized in a variety of ways at each of the different levels.

Scalable

ANGEL LMS handles both large and small deployments efficiently and cost effectively. ANGEL has been load balanced for deployment for hundreds of thousands of users and is also cost effective for smaller institutions with limited technology resources.

• Accommodates a large number of users with relatively low hardware requirements.
• Architecture separates major technology layers; implementation can be structured so each component is on a separate server.
• Supports load balanced environments for high-traffic site usage. Architecture allows file storage to be moved to a Storage Area Network (SAN) or to a separate file server.
• For extremely high-loads or high-availability installations, ANGEL supports scalability and redundancy for both the database and the web application via data replication, hardware clustering and load balancing solutions.

Systems and Data Integration

ANGEL realizes that the learning management suite is just one part of the complex network of systems that comprise your learning enterprise technology. ANGEL LMS open, flexible technology is engineered to integrate with all your systems.

ANGEL XEI – SIS Integration

The ANGEL Extended Enterprise Integration (XEI) Framework automates the interchange of data between your Student Information System (SIS) and ANGEL LMS. With XEI, course and user data used in ANGEL, including account data and course enrollment drops and adds, can be updated when changes are made in the SIS by scheduling data transactions.

• Reduce data integration costs and increase reliability and accuracy by eliminating manual steps.
• Reduce operating costs by enabling integration to ANGEL from more than one source database automatically keeping your databases synchronized.
• Reduce maintenance costs and disruption as ANGEL and your other databases change.
• Built on the IMS Enterprise XML standard, enabling integration with all major systems.
• Dedicated services designed to help your integration project succeed.
• Integration services team has performed dozens of integrations with systems including SunGard SCT Banner, Oracle (Peoplesoft), Datatel, and others.

ANGEL XEI processes data from your SIS through its
standards-based integration processor.

Standards-Based Architecture

Making the conceptual a practical reality is a driving force behind ANGEL Learning’s development initiatives. ANGEL Learning has demonstrated commitment to interoperability standards as they have emerged and is recognized for many course management system firsts. ANGEL takes standards implementation to the next level by structuring technical architecture around industry-wide standards.

• Assessment engine has been redesigned to include the IMS Question & Test Interoperability Specification.
• Integration routines are based on IMS Enterprise.
• Import/export routines have used IMS Content Packaging since the specification was first defined.

Building standards interoperability into core ANGEL technical architecture makes integration easier and demonstrates our commitment to the standards communities.

Learn more: ANGEL’s Standards Leadership

Security

Every institution has a responsibility to protect student data and provide a secure learning environment. Most institutions have already made a large investment in a security infrastructure; ANGEL fits seamlessly into your enterprise security plan.

• ANGEL includes adapters for authentication using LDAP, Active Directory, POP3, and database security.
• The ANGEL security infrastructure can be customized with adapters for other security mechanisms.
• ANGEL has been successfully integrated into the Shibboleth authentication and authorization framework.
• ANGEL can be configured to run using SSL to encrypt important data as it is transmitted.

Reliable Platform

ANGEL is built on the Microsoft Windows Server and SQL Server Platform, which provide ANGEL a reliable, stable and well-supported foundation. Building ANGEL solutions on the Microsoft Platform provides a low Total Cost of Ownership solution that also meets the high performance and support requirements mission-critical applications require. As a Microsoft Certified Partner ANGEL Learning has direct access to the Microsoft technical team ensuring high level product performance at all times.