Supporting UChicago’s Global Presence

CSG Fall Workshop 2012

Centers, not campuses– Support a variety of activities

• Classes in study abroad programs

• Exec MBA Program• Visiting faculty and students

conducting research• Recruiting (students and faculty)• Conferences and meetings• Alumni activities

Current Locations– Beijing (University)– Paris (College)– London (Booth)– Singapore (Booth)

India in planning (University)

Support Strategies– On-site IT Liaison– Local IT vendors as partners– Manage services from the core

when:• University policy is important• Scale is an advantage• Specialized expertise is required• Real-time response not required

– Provide services locally where that makes more sense

• Local knowledge is needed• Scale is an impediment• On-hand presence is required• Immediate response is needed

Core Services– Network design and procurement– IdM– Authn/z– Network security logging– Network availability monitoring– Computer imaging and backup– Applications– Tier 2 support

Local Services– Desktop support– Land-line and cellular telephony– Desktop/server procurement– Local server administration (e.g.

print servers, local storage)– Building access/security controls

On-site IT Liaison Role– Jack of all trades– Employee of the Center, dotted

line to campus – Procurement, preparation,

deployment, and maintenance of local devices

– Tier 1 support for devices, software, and applications

– Minor maintenance for network equipment – hands on the ground for Tier 2

– Interface with local service providers

– Interface with IT Services and divisional IT staff

– Additional duties as needed (e.g. web content authoring, AV duty, photography/videography)

Local providers– Separate providers for different

purposes: • telecom • national R&E network• systems integration

Issues & Challenges– Time differences!– Local IT liaison skill set – jack of

all trades vs. deep knowledge– Software licensing for center

employees– Coordinating networking with

local providers and institutions– Knowing when standard campus

models will work or when a new approach is needed