Academic institutions' dependence on web-based technologies to improve efficiency in class offerings, academic records, and office documentation is increasing at a rapid pace. The resource constraints of most academic institutions require that the technology be flexible, expandable, easily maintained, and cost efficient. The VNet platform suite directly meets these needs and provides capabilities far beyond those available in current products. VNet is a modern web-based operating system and applications platform suite, which is presently being developed and implemented at the University of Houston. Besides serving as a central access point to available electronic campus resources, VNet also provides additional innovative services to students, faculty, administrators and staff. VNet is thus changing the way the University community communicates and exchanges information by:centralizing information environment for administration and academic services,replacing obsolete and time-consuming paper forms with modern web electronic forms, allowing staff to archive all documents electronically for fast web retrieval,providing faculty real-time access to cost centers and remote management of financial accounts, making modern technology multimedia services such as streaming course lectures and news bulletin boards easily accessible, andestablishing a secure and fast environment for development of new web applications. Our target audiences include 1) large, modern academic institutions aiming to remain at the forefront of technology by utilizing the most user-friendly, cost-effective products in the market and 2) smaller institutions desiring to incorporate advanced technology in to their core activities on restricted budgets.