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Monthly Bulletin - May 2019

by Anonymous in , ,

I'm pleased to share our monthly bulletin, which provides a summary of activities & accomplishments for the department of Information Technology Services over the previous month, and what's coming this month.

User Services

  • Computer Inventory records update: over 2000 Zoho records have been updated and corrected through a process of physical inventory and cross-referencing of data.  Data has been shared with departments for replacement planning.
  • Adobe Creative Cloud 2019 is being installed in labs/classrooms and is available for faculty and staff.
  • Windows 10 upgrade process – 65% of polled machines are now using Windows 10.
  • More than 147 Shared Solution Center Service requests were received for User Services in May. 

Application Services

  • Shawn Bochat assumed the interim role of Associate Director of Application Services.  Neal Fisch continues his role of Information Security Officer and PeopleSoft Security Administrator for CI Records, CI Personnel, and CI Financials
  • Development, Quality Assurance, and Move to Production completed or scheduled during May 2019:
    • Smart Planner – Campus Configuration / Bug Fixes
    • Perceptive Enterprise Document Management (EDM) SQL View Updates
    • InsideTrack CRM Interface Updates
    • Via Watermark API Interface Updates
  • Database Scripts for the following areas were developed and deployed during May 2019:
    • Admissions (2)
    • Student Records (1)
    • Student Financials (2)
  • Work continues on the implementation and rollout of Med-Proctor to support the Immunization Records Executive Order from the CO by Shawn Bochat.
  • Work continues on Student Financials Summer/Fall configuration activities and Academic Career / Program Fee restructuring by Lacey Lovejoy.
  • Maintenance pack MP 7.00 was migrated to CI Records and CI Personnel 5/2/2019
  • Maintenance pack MP 7.01 was deployed for User Acceptance Testing
  • Application Services continued supporting the following operations and projects:
    • Student Finance and Student Business Services Training and Support
    • Title IX Interface Re-design
    • AdmitHub Chatbot
    • LCD Issue Support
    • Med-Proctor Immunizations
    • Migration Operations

Infrastructure

  • Ongoing work on campus SAFE project – doors and cameras pathways and telecom rooms.
  • Commencement security and wireless equipment setup and tear down.
  • Commencement technical oversight for streaming vendor.
  • Technical support work for Casa Pacifica event.
  • Consultation and assistance prep for Camp Kramer presence.
  • Ran a Parallels Remote Applications Server pilot program.  This will eventually become more widespread over next two semesters.  This will allow the us to “stream” applications to workstations, tablets and phones, such as SPSS, Microsoft Office, etc.
  • Began project to decommission or upgrade all Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 servers and virtual machines so they will be supported by Microsoft in 2020 and beyond.
  • Installed the CommVault HyperScale appliance for server backups.
  • Added DMZ to Fx2 environment.
  • BadgePass/Blackboard transact photo submission project.
  • StarRez Portal server migration and Portal X module installation.
  • POC project for cloud computing in Azure. Our MIS department received a grant from Microsoft.

Information Security

  • Work continues on the Level 1 Data Inventory and ITS is on track to meet the reporting deadline of 6/28.

Project Management

  • ITS was awarded a $10,000 innovation mini-grant from the CSU Chancellor’s Office for a multi-campus business process automation tool proof-of-concept. During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, CSUCI will work with other CSU campuses to develop best practices for building and sharing electronic forms and workflows using a standard tool. Please contact Peter Mosinskis with any questions.
  • Completed go-live of Hyland/Brainware intelligent capture of transcripts (ICT) platform for Enrollment Management on 5/13. Provide post-launch support & follow up on remaining issues.
  • The Chancellor’s Office has finalized a systemwide purchasing agreement for the Adobe Sign e-forms and digital signature platform. In collaboration with the VP BFA, ITS is developing a plan to deploy the Adobe Sign platform over the next 12 months. Details are forthcoming. Please contact Peter Mosinskis, Director of ITS Strategy with any questions.
  • Supported Human Resources and Shared Services Solution Center in TeamDynamix ticketing platform go-live on 5/20
  • TeamDynamix service management system was upgraded to v10.3. New functionality includes primarily administrative enhancements to workflow creation and form design. Full details can be found at https://solutions.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/KB/ArticleDet?ID=76193
  • Kick off of Lynx-25Live migration project with Academic Affairs. Lynx is an upgrade to the transactional system that improves speed and reliability of regular delivery of information between 25Live and PeopleSoft.
  • Online photo submission project to support student submission of ID card photos has been delayed due to bugs discovered in the Blackboard Transact product that must be repaired by the vendor. Once bugs are repaired, tentative go-live expected in early fall.
  • Research & provide data for Extended University course shopping cart system
  • Work with Office of the President to evaluate existing Rocket document management system issues and functionality.

