Hosted Data Services

FAQs

What are Hosted Data Services?

Hosted Data Services (HDS) is a self-managed service provided by ITR that allows Departments to extend controlled access to centralised data, providing the opportunity for an “all hands on deck” approach to ensuring data remains current and up-to-date.
HDS takes away your concerns for lost and corrupted data by storing all data and applications in an Oracle database protected by backup and recovery to the last committed change.
The underlying technology used with HDS is Oracle Application Express (APEX).

What services does Hosted Data Services provide? How can the Hosted Data Services assist me?

• Provision /De-provision of Accounts, Workspace and Data Storage.
• Advice and guidance on loading and maintaining spreadsheet data.
• Advice and guidance on how best to use hosted data services.
• Community engagement.
• Manage quality of services.

What benefits are there in using the Hosted Data Services?

• Unique and personalized interactive  reporting and charting
• Easy to load data and create basic applications
• Easier to share data – anywhere and any time
• Concurrent Access - more than one user can change data at a time
• Data protection for mission critical data – data stored centrally and is transmitted in an encrypted format using the HTTPS network protocol
• Extensive and ubiquitous access across UTAS networks - access from the internet possible with VPN
• Better security – local authentication and directory based authentication and authorisation supported
• Web Browser independence - support for IE, Firefox and Safari
• Highly scalable  -  able to support large numbers of users

Is training available for Hosted Data Services?

HDS staff will occasionally run starter courses for  group of new HDS users.

Can anyone use  Hosted Data Services?

HDS is only available for use by UTAS staff members who have been allocated a UTAS Active Directory account.
HDS is expected to be more suitable for administrative business uses. The reason for this is that HDS does not provide statistical analysis utilities or interfaces to systems such as SPSS. Beyond this, the end purpose for using HDS is entirely at the discretion of the staff member.

I would like help in converting my excel spreadsheets into  APEX – where can I go for help?

You can direct your  enquiries  to Hosted Data Services on hosted.data@utas.edu.au.

I am having problems with my interactive report / application and need assistance.Where can I find help?

Please review the help provided at  http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E23903_01/doc/doc.41/e21674/start.htm#BEHFIBJD.. If you are still having problems then you can direct your query to the Hosted Data Service on hosted.data@utas.edu.au.

What are Hosted Data Services Communities?

The Hosted Data Services would like to establish APEX communities within the University. The aim of the community is to:

• Help each other with the development of new applications and/or maintenance of existing APEX applications
• Disseminate information and receive feedback in relation to ITR’s Hosted Data Services
• Share experience and knowledge,

If you would like to participant in an APEX community or would like further information, please email hosted.data@utas.edu.au.

What is APEX?

APEX is a rapid web application development tool for the Oracle database. Using only a web browser and limited programming experience, you can develop and deploy professional applications that are both fast and secure.
Oracle application express combines the qualities of a personal database, productivity, ease of use, and flexibility with the qualities of an enterprise database, security, integrity, scalability, availability and is built for the web.
Application Express is a tool to build web-based applications and the application development environment is also conveniently web-based.

What data is currently hosted in Hosted Data Services?

Hosted Data Services is currently hosting several data within the Division of Finance & Administration.