Current Projects

Many computers at the University of Connecticut contain sensitive or confidential data, the storing of which involves risk that sensitive information will be compromised as the result of unauthorized access, theft, or loss of a computer. Each year in the United States hundreds of incidents occur at higher education institutions which involve the loss or theft of computers used to access or store sensitive data.

The University of Connecticut has had its own incidents involving lost and stolen equipment and the risk is present that additional equipment may be lost or stolen. The bottom line cost of such incidents must be taken into consideration, as well as the damage to the University’s reputation. It is estimated that the cost of data lost to an institution like UConn is $197.00 per exposed record. The cost to the University’s reputation is difficult to measure, but certainly costly. The University must protect its data; data encryption provides protection.

The goal of the University Encryption of University Data on Laptops and Desktops Project is to install Full Disk Encryption (FDE) products for Windows and Macintosh on laptops and desktops at all University of Connecticut campuses. The project includes staff from the UITS Security Policy and Quality Assurance, and Customer Support and Relations. The rollout of the encryption product to university departments is expected to begin in January 2009.

UITS is currently running an Exchange 2003 infrastructure. In order to keep current with latest technologies UITS will be upgrading to Exchange 2007.

• An improved Outlook Web Access interface.
• Improved support for mobile devices.
• Moving to a higher end server infrastructure.

The users will be migrated to the new system with minimal downtime. Users mailboxes will be moved during the night, on an individual basis. Clients will receive new configurations as to where mail is located automatically, no change is required on the users side.

This project is an effort to enhance our human resources data management and system functionality as well as update the technology upon which our human resource system is based. Using the Oracle-Peoplesoft Human Resource system as a foundation, this system provides a modern platform including database management technology, web-based access, combined with some of the best functionality in the industry. This effort will replace the existing and aging Genesys system, which no longer enjoys vendor support, and will operate on a more modern system platform. This significant enhancement will enable us to take advantage of web-based solutions as well as align the technology and technical skills required to that of the Student Administration system, another major enterprise system. The commonality among these major applications will permit the highest degree of integration that is consistent with our operations, similar technology and computer platforms and technical staff skill sets.

The Human Resources department as well as departments throughout the University will see improvements to recruiting and search capabilities, payroll authorization process, adjunct hire process, time reporting, annual mass salary increase processes for various bargaining units and length of service calculations.

The project is to be accomplished in two major phases. The first is designed to get us to the new solution maintaining our existing functionality while benefiting from new improvements provided by the new system. During this phase we will also be implementing a new reporting solution using data warehouse technology. This reporting and data warehousing technology will also align with that used by our Student Administration system. This major milestone in this phase of the effort is scheduled to be accomplished during February, 2008 during which time the new system will be placed in operation. This phase will continue through June, 2008.

A follow on phase will begin to deploy new functionalityavailable in the new system. Although the scope and specifics of this phase have yet to be specified, the areas of focus for this are expected to be for improvements in absence management and employee self service.

Core-CT will continue to be the source for payroll information however interfaces between the Core-CT system the UConn HCM system will be continued and enhanced.

This project involves staff from UITS, Human Resource and Payroll as well as participants from across the University including OIR, Financial Aid, Financial Affairs and others.

The IT Steering Committee and the IT Strategic Planning Committee will complete a revision of the current IT Strategic Plan for the University. The current UConn IT Strategic was adopted in 2006 and should be examined to ensure that it is still current in terms of meeting the University’s needs. It is also necessary to ensure that it still directly supports the nearly completed UConn Academic Plan.

The Network Master Plan (NMP) for the university was drafted and approved in the Spring of 2004. The purpose of the plan was to perform a campus-wide equipment, facilities and wiring upgrade in order to create, enhance, and maintain, the university technology network infrastructure. The plan outlined the overall status and configuration of the current network system, identified the university’s projected needs with respect to network technology, and strategies on how to meet those needs, the cost, milestones, and timelines for the project, and recommended maintenance and replacement programs. Network equipment upgrades have occurred in several University buildings over the past 4 years. The project is scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2012.

The University of Connecticut Information Technology Services (UITS) will be engaging an outside independent organization to evaluate, through a network vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, the level of security of the University’s IT resources that reside within the UITS Server Farm from external attack. It is expected that such an initiative will provide information to UITS concerning the effectiveness of existing security efforts and potentially build the case for future security efforts.

The goal of the Pinnacle Communications Management System (CMS) project is to migrate from our present version to the newest release of Version 6 (V6.) The current V4 is functioning on unsupported hardware and software platforms. The data in Pinnacle is extremely critical; therefore data back-ups, hardware redundancy and system failover procedures are necessary.

• A comprehensive and centralized database of voice, video and data communications information into one easily accessible application,
• Improve and streamline workflow processes,
• Shorten service order request cycles,
• Allow web access for administrative and end-user access,
• Provide E-billing for online customer statement review,
• Enhance inventory control and asset management,
• Improve work order and trouble ticket workflow,
• Increase flexibility of call rating routines,
• Improve ad hoc reporting capabilities.

The effort will focus on the data modeling/process. System set up, data clean up, extracting data, testing imports and implementing V6 are deliverables. The project includes staff from UITS Network Engineering and Telecommunications, Server Support, and Customer Business Applications.

The equipment residing in the “Head end” today is over 10 years old. It does not have the capability to transport “High definition” or “Digital” signals. There will be an FCC mandated industry change in February 2009 requiring all broadcast television stations to convert the signal they send into a digital format. Also, on June 30th, 2009 the current contract with the supplier of 90% of the University programming will expire. The other 10% of the programming is supplied via separate contracts with satellite providers. The satellite programming contracts also expire at the end of June 2009. This project will be undertaken to work on the issues noted above as well as address some additional ones. The first is to renew or obtain a new source for programming. This will combine both our current contracts that are in existence today. These are the standard programming and the satellite programming options. The second will be to replace the existing distribution system. The newer system needs to support “High Definition”, “Digital” programming and must be able to port over to the IP network in the future. Also the newer hardware, based upon today’s standards, should take up 50% less rack/floor space and have a 50% less load on both the HVAC and Electrical systems.

There are compelling needs to apply automation to an almost infinite number of business processes throughout the university. In recognition that such needs cannot be met with large scale systems or extended development projects, a solution is needed for a more targeted approach to solving, or at least improving, key business processes.

UITS has initiated a program to examine the tools and technology available to develop such solutions.

In this regard, we have defined workflow as the automation of a business process, during which documents (such as information, issues, tasks, work orders, purchase orders, authorization requests etc.) are passed from one person to another for approval action, according to a set of rules defined by a workflow scheme.

Workflow technology is the information technology toolset that is used to automate workflow processes.

The expectation for workflow solutions is that they can be developed as purpose specific solutions to forms-based business processes, and can be developed on a common platform relatively rapidly.

The outcomes of this initiative are expected to be the following:

• Identification and development of a suitable technical infrastructure consistent with UITS technology directions.
• Developing workflow applications foundations, specifically an approvals authorization facility.
• Development or demonstration and pilot applications.
• Staff knowledge acquisition on workflow tools, uses, approaches and technical development methodology.
• Identification of standards, knowledge requirements and staffing for continued workflow applications development.

This program is not specifically funded as a university technology initiative and is being accomplished on an as-staff-is-available basis. For the upcoming year, FY/2007-08 we expect to be able to accomplish several of the goals identified including a pilot application.