Web Services

  • ​Troubleshooting Trumba notifications interface in preparation for events calendar interface upgrade.
  • Deployed Commencement 2019 mobile app experience for event-day access in goCI.
  • Preparing single-sign on code for Housing & Residential Education migration to new StarRez Portal X system
  • Pre- and post-launch support of Hyland/Brainware go-live
  • Redesign work for Library home page continues
  • Completed 74 tickets last month    

Technology & Communication is now Technology & Innovation

by in ,

I'm pleased to share this note from Michael Berman, Vice President for Technology & Innovation:

Dear colleagues,

As you already know from President Beck’s announcement, our good friends in Communication and Marketing are moving over to the Division of Advancement. We are sorry to see them leave Solano [Hall], but we’re glad they won’t be far away. We will be able to build on our shared history to continue our successful collaboration in days to come.

This change also makes the name “Technology & Communication” obsolete, so we need a name to reflect our new identity as the division that supports technology and teaching & learning through innovation.

After consulting with our Division's leadership team and the Cabinet, President Beck approved "Technology & Innovation" (abbreviated as T&I) to represent the mission and vision of our division. I’m pleased that this name emphasizes continuity with “T&C” and honors the great work that we have done together over the past 5+ years.

...

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions, and thank you for all you do to support the students of CI – and each other.

Michael
Over the next few months, our Division will be working to update our web site, documentation, and all communication collateral to reflect our new identity. New logo extensions with the division's new name have already been created and are be available for those who need them.

Q&A regarding the IT procurement process

by in , , ,

In an October session of CI's Academic Senate, a number of questions were raised regarding the purpose and intent of the revised IT procurement process. For the benefit of the campus community, we're pleased to share the feedback which we provided.

Clarification on the new paperwork for Technology purchases - What is the purpose?
The Division of Technology & Communication (T&C) has always had the responsibility to review most technology purchases; however, this was taking place behind the scenes as an inefficient, ad hoc, email-based process. We were losing track of procurement requests at an unacceptable frequency.

The updated procurement process (launched in March 2016 and developed through a partnership between Procurement & Logistical Services and T&C) was developed to provide a more consistent, transparent, efficient and "paper less" procurement experience for IT products and services; and to assure the we are effectively managing risk throughout the procurement process.

What category of equipment need to have the paperwork?
Consumable items (e.g., blank DVD media, etc.) & incidental computing accessories for personal use (e.g., flash drives, external hard drives, keyboards, mice, etc.) are exempt from this process.

All other procurements for IT-related products and services (including computers, printers, hardware and software) must be submitted online as described at http://www.csuci.edu/tc/purchasing/ . There are 2 categories: standard (for standard IT equipment as described on the T&C Quotes page) and custom (which includes all non-standard procurements, including new software or hardware procurements, software renewals, and consulting services).

Because they are non-standard, custom procurements typically require more detailed evaluation to determine the impact on the campus. The documents required to complete a custom IT procurement are described on the Information Technology Purchasing page at: http://www.csuci.edu/tc/purchasing/ . The process automatically adjusts evaluation requirements according to the type and complexity of the procurement.

What is the implication on the time of processing for the additional paperwork?
The time that it takes to complete a procurement varies widely on the complexity and impact of the procurement, as well as current capacity within T&C and Procurement. Typically custom procurements take longer than standard procurements. We understand this process is time consuming. There were some delays as we implemented the new process, but we are seeing significant improvement in processing time. ​​Please be assured that T&C and Procurement stakeholders meet regularly to continue to review & refine the process.

