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ITSS 2006 Goals, Priorities, and Future Plans

Priorities for 2005-2006

• Security Initiatives: Improve security on desktop computers, servers, wireless devices, and the network as a whole. Install network-based security cameras to improve campus security.
• Customer Service Initiative: Improve customer service through activities of the ITSS customer service team, staff training, and improved tools for recording and reporting on customer requests.
• Audit: Prepare for and respond to audit.
• Research and Development: Provide tools and training for ITSS staff and customers that enable delivery of cutting-edge technology and improved services.
• Infrastructure: Provide excellent, fault-tolerant infrastructure by improving network architecture, upgrading systems using clustering and redundancy, and expanding wireless network access.

Goals for 2005-2006

The goals below are not listed in order of importance. The projects listed under each goal are a subset of all we will do. We encourage each ITSS team to determine how their projects will help to support our goals.

Improve Classroom and Learning Technology

• Implement next-generation classroom technology.
• Implement standard student response system technology in campus classrooms.
• Research and development for high-definition television and digital video.
• Rewrite eGradebook.
• Expand eClass offerings.

Improve Student Services

• Work with collegiate units to develop new ways of delivering curriculum-based technology services to students.
• Move the computing lab in SCC 42 to the Swenson Laboratory Sciences Building.
• Support the CLA Laptop Initiative.
• Upgrade to new version of Mac OS X in computer labs.
• Move to new PC operating system in computer labs.
• Publicize and expand services of the Student Technology Assistance Center.
• Upgrade the residence hall network.
• Evaluate success of thin-client technology for student basic access.

Improve Services and Support for Customers

• Support Microsoft Campus Agreement, including new services for students.
• Support PeopleSoft replacement for CUFS.
• Support replacement of Facilities Management system.
• Complete comprehensive review of all ITSS policies.
• Review and revise Recommended Technology Solutions.
• Expand web development services, with special attention to accessibility and usability issues.
• Establish a useful portal at UMD.
• Attain fifty percent compliance with web accessibility guidelines for the UMD web site.
• Improve Help Desk reporting system.
• Review and consolidate service databases.
• Contact each campus department regarding Standard on Securing Private Data.
• Improve security for credit card numbers, social security numbers, protected health information, and other private data.

Improve Fiscal Management

• Revise our rates for FY2007 based on ISO principles and regulations.
• Deliver on-line billing information to campus.
• Convert all credit-card applications to secure enterprise system.
• Prepare for and respond to audit.
• Improve software license process.
• Research new accounting system.

Improve Campus Infrastructure

• Lead initiative to improve campus computer and network security.
• Continue integration of voice, data, and video over a common campus network infrastructure.
• Develop construction specifications for classroom technology.
• Establish IP-priority on the network for ITV, IP video, and IP telephony.
• Extend capability for 100 Mbit data to the desktop to 25 campus buildings.
• Establish capability for gigabit data to the building in twelve campus buildings.
• Rewire two campus buildings for phone, data, and video: Humanities and Bohannon.
• Expand use of NetReg to the entire campus.
• Implement improved security systems and video surveillance systems on campus.
• Update and maintain the long-term infrastructure plan.
• Replace the voice mail system. Upgrade the telephone PBX.
• Record 40 percent of cable plant information in the UPlant database.
• Complete redundant network backbone infrastructure.
• Oversee telecommunications infrastructure for building and reconstruction projects: Swenson Science Building, Sports and Health Center, Kirby Student Center, Life Science, Sophie Concourse, Washburn Hall, and School of Business and Economics.
• Improve phone and network services to the lower campus.
• Move public network jacks to authenticated network.
• Establish compliance with auditor recommendations for backup and security.
• Upgrade and patch operating systems on server systems.
• Improve email service.
• Upgrade office server.
• Replace server systems based on mean-time-between-failure statistics.
• Upgrade and improve Operational Continuity Plan based on server replacement and architecture changes.
• Exercise and update operational continuity plan.
• Expand wireless network and move to next-generation wireless technology. Complete implementation of wireless plan by June 30, 2006.
• Work with campus units to consolidate servers into secure server rooms and provide shared SAN access.

Improve Working Environment for ITSS Staff

• Encourage staff training and professional development.
• Provide a working environment for staff that encourages them to remain employed at ITSS.
• Continue to emphasize importance of a healthy and safe working environment for staff.
• Fill open staff positions. Welcome and train new staff.
• Review and revise ITSS staff handbook.

Participate in Campus Life

• Meet and coordinate activities with our campus partners.
• Contribute to campus governance and activities by serving on committees, task forces, commissions, etc., where appropriate.

Technology Development

• Research encryption for wireless data transmissions.
• Expand single sign-on for computer systems where appropriate.
• Investigate integrated messaging services.
• Investigate new web design languages.
• Research instant messaging and web logs.
• Investigate improved email security using digital signatures and enhanced authentication.

Future Projects

Major Recurring Projects

• Work with collegiate units to develop new ways of delivering curriculum-based technology services to students.
• Upgrade to new operating systems in computer labs.
• Regularly review all ITSS policies.
• Improve compliance with web accessibility guidelines for UMD web site.
• Revise our rates based on ISO principles and regulations.
• Lead initiative to improve campus computer and network security.
• Increase network speed and reliability.
• Rewire campus buildings for phone, data, and video.
• Update and maintain the long-term infrastructure plan.
• Participate in all campus renovation and building projects.
• Exercise and update operational continuity plan.
• Upgrade and replace equipment and infrastructure to support delivery of excellent services.
• Upgrade and patch operating systems on server systems.
• Encourage staff training and professional development.
• Provide a working environment for staff that encourages them to remain employed at ITSS.
• Continue to emphasize importance of a healthy and safe working environment for staff.
• Meet and coordinate activities with our campus partners.
• Contribute to campus governance and activities by serving on committees, task forces, commissions, etc., where appropriate.
• Review the IT landscape for useful emerging technologies.

Major Special Projects

• Participate in planning and development of high-tech classroom building.
• Research game and simulation development.
• Develop off-site backup solution for major systems.
• Investigate on-campus wireless telephone service.
• Record cable plant in UPlant database.
• Integration of voice, data, and video over a common campus network infrastructure.
• Move to new location for offices and operations in Kirby Plaza.

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