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Product availability, features, and data processing for SaaS Learn deployment in South Africa

Date Published: Sep 27,2023


CategoryProduct:Learn Administration; Version:SaaS
Article No.: 000077978

Product:  
Blackboard Learn


Information:

Blackboard (now a part of Anthology) is pleased to work with institutions in Cape Town, South Africa, to deploy SaaS-based options for Blackboard Learn. SaaS offers Learn customers and prospects a choice of Blackboard Learn Ultra and Blackboard Learn Original course options, as well as Learn Ultra Base Navigation.
 
This document provides information and support regarding how data is handled for South African institutions, as well as what SaaS features are available for instances located in South Africa. This page is up to date as of 25 April 2023. We aim to update this page regularly. Due to the continuous deployment and enhancement of our products, this page may not reflect all the changes since the page was last updated.
  • SafeAssign is available in region and Anthology covers costs related to transfer of file to SafeAssign and processing the data. SafeAssign is hosted and served from the US. Client incurs the cost of retrieving and downloading an Originality Report only. Downloading original file still comes from the Learn server or BbAnnotate service, both in South Africa.
  • There is no user interface or backend telemetry sent by default. If Ally is requested, the backend telemetry will be sent to Frankfurt. If Blackboard Data is implemented, then UI telemetry will need to be routed there. There are no costs to the institution for the international data transfer.
  • MS Teams data flows as events from the Learn instance to Foundations/Glue Services running in Frankfurt. MS Teams will pull data as needed from those services to enable the integration. Extra costs are incurred for moving bits across the globe. AWS has a slight increased cost for cross region data transfer.
  • Cloud Storage is available in South Africa.
  •  BbAnnotate is available in South Africa and data is held in Cape Town.
  •  Learn Data Pipeline (LDP) is sent from AWS Cape Town to Frankfurt. LDP (Learn Data Pipeline) is a set of tables from the Learn transactional database that are loaded into Blackboard Data. Many of the most useful tables and columns are included, but it isn’t comprehensive. There are no additional charges for this international data transfer.
  • Blackboard Data is sent from AWS Cape Town to Frankfurt. There are no additional charges for this international data transfer. However, regarding runtime reports or data queries, the client will incur international transfer costs specific to the retrieval of report data from Blackboard Data.

If you have any questions, please contact your Account Executive, or open a case with Blackboard Client Support on Behind the Blackboard.

PLATFORM SERVICES – South Africa
Service is available and hosted in region
ΔService is available, but not hosted in region
Service is not available
 
SERVICE NAMESERVICE DESCRIPTIONSERVICE AVAILABILITYNOTES
Blackboard Learn ApplicationThe primary Learn application and databaseInclusive of the primary Learn application code, primary database, and core data objects abstracted into in-region microservices.
Blackboard Learn – Core Authentication ServicesHandles various authentication methods for the Learn application 
Blackboard Learn – Institution PagesHosts the Institution Pages feature and content added to modulesInstitution pages are running in South Africa and all data is hosted in region.
Blackboard Learn – AttendanceHosts the Attendance feature and stores attendance records 
Blackboard Learn – Document RenderingRenders files in Learn so users can view them without downloading them 
Blackboard Learn – Document AnnotationAllows users to view, annotate, and commented on files directly in their browser 
Blackboard Learn – Discussion Board Analysis ServiceProvides analytical information and score recommendations on discussion engagement and semantics 
Blackboard Learn – Cloud File PickerAllows users to easily copy files into Learn from various cloud providers such as Microsoft, Google, Dropbox, and Box 
Blackboard Learn – Cloud Provider IntegratorCloud Document LTI in Learn Ultra outline that permits choosing an item from One Drive.Services will also soon include Google.
Blackboard Learn – Ultra Early Adoption ManagerGives administrators options to adopt certain features in Ultra before they are made more broadly available (feature flags) 
Blackboard Learn – Mobile ServicesProcesses push notifications to Blackboard mobile app users 
Caliper Service    TransformsLearn event data into events compliant with the Caliper standard from 1EdTechΔThis service can be enabled by request and will route via the EU. It is available, but it is not hosted in region
Cloud ConnectorRegisters the unique Learn instance and its location for accessing services in the correct regionRoutes connections to services in-region when available and to external regions when those services reside elsewhere.
Direct Data AccessAn optional service that grants clients access to a near real-time clone of their Learn production database 
Learn Data Pipeline and TelemetryServices that handle the transfer of data from the Learn application to Blackboard DataTelemetry flows from South Africa to Europe for consumption in Blackboard Data
Blackboard DataA reporting platform for Learn clientsΔData is transferred out of region to Frankfurt in Europe for processing and access.
Blackboard Learn – SafeAssignProcesses student submissions for potential academic integrity concernsΔSubmissions are processed in the United States. Personal information is not transferred as part of the procedure, but personal information included in a submission is transferred out of region.
Blackboard Learn – Ultra UIServes the Ultra Experience graphic user interfaceAnthology utilizes a CDN for Ultra UI components and icons which are then served from the nearest “point of presence.” These locations would be Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Durban. No personal information is transferred as part of its use.
Blackboard Learn – Media CaptureRecords video and audio assessment feedbackΔMedia recordings are routed to the European Union (EU).
Blackboard Learn – Locale ServiceManages and hosts the text that appears in Learn’s Ultra Experience for all languagesΔText string edits made by administrators for their Learn environment are stored in the United States. No personal information is stored in the service.
Blackboard Learn – Blackboard AssistHosts the feature and the service profiles created by clientsΔInstitutional service profiles for Blackboard Assist are stored in United States. Clients shouldn’t add personally identifying information to service profiles.
Blackboard Learn – Blackboard HomeReports to administrators on Learn environment utilization metrics such as storageΔReports on system usage transfer from the United States. No personal information is transferred.
Blackboard Learn – In-product Survey ServicePresents users with in-product surveys; collects and aggregates responsesΔSurvey responses are collected and aggregated in the United States, but no personal information is collected.
API and LTI Gateway    Handles authorization of add-on tools using REST, LTI, and Ultra Extension FrameworkΔSecures three-legged OAuth connections between Learn and a third-party application. Processes tool security key rotations. Registered 3rd-party tool providers can see the names of institutions that have installed their applications. Personal information is not stored.
Platform Extensions ServicesHosts add-on tools provided by Anthology Professional Services team that clients can opt intoΔOptional add-on extension generally hosted in United States.
Chatbot    Service for adding a chatbot help assistant in LearnNot available in region.

 

Related Links and Resources:

For additional information, please see the following page on Blackboard Help: Learn SaaS Plus and Advantage Options



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