Since the launch of the new process in March, T&C and Procurement process on average 40 IT procurements per month. Here are some statistics for October 2017:

Standard procurement (start-to-finish) completion time:
Average: 5 days
Minimum: 3 days
Maximum: 8 days
3-month maximum: 69 days

Custom procurement (start-to-finish) completion time:
Average: 7 days
Minimum: 0 days
Maximum: 12 days
3-month maximum: 54 days

If we are using an external vendor for the equipment and they maintain the equipment, why is the extra paperwork needed?

T&C is obligated to ensure that IT products and services procured by the campus align with campus & CSU policy, applicable laws, and industry best practices so that we can continue to have an efficient, effective, reliable and secure campus technology infrastructure. It's important to evaluate all IT products & services delivered by our partners to ensure they can be installed, used and supported without imposing undue burden or risk on campus operations.​


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In conjunction with the Division of Business & Financial Affairs (BFA), T&C also held two IT procurement workshops this fall to review the current process and answer questions. Further workshops will be held in spring 2017 and during future semesters. For further questions or comments, or to inquire about the next IT procurement workshops, please contact Peter Mosinskis, Director of IT Strategy at peter.mosinskis@csuci.edu.

2014-15 T&C Annual Report

by in , ,

The Division of Technology & Communication is pleased to share its annual report for the 2014-15 fiscal year for your review:

View the 2014-15 Annual Report (in PDF format)

We are deeply grateful to T&C staff, campus leadership, and the University community for their ongoing support in creating a technology environment that enhances the educational experience and University operations at CI.


CI Mobile Forum - notes from proceedings

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On Thursday March 14, 27 students, faculty and staff met for the CI Open Forum on Mobile Strategy, and engaged in lively and thoughtful discussion of the challenges and opportunities CI faces in building a mobile campus and the future of mobile technology at CI.  

You can view notes from the mobile strategy forum and “unconference” proceedings.

As requested by forum participants, we’ll be sharing some narrated videos about mobile terminology, concepts and considerations on this same web site in the near future.

In the meanwhile, if you have any further thoughts, questions or comments about making CI more mobile-friendly, please feel free to contact Peter Mosinskis at peter.mosinskis@csuci.edu.


Future of Mobile Technology at CI - RSVP Today!

by in , , , ,

What does it mean to have a mobile campus, and what will it take for CI to get there? 

 The Division of Technology & Communication (T&C) is pleased to invite students, faculty, staff and members of the community to join CI leaders, technology professionals and mobile technology enthusiasts for an interactive discussion on the future of mobile technology at CI.

Bring your laptop, tablet or smartphone to the forum; there will be opportunities for live mobile collaboration. Feel free to invite a friend!

Light refreshments will be served.

Date: Thursday, March 14, 2013
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Broome Library 1360
Who: anyone interested in mobile technology and campus strategy

Please RSVP by Thursday, March 7 using our RSVP form.

Please contact Peter Mosinskis, Director of IT Strategy, at peter.mosinskis@csuci.edu, or call 805-437-8587 with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the event. 

 In the meanwhile, feel free to post your thoughts about how mobile technology is shaping the way you learn, work and live at CI. 

The Year Ahead in IT, 2013

by Anonymous in ,

From Lev Gonick, formerly of Cal Poly Pomona and CSU Monterey Bay and now CIO at Case Western University, comes this excellent essay - http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2013/01/03/predictions-about-higher-ed-technology-2013-essay.

How Many Wires in a Wireless Building?

by Anonymous in ,

CI's West Hall, scheduled for completion in 2015, is in the early design phase now. Today a group us met with the architects to discuss our overall technology strategy for the building. We are proceeding on the assumption that there will be very few hard-wired network devices of any kind - nearly everything will be wireless. While we may need more wireless infrastructure than in our current buildings, reducing the number of hard-wired stations will reduce the construction cost, the electricity needs and the cooling requirements for the building, making it not only more usable, but "greener" at the same time. So while we will still need some wires in a "wireless" building, we're excited about building a new building with many fewer wires.