Cloud computing enables UCAS applicants to reach for the skies

ENGLAND, UK: UCAS' new cloud-based results day service came through its toughest test with flying colours, ensuring that more than 380,000 applicants were able to find out whether they had secured places at their chosen university or college.

At peak times, the ‘Track' system saw more than 180 logins per second. Track was designed and built by UCAS' technology partner IPL, an IT services company specialising in mission-critical IT consultancy and software.

Following the successful introduction of a temporary cloud-based system on results day in 2012, IPL and UCAS have worked together to extend the portal from being a read-only service to a fully interactive, 24x7 year-round scalable cloud solution for students applying to universities and colleges.

Applicants can now respond to offers online, change personal details in support of their applications and access Clearing using the cloud based system. The 2014 applications cycle begins in earnest next month and the portal will support entrants into the application process.

UCAS chose IPL as a technology partner because of its record in delivering highly complex, business-critical systems for large organisations and government departments. IPL in turn harnessed the power of Microsoft's Windows Azure cloud platform because of its ability to provide security and reliability in handling substantial traffic volumes for major organisations.