Information Services

The restructure in the Information Technology (IT) area is now complete. This has allowed us to create an agile technology services department, amalgamating the provision of computer support and audio visual services, raising the priority of contract management and establishing a programme management unit to ensure our enterprise applications are more than fit for purpose. We are moving to redefine and, if needed, realign our service provision in the Library to ensure that the structure will sustain and support our Corporate Vision for 2015.

Recent achievements in Information Services, which were carried out while we were completing our structural improvements, include:

• Implementing two more modules of ISIS - student records and programme management
• Significantly progressing the implementation of self registration and the fees interface for ISIS
• Redesigning and refitting over 80 teaching spaces with improvements to the lectern, cabling and controller module, and incorporating a camera and facility to video-conference or capture lecture materials to the web
• Selecting and progressing the procurement of a research repository to assist with our Research Quality Framework preparations
• Assisting with the new web redesign and implementation
• Successfully completing a test pilot of the eProcurement system and preparing to roll this out further over summer
• Moving to a new web-based booking and knowledge management system on the Service Desk to improve accuracy and responsiveness and enable more self-help

There are four major initiatives being undertaken this summer: the replacement of over 800 personal computers for staff and in the Laboratories; the installation of a new research repository, Digital Commons; a move to ISIS self registration with a new fees interface; and the upgrade of the network including improvements in Caledonian Court, the complete replacement of the core and possibly wireless network. I know these major projects will stretch us; however the team is more than capable of acquitting these projects on time and to a high standard. Please keep us informed if you see any areas we can improve upon while carrying out this work.

Our staff took time to explore the new Information Strategy at a deeper level at two workshops held in June. Staff from across Information Services will work together with Organisational Development to add further detail to the Strategy. Our aim is to ensure that we do everything possible to improve our service and support the access and internationalisation strategies from the Corporate Vision 2015. If there is anything you wish to add to our Strategy please let one of our staff know personally, or log it with the Service Desk and we will try to incorporate it into our next revision.

The new Information Services web log has access to our Strategy documents.

Jeff Murray,
Chief Information Officer

(view ISIS Programme Feature)

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'Everything you can imagine is real.' - Pablo Picasso