ICT Programme Board – 27 February 2008
Present:
Alison Allden (AA) – Chair, Graeme Cappi (GC), Mark Cox (MC), Andrew
Dixon (AD), Sandy Kemlo (SK), Julian Partridge (JP), Tim Phillips (TCP), Paul
Valdes (PV), Jane Williams (JW)
Apologies:
Paula Coonerty (PC), Lesly Huxley (LH), John Richards (JR)
Alison introduced Paul Valdes to the group.
1. Minutes
Two corrections: Valdes and Parviz.
2. Matters Arising
Service Catalogue
The URL for the IS Service Catalogue is attached.
Blackboard
Now have money for consultancy and looking at the possibility of having a
hosted solution.
Risk Management – Internal Audit
Information Security/Software Licensing highlighted following the audit. Tim
will pick up with Alan Blackman (Software Licensing) and Richard Hopkins
(Information Security) and action.
Information Security (Lost disks)
Alison raised the issue of memory/data encryption. It is a big issue at the
moment and the University must review policies.
Tim reported that he had attended an Information Security meeting with
Richard Hopkins on 26 February and this issue had been discussed.
Tim and Richard will work on communication to HODs and a reminder will be
sent to SITS database users.
Action: TCP
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It would be useful if everyone reviewed the Information Security Policy online
and make colleagues aware of it.
ATTACH LINK HERE!!!
Alison will contact the Secretary’s Office regarding DPA and if there was any
specific information or news then she will arrange to speak to Tim and
Richard Hopkins.
Action: AA
3. ICT Progress Reports on Projects
As John had sent his apologies for the meeting, Tim stepped in and discussed
the report.
Machine Rooms
The business case has now been approved and the next step is to get
consultants and carry out an options appraisal. Once the options appraisal is
complete a second business case will be submitted for further funding.
Network

A service has started for short term visitors which provides visitors with
access to Web, email and the Internet at a charge of £3.

Link to UWE – we are looking to put equipment up there and vice
versa.

ResNet – The team are trialling a laptop clinic and it is proving to be
very popular.
On 29 February ResNet celebrated it’s 10th birthday. ResNet has been
a resounding success since it was first established with a small pilot at
Hiatt Baker.
Servers – Central File Store
Unfortunately after it went live there were some problems. There was an
upgrade from OnStor but it broke. Staff worked extremely hard to rebuild the
service and this is now working.
Feedback from Group:
 The problems that users have experienced have meant that confidence
has been lost.
 Feedback thanks to all the staff that were involved for all their hard
work.
There is question about project management – should we have gone
with OnStor?
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Tim and John with write a document entitled “What we have learnt from this”
and will report back in the next meeting. Catherine to add to next agenda.
Action: TCP, JR and CS
HPC – Paul Valdes reported:
Blue Crystal is working well. Big machine from IBM is due to arrive in March
and we are still on target for 1 May opening.
Storage – UOB is a pioneer when it comes to storage. Paul reported that it
was exciting to be involved.
Feedback from the group
 Optical Mark Reader – Is is opened to research/survey applications?
TCP and CS to check with Steve Condliffe.
Action: TCP and CS

Central Filestore – Julian reported that he need preparation time to
transfer to central filestore. Will it definitely be in March? Get Keir to
check.

Machine Room – Julian reported that Biological and Maths building are
being re-designed. Tim to check with Henryk and make sure he is
aware of this.
Action: TCP
Alison was interested to know if there are machine room issues across
the University. It is included in the business case to provide space for
departments.
4. IT Strategy Review
Tim reported that the Strategy is more or less complete. He and John are
now concentrating on integration at three levels:
1. Process
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Data
Tim is involved with the UKRDS Project Management Board and has agreed
for UOB to be involved in a case study for them.
Following the meeting with the ISSC in January they asked Tim to produce a
priorities list. Tim tabled the priorities list and explained it to the group.
Priority 1 – e-Learning
John Davis (Academic Director of E-Learning) has had one business case
agreed on Timetabling.
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Jane asked if e-Assessment could be added to list as it is urgently need. Tim
will action.
Action: TCP
Priority 2 – Research
Sandy’s team are managing research projects.
More significant business cases needed. Tim to follow up with David Langley.
Action: TCP
Priority 3 – Informs – Purchasing
Full economic costing. In progress. Business case ongoing.
Priority 4 – Training
Tim is involved in the IT Career Pathway Working Group.
Priority 6 – University Web
Barry Taylor and Malcolm Anderson are looking at presentation research on
the Web.
Priority 8 – Infrastructure
Ongoing £1.1 million for back end e.g. network, data storage etc.
Priority 9 – IT Governance
Tim is heavily involved with this.
Priority 10 – Environment
We are surrounded by power hungry PCs, how long can this continue?
Paul reported that computer design (clusters) is moving towards more
environmentally friendly machines.
Feedback from the Group:
 Lacking in Web Seminars
 ITIL heading, desktop management needs to be included.
 ITSS Forum have been involved. During the last meeting they
discussed projects that they could be involved with.
 Asking academics that have experience in environmental issues, they
would be ideal stakeholders for Priority 10. Karen Gallagher in the
Environment Unit is a good contact.
Mark asked what happens next with the IT Strategy. Tim explained that it has
been approved by ISSC, it then has to go through an approval process
involving UPARC, Senate House etc.
Tim and John are focusing on the development plan and looking at priorities.
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The Strategy will be approved by the end of this academic year and the
Development Plan will be approved later this year, early next year.
4. Any other business
Next meeting agenda: Look back at resources
Planning for next year/spending review
Review Richard Hopkins’ paper on Admin Rights
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