itsnews As part of the Enabling Technology work, the provision of IT support across the University is being merged to create a new central IT function providing support across a range of systems and services to all parts of the University.The new service will be organised into three separate areas:
- Business Engagement and Transformation
- Application Development
- Service Desk and Infrastructure Management
A Specialist User Support team will provide specialist services to colleagues for a wide range of services, from desktop support to specialist IT provision of specialist technology solutions. This team will ensure that there is flexibility and cover over busy periods, and a reduction in single points of knowledge.
To ensure that there is increased engagement with Schools and Services, a new team of IT Business Partners has been created and by building solid working relationships they will ensure that the views and interests of IT customers are represented and that there are clear lines of reporting and escalation. This team has already been appointed and they are starting to introduce themselves to Schools and Services.
Other areas worth noting, are the newly formed Research Server and Data Management team who will be providing specialist services to the research community, such as data storage and data management advice. The Specialist Teaching and Research Support team (STaRS) will provide bespoke services, such as programming advice to researchers and students.
While these new services are being set up, current centralised services will continue to be provided. Blackboard and other Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) services will be provided by the new TEL and AV team, and they will help to develop new TEL services in line with the strategy developments such as learning capture.
Additional information about the Enabling Technology programme as a whole along with more detailed information about the reorganisation can be found at:
http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/its/ITReviewandOrganisationDesign/its-it-review.aspx