Increasing our investment in IT is a prerequisite for safe, stable operations, streamlining work processes and developing the digital study and work environment.

2016.09.22 | Arnold Boon

Together with the deputy directors and the administrative centre managers, I am working on a plan to channel more resources into the operation and development of the university’s IT solutions in coming years. The money will be spent on three main areas:

 

• Infrastructure: We must invest in improving access to and the stability of our wired and wireless IT networks, so that we are in the best position to access our systems and collaborate smoothly across geographical and organisational boundaries.
• Data centres: We must ensure that the data centres where researchers’ data, the university’s shared drive and administrative systems are stored are in compliance with today’s standards for data security and stability.
• Development projects: We must invest in the development of an up-to-date digital study and work environment. Some of the development projects are closely related to the university’s core research and education activities, such as Blackboard and the teaching and exam administration system. Others focus on increasing the efficiency of administrative work processes, such as Tjek & Go.

To make these improvements, we must put around 20 million additional kroner into the IT area, which includes not only the university’s IT departments, but also the other units which are involved in IT projects.

Because collecting more money from the faculties is not a possibility, we must find these funds within the total budgetary framework for the administration, primarily through a gradual reduction in joint expenses. The task of creating the financial scope for these investments in IT is a continuation of the ongoing implementation of the administration’s budget plan, which will adjust the administration’s costs to the planned 2 per cent annual reduction in revenue.

These investments must also be seen in the light of the fact that demand for IT support has been greater than our capacity for quite some time, among other reasons because the university has exercised restraint in relation to IT investment. This has created challenges in relation to stable operations and put a brake on important development projects.

While will also be necessary to prioritise possible IT projects carefully, we cannot afford employees losing valuable time when systems break down or function poorly. At the same time, we must be able to provide up-to-date IT support to students, researchers and employees as a precondition for a smoothly functioning study and work environment. These investments are a step in the right direction.