July 5th, 2021
The university will improve IT services to better support teaching, research and operations with the appointment of an external digital partner that will work hand-in-hand with Digital and Technology Services.
Over the past three years the Digital and Technology Services department has reviewed the way in which it delivers IT services to the university. The resulting proposals were outlined in the Digital Strategic Delivery Plan that was launched earlier this month.
One of the key priorities is for the department to work with a digital partner to support the refresh of our foundational IT services. This will allow the university to reduce its operational and security risk through replacing ageing, on-premises, legacy technology infrastructure with modern, secure, scalable and extendable platforms. In addition, there is a need to modernise and simplify our complex application portfolio, retiring unused applications and consolidating or replacing the remainder with lower maintenance alternatives.
The partner will also support Digital and Technology Services in updating the IT operating model to enable it to enhance teaching, learning and research and improve student experience.
David Hill, Chief Digital Officer, highlights: “The refresh will focus on developing a digital infrastructure fit for the future and harnessing sector-leading technologies and digital skills. We will work with a digital partner to improve IT services for the university community, reduce our operational and security risk, and reduce the complexity that currently exists.
“ We have started the procurement process for the partner, and Digital and Technology Services colleagues are actively encouraged to help shape our future way of working.
“A key criterion for selecting an external digital partner would be not only to assure expert knowledge and delivery, but also to ensure they fully align to the university’s values, culture and ways of working.”
The digital partner is expected to be appointed towards the end of the year and joint planning work will commence in early 2022 to support a smooth, phased transition to the new way foundational IT services will be delivered.
Further updates will follow as the procurement process continues. If you have any questions regarding the Foundational IT Services Refresh project, please email the DTS communications team.
Tags: Chief Digital Officer, digital, Digital and Technology Services, digital technologies, Foundational IT Services Refresh, IT Services, IT Services Refresh project
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