I: Introduction
Shadow systems
Shadow systems are locally developed systems that duplicate and/or improve on functions or activities supported by core institutional information systems. Because many core systems are old, use antiquated and unfriendly technology, and were not designed to support analysis and ad hoc reporting, and as campus desktop computing environments have matured, many departmental personnel who depend on financial information have deployed sophisticated systems to provide departmental accounting and other services. These systems can essentially represent duplicate accounting books. While these systems go far in meeting local needs for information and function, they often generate substantial redundant workload and create often-significant data integrity and quality problems resulting in complicated month-end and year-end reconciliations with the institution's "book of record." Financial information systems that meet the needs of the most particular and sophisticated users of such information -- often the auxiliaries -- reduce the incentives to develop and support shadow systems.
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