The Department of Data Processing is responsible for the development and maintenance of data systems for the use of Institute scientists and administrators. All systems have been, and are currently being, developed according to the newest Client/Server Internet/Intranet technology, in which a client-user is connected to an Internet web server via multi-platform-compatible web browser software. In such an environment the client is not bound by any specific desktop platform, and can communicate freely with any international Internet or local Intranet site. Within this structure, Oracle Development Tools serves as the department's vehicle for all current and new systems.

The extremely successful Internal Services project, which has been running smoothly in production for over four years, is constantly being upgraded and expanded. This web-enabled system, which monitors all in-house transfer of goods and services, has had a campus-wide impact on internal campus communication. It provides an on-line catalogue of items available from various Institute departments (providers), and a user-friendly interface for placing, processing, and tracking internal orders. Most importantly, the system automatically debits and credits the department budgets or projects for these transactions. Many services have been added to the system in the past year:

1. Worker cards
2. Affymetrix Genechip
3. Spotted Microarrays
4. Nano-Bio Lab
5. Software and Analysis
6. Microarray Queue
7. Microtechnology
8. Facs Safety System

The Oracle ERP Applications-based Human Resources software package has been in production for two years, and the system has been instrumental in centralizing all of the human resources information and activities of the Institute, as well as providing, at long last, a single updated source of tabular information to be accessed by the entire campus. Additional modules, which help to systematize the Institute's organizational structure, are added regularly according to requests by the Division of Human Resources. Most recently, a link between the HR data base and the Internal Services system was developed to enable individual staff members to access and update his or her own personal details (for viewing in the supremely successful on-line Electronic Directory) via the already familiar Internal Services screens.

The department is moving steadily toward its goal of a completely web-enabled environment:

• The Feinberg Graduate School system, which has successfully been in production for almost two years, enables students to register for laboratory time according to availability, and to view their grade scores on-line via the web. Recent enhancements include instructors' being able to enter student grades via the system, and the addition of pictures to the students' files. A complete menu of on-line interaction among students, lecturers, and the administration now includes the automatic production of student cards, on-line questionnaires, the scheduling of rooms, a dynamic exchange and updating of grant reports, and the tracking of student and alumni awards.
• The integration of many small applications in the Academic Affairs office into one larger Oracle data base application has been completed. The new system monitors all administrative aspects of the scientific community, including sabbaticals, appointments, and organizational structure.

In addition, the department maintains important systems whose development is complete. These include:

• the system for the Visiting Scientists Office, which monitors the many details associated with visitor housing and tenure.
• the system for the Department of Donor Relations, which monitors all financial and social contacts with donors and Institute support committees, in Israel and abroad.
• a touch-screen system for the Levinson Visitors' Center that funnels information automatically to the Department of Donor Relations.
• the Telephones Financial Management system.
• the young@science system, which monitors after-school science activities offered by the Institute to Rehovot children. A new addition to the system manages a multifaceted program of organized school outings to the Science Park.
• the IACUC (International Animal Care and Use Committee) system, which enables scientists to submit applications for veterinary resources via the Internet, replacing the previous email/telephone system. In the first month of production, over forty applications were processed.
• the system to monitor the working hours of the private Security Service the Institute has employed.
• the transportation system, which enables the ordering of transportation services and movement of goods via the campus Intranet.

The extremely successful ERP system, based on Tafnit software, has been functioning smoothly since 2007, and is constantly being upgraded and expanded.

The system includes the following main modules: Finance, Budgets, Travel, Research Grants, Purchasing & Logistics, Construction and Salary Accounting, as well as an interface with the existing HR Oracle Applications module. The reporting and management of Research Grants and Financing have been upgraded to one integrated system, providing information transparency and automatic data control, according to accepted procedures and financial protocols. Data regarding where, when and by whom different operations were performed is stored and readily accessible. The whole process of a transaction, beginning with the request from the scientist and ending with the payment process and its connection to the research, is accomplished within one system.

The ERP enables data retrieval and integration of data and processes from all information systems in the Insitute, thus providing the complete and transparent information necessary for informed managerial decisions. This web-enabled system has had a campus-wide impact on documents workflow, control and reminders, where needed. For further details, see the Tafnit System site at http://www1.weizmannl.ac.il/tafnit/.