Information Technology Services Annual Report
It has been another successful year for Information Technology Services culminating
with the completion of several key initiatives.
We enhanced the quality of our technology infrastructure by completing several key
projects, including the migration of internet services to Network Nebraska, the
installation of a new storage area network, back-up systems, distribution and edge layer
switching, the second phase of our campus fiber ring and the installation of a new
firewall and core switch on our Grand Island campus and now have all three campuses
connected through a Wide Area Network.
We assisted with the renovation of Smith Hall. A dedicated gaming room and lounge was
equipped with a state-of-the-art audio-visual system. The lab equipment, building
switches and cabling were also updated.
From an enterprise information perspective we completed the implementation of online
payments and statements, Advancement’s monthly and President’s report, and we are
currently working with the Office of Communication and Marketing to complete the first
phase of the new website which will be implemented after the first of the year.
Earlier in the year we completed the first phase of our data warehouse project by
installing Datatel Orchestrator. Each evening, the data warehouse is refreshed with
information from our transactional system Datatel Colleague. We are in the process of
migrating reports to this new platform. Our long-range goal for this project is to provide
an easy to access and reliable source of information for faculty and staff to use to help
measure and guide our progress.
We successfully upgraded Blackboard to the enterprise version. As part of the upgrade
we now have access to a host of building blocks that will allow us to integrate third party
academic tools from Google (Google Docs), Apple (iTunesU) and other key vendors.
Lastly, a committee was formed to “explore the best uses of technology to enhance
student learning and effectively deliver the distinctive Doane academic experience at
both the undergraduate and graduate levels.”
A series of draft recommendations were developed that include:
a) Expanding opportunities for faculty to learn best practices, expanding IT’s human
and physical resources to support academic computing and the increasing
demands of research.
b) Engaging a library consultant to propose a reconfiguration or renovation of its
space.
c) Hiring an instructional technologist.
d) Asking appropriate committees to review the possibilities for blended learning.
e) Examining pilot programs for the standardization of student hardware and
software on mobile devices.
October 2011
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Information Technology Services Annual Report
In conjunction with the ongoing institutional strategic planning process, we will be
meeting with the committee to finalize our recommendations and, as appropriate,
incorporate them in the institutional plan.
1. Teaching and Learning
a. Learning Spaces and Distance Learning Environments
Initiative
Target
Outcomes
Continue Classroom,
and Lab Technology
Refresh Plan
Crete Campus: Refresh IST, and
Education Labs
Completed Summer 2011.
Expand the number
of Smart Classrooms
October 2011
Crete Campus: Upgraded 8
classrooms.
Completed Summer 2011.
Crete Campus: Upgraded Adobe
CS 5.5 in Graphic Arts and
Journalism.
Completed Summer 2011.
Lincoln Campus: Refresh Graphic
Arts lab and Upgrade Adobe CS
5.5.
Completed Summer 2011.
Lincoln Campus: Install portable
Smart board in Fred D. Brown
Center
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Completed Summer 2011.
Information Technology Services Annual Report
2. Administrative and Constituent Services
a. Enterprise Information Systems
Initiative
Target
Outcomes
Expansion of
Online Services
In collaboration with the Business
Office, complete Datatel integration
for Online Payments and
Statements.
Completed September 2011.
Students and parents with
access can review statements
and make payments online.
In collaboration with the
Registration Committee develop
recommendations to improve the
efficiency of the registration
process.
In progress. We have
recommended the
elimination of the Reg 100
process and are exploring the
implementation of e-advising
and Wait Lists (Crete).
In collaboration with the Business
Office select and implement an
Online Time and Attendance
solution to improve the efficiency
and accuracy of our processes.
In collaboration with Human
Resources, implement an online
application solution to improve the
responsiveness and efficiency of
our current process.
We have reviewed vendors
and are in the process of
developing a business case
and proposed charter for the
project. Our goal is to start
this project after the first of
the year.
