Implementing the Strategy via OUCS

Alex Reid

Director, Computing Services

CONTENTS

• Main Review Rationale
• Implications for Achieving Objectives
• Summary of Areas Addressed in Review
• Role of OUCS

RATIONALE

• Brief
• Non-Specific
• Few Objectives
• Clarifies Responsibilities
• Defines Framework=> a "Strategic Framework"

IMPLICATIONS

• Oxford's Uniqueness
• Highly Devolved:
  • Finances
  • Authority
  • Responsibility
• Colleges
• Steer only by:
  • Infrastructure
  • Central Training & Support
  • OUCS Shop??
  • Regulation
• Distributed Computing

IMPLICATIONS

DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING

• local, unless prima facie case for central
• inter-departmental=> provide centrally
• where only one needed=> provide centrally
• significant capital outlay=> provide centrally
• recognise effect of price trends=> -> locally
• discipline-specific=> locally
• recognise introduction of new technology=> centrally
• other central rationales:
  • economies of scale in equipment
  • economies of scale in specialist support needs
  • economies of scale in providing extended support
  • need for organisational/management infrastructure
  • ease of implementing policy/regulation/strategy
• recognise that distributed computing is not the cheapest, but maybe the most effective (local relevance)

REVIEW SUMMARY

• Overall Approach
• General/Generic Matters
  • IT Support Staff
  • Infrastructure
  • Regulation
  • Resources & Organisation
  • Training
• Support for Research
• Support for Teaching & Learning
• Support for Libraries
• Support for Administration
• Examples of Good Practice

ROLE OF OUCS

Appendix I. Summary

(b) The IT Committee will work with Personnel Services, OUCS and other relevant bodies to ensure that the University provides a sound working environment for IT support staff.
[para 10]

(d) OUCS will ensure that it builds and maintains a register of IT support staff, which it will use to ensure they receive focused support and development opportunities.
[para 12]

ROLE OF OUCS

IT Support Staff Register - What Use it For?

• Refer HelpDesk problems from Opted-out depts
• Allow problems even from Opted-out depts
• Give priority in HelpDesk
• Issue formal notices, invitations
• Facilitate formal inter-unit communications
• Involve in IT staff training initiatives
• Assign priority in other matters
• What else??

Appendix I. Summary (cont)

(e) OUCS will embark on a graduate trainee scheme, funding arrangements permitting.
[para 12]

IT Trainee Scheme

• New graduates
• 3, 6 or more months' "apprenticeship"
• On assignment (to OUCS, dept)
• Appoint "on spec"
• OR: train once appointed
• Salary met by: grant or the proposed host
• Content:
  • Induction (about IT at Oxford)
  • Basic IT skills - ECDL
  • Exposure to a range of professional services
  • Training needs assessment
• Requires concerted management
• Funding situation

Appendix I. Summary (cont)

(i) OUCS and other bodies providing infrastructure will provide clear Service Level Definitions of all key services.
[para 15]

Appendix I. Summary (cont)

(j) OUCS and other bodies providing key physical infrastructure will take all reasonable steps to guarantee its continuous availability.
[para 15]

Infrastructure: Continuous Service

• Reliability of network
• Cost of 24/7 coverage
• Payment for standby/call-out
• Reliance on "best efforts"

Appendix I. Summary (cont)

(k) All departments providing general services should provide sufficient information about those services to enable a central register to be maintained by OUCS.
[para 18]

Appendix I. Summary (cont)

(m) OUCS and the Central Purchasing Office will work together to produce a comprehensive Web-based directory of purchasing information.
[para 25]

Appendix II. Specific Objectives

(i) The University will maintain and improve its network infrastructure as the basic prerequisite for all its other strategic objectives in the application of IT.
[OUCS]

Appendix II. Specific Objectives (cont)

(v) Systematic provision should be made for the initial and ongoing training of IT support staff. Responsibility and arrangements for training should be defined whenever an IT support post is filled.
[OUCS and those recruiting support staff]

Training of IT Support Staff

• Needs assessment
• Awareness/Induction sessions
• Standard OUCS courses & ECDL
• Standard Staff Development courses
• "Import" HE-sector courses (Netskills, Exeter Networking)
• Identify VFM commercial courses in specialised areas
• Management of all this
• Funding situation
• Possible alternatives
• Departmental/College responsibility

Appendix II. Specific Objectives (cont)

(vi) OUCS will advance its plans to provide specialist technical support for IT staff throughout Oxford.
[OUCS]

Specialist Technical Support for IT Staff

• Identify all such people (IT Staff Register)
• Training
• Continued direct access to HelpDesk
• Priority at HelpDesk
• Direct access to certain technical specialists (regulated?)
• Review technical needs - via current channels:
  • it-support-sig
  • regular seminars
  • ITSSG
  • other special-interest IT staff groups
  • new channels required?

Appendix II. Specific Objectives (cont)

(viii) OUCS will extend its Network Management Scheme to provide emergency cover for local systems staff.
[OUCS]

Appendix II. Specific Objectives (cont)

(xv) The arrangements for procuring and providing advice on the purchase of equipment will be coordinated and streamlined.
[OUCS and Central Purchasing]

Appendix II. Specific Objectives (cont)

(xvi) The work of the units providing support for the production of teaching and presentational material should be coordinated with the aim of providing a central point of contact for users and a consistent charging mechanism.
[OUCS, HCU, ETRC, departments providing general services, Library Services]

CONCLUSIONS