1 By Fred Warr IT Overview
2 Historical Breakdown Arrived 4 years ago Major Issues:Old “Non-functional” Phone System Decentralized and Antiquated Servers Antiquated computer labs Lack of IT Vision Poor perception of IT across the campus Limited Budget
3 Historical Breakdown Old “Non-functional” Phone SystemPhone system would not work across campus after the 1st McClure re-model Telephone Company access fees were high as they had to support older technology
4 Historical Breakdown Decentralized and Antiquated ServersServers were spread out across campus based upon which department they were related to Network central hub for cooling and infrastructure was not being utilized Basic maintenance was not being performed as the servers were too scattered to effectively maintain them with two technicians Some server knowledge was being hoarded to gain an “illusion of control” by existing IT and by the departments where the servers were housed
5 Antiquated computer labsHistorical Breakdown Antiquated computer labs All labs in the college were old (5-7 years) Newest labs were 2-3 years old No plan for renewal existed
6 Historical Breakdown Lack of IT VisionProjects were not being planned or implemented There were no future projects Day-to-day IT support only Poor and inconsistent
7 Historical Breakdown Poor perception of IT departmentIt was a common belief when I arrived that the IT department Could NOT Would NOT Did NOT Want to help the college
8 Historical Breakdown Limited BudgetIT department’s perception was that the: “IT department’s budget was too small to accomplish anything” Unfortunately that meant there was no planning at all
9 Plan for Change My role is to generate , facilitate and implement positive change to the IT department and to the college. I had to first deal with the biggest problem: The Perception of IT on campus
10 Plan for Change Perception of IT DepartmentIT must be a trusted leader on campus and be a voice for innovation, positive change, new ideas and new technologies that promote the goals of the college. IT cannot dictate change, we must be able to lead, implement and (most importantly) collaborate with our campus peers to lead projects that will generate positive change.
11 Plan for Change The best way to improve the perception of IT was to lead and implement a major project successfully-the obvious choice was the telephone system IT did NOT just pick the telephone system, an IT committee was formed and vendor presentations were opened up to all interested parties on campus
12 Plan for Change Vendor presentations (3 or more) are necessary for all IT Projects IT Committee hosts the meeting and all interested participants are welcome IT must ensure technical specs can be met by all vendors Financial implications must be approved by business office Decision is made collaboratively Training is a must on all new projects
13 Plan for Change Leading projects collaboratively moves IT out of a day-to-day repair shop to a project based department. Department is no longer one that: Could NOT Would NOT Did NOT But rather, a department that DOES help the college and directly effects positive change Successful projects earn the IT department trust and respect
14 Plan for Change Next I had to deal with most legitimate problem:The Limited IT budget IT must be an advocate for additional funding IT must clearly state its vision to obtain buy-in for IT projects
15 Plan for Change IT must be an advocate for additional funding:IT actively participates in grant writing information requests Future projects can be earmarked and planned with grant proposals Once a grant is funded-IT must be flexible enough to make the IT projects work within the objectives of the grant, to meet grants objectives and move IT projects forward for the best campus-wide solution
16 Plan for change IT collaboration with these grants has helped to accomplish valuable IT projects. Title V Con Alma Grant NM Gateway project NASNTI Title V Co-op
17 Collaboration Title V Virtual Server / “Virtual Desktop”Grant investment ($117,785.60) Solved Decentralized and Antiquated Server issue Wireless Upgrade (BYOD) Title V, NASNTI, Title V Co-Op, NM Gateway, Con Alma Faculty Computers, Library Computers, Laptops (onsite and in outreach labs), iPads Provided needed infrastructure replacement Part of the solution for Antiquated Computer Labs
18 Collaboration Title V, NASNTI, Title V Co-OpAdditional Projects have been planned trying to meet the college’s goals: Mediasite STEM Lab AV upgrade Accutrack SQL Smart Classroom Upgrades Outreach Labs Computer Lab Upgrades Improving the internal infrastructure COW upgrades
19 Example of Smart ClassroomTwo Projectors Two Screens PC-Document Camera-LCD Central Console Laptop hookup Mic/video connections
20 Real improvement By developing a collaborative, project focused IT department, we have addressed all original problems, tasted success and have a clear path for the future. But we have to watch out!!
21 Future of IT It is easy in IT, with limited resources to look to other campuses, especially main campus for the direction we should go. For some IT functions this is fine, because we do not have any way to sustain them on our own. Banner Canvas my.nmsu/
22 Future of IT We also need to realize that other campuses may be able to advise, but they cannot and will not advocate for our campus. We need to have the ability to locally manage IT and our projects. We need to carefully and collaboratively make decisions for our campus. Working together, we can decide what we need, how to implement and what is “sustainable” for our future in IT We need to focus on meaningful investments for future projects.
23 Future of IT We currently can and do manage many IT projects in a sustainable way based upon decisions made in our best interest and for our campus Local Windows Domain All equipment purchases All telco (data and voice) circuits Printing Solutions IT badge systems iPad kiosks Wireless Access (BYOD)
24 Future of IT By managing our local campus in responsible and sustainable ways we are being noticed and copied by the main campus. It is valuable to NMSU-Grants to be an innovator for NMSU-Las Cruces-IT Department. Examples: WEPA Kiosks iPad Kiosks Grants Desktop
25 Moving On I have enjoyed my time here, I am proud of IT accomplishments over the last 4 years. I want to thank everyone who has worked with me to make the IT Department’s success possible. I would also advise my replacement should be positive, flexible, collaborative and innovative. I wish you all the best.