Complete the charter and
business case with an
anticipated start date of late
January 2012.
b. Constituent Relationship Management System
Initiative
Target
Outcomes
Explore a
replacement solution
for existing Online
Admissions Service.
Identify potential replacement
solutions and develop
recommendations for FY 2012.
Begin review with
Admissions staff in
November 2011.
October 2011
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Information Technology Services Annual Report
2. Administrative and Constituent Services (continued)
c. Reporting and Website Content Management
Initiative
Target
Outcomes
Develop and
Implement a Datawarehousing
Strategy
Continue conversion of existing
reports to the new environment.
Advancement Monthly
report and President’s
Report completed.
Update Website
Content
Management System
Upgrade Web Content
Management System (CMS) and
assist OCM with the
implementation of new website
design in October 2011.
The initial design has been
completed and templates
have been applied. Phase 1
and Phase 2 content have
been migrated and are in the
process of being reviewed.
Phase 3 content migration is
in progress and we expect
to roll out the first phase
around the first of the year.
3. Technology Infrastructure and Support
a. Data Center Enhancements
Initiative
Target
Outcomes
Data Center
Enhancements
Develop next generation
architecture.
Develop plan based on
input from the strategic
planning process and
internal/external
assessments. Target May
2012. Final timing
dependent on institutional
strategic planning process.
October 2011
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Information Technology Services Annual Report
b. Network Enhancements
Initiative
Target
Outcomes
Wide Area Network
Complete the implementation of
the Wide Area Network.
Add Grand Island to the
Wide Area Network
following Network
Nebraska’s carrier upgrade
this fall.
Research Network
Campus Bandwidth
October 2011
Provide access to Internet 2.0
resources to all campuses and
implement separate 60 Mbs
Research Network for Sciences.
Increase campus Internet
bandwidth to support existing
demand.
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All campuses now have
access to Internet 2.0 and
we are in the progress of
finalizing the connection to
the Holland Computing
Center at the University of
Nebraska. Anticipated
completion is October 2011.
Increased bandwidth on the
Crete campus from 80Mbs
to 200 Mbs and Lincoln
campus from 40Mbs to
100Mbs. Maintained Grand
Island at 40Mbs.
Information Technology Services Annual Report
3. Technology Infrastructure and Support (continued)
e. Facilities Improvements
Initiative
Target
Outcomes
Smith Hall
Renovation
Install new building switches and
cabling.
Completed September
2011.
Install multi-media equipment in
the lounges.
Completed September
2011.
Install new distribution and floor
(edge) switches.
Completed September
2011.
Install new data, CATV and phone
cabling in rooms and common
areas.
Completed September
2011.
Install iMac’s and printer in First
floor lounge.
Completed September
2011.
Install TV and Audio System in
lower level lounge.
Installed 70” TV and Bose
Surround Sound System.
Install Gaming System in Gaming
Room.
Installed two 60” TVs, PS3,
Wii, Xbox 360 with Kinect
Install card readers and cameras
Completed September
2011.
October 2011
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Information Technology Services Annual Report
3. Technology Infrastructure and Support (continued)
f. Support Center Improvements
Initiative
Target
Outcomes
Complete
Technology Website
update to improve
communication and
self-service.
Update technology website to
expand access to resources and
self-service solutions.
In progress. New site will
roll out with the
implementation of the new
website around the first of
the year.
Reorganize the
Helpdesk
Improve organization and
appearance of the Helpdesk to
provide improved service and
efficiency.
The Helpdesk received a
make over in September
2011 to include new
workstations, shelving,
paint and carpeting.
Increase staffing to
support increasing
demand
Hire new Helpdesk Technician
New technician started July
2011
4. Information Security and Institutional Continuity
a. Manage and Control Access
Initiative
Target
Outcomes
Manage and control
access to Doane
College information
technology
resources.
Complete Blackboard integration
with Datatel.
Completed May 2011.
Business Continuity
Planning
October 2011
Implement a Business Continuity
Plan
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We are in the process of
finalizing the emergency
response plan this fall and
will be working on the
restoration and recovery
sections this year.