NSW TAFE already hunting for new IT platform after LMBR fiasco

NSW TAFE has wasted no time going to market for a replacement for its dumped student management solution, putting the call out to suppliers on the same day it announced it would ditch its Tribal platform.

On Friday the vocational education provider revealed it would get rid of the Tribal solution, installed as part of the state government's learning management and business reform (LMBR) technology overhaul.

It marked the first casualty of the late-running and over-budget LMBR project.

The Tribal solution was switched on across the NSW TAFE system in October 2014, but the system went on to cause significant problems in enrolment periods, delaying student sign-ups and leaving TAFE unable to properly track course fees.

The organisation was late last year forced to write down the value of the platform by $12.7 million.

NSW Skills Minister John Barilano said on Friday TAFE had directed to start the search for a cloud-based solution to replace the dumped LMBR enrolment platform.

The organisation formally detailled its requirements for the new platform the same day.

"TAFE NSW is seeking an agile and scalable solution that will facilitate a positive and effective user experience for students and TAFE NSW staff. It is envisaged that the solution will be cloud based," it told potential bidders.

"The solution must facilitate an effective digital engagement with students, encompassing recruitment; enrolment to the student’s life cycle across the breadth of TAFE NSW’s educational and training opportunities; and alumni services. "

NSW TAFE expects to release its full list of requirements next Thursday, and said it would not respond to any enquiries about the project until then.

Only suppliers on the state's advanced register supplier list will be able to bid for the work.