Improved Service and Cost Reduction

The University is completing a strategic plan following on the completion of unit level plans last year.  Although still in draft form, two of its goals that I want to focus on today relate to using technology to expand access and opportunities, and controlling costs and generating additional efficiencies.

ITS is in a unique position to propose recommendations for both.  Our reach and services apply to all parts of the University.  Improving access and efficiencies through new or service consolidation can reduce costs for the University as a whole or allow other resource savings at local levels which can be invested locally.

Developing recommendations requires a bottom up approach, and so I'm asking for your comments and ideas on what we should do.  What services can be stopped by offering alternative ways to provide the same capability at lowered costs?  Where can we reduce power/cooling consumption by eliminating equipment or using more efficient equipment? How do we provide more staff time locally by offering an equivalent central service?

I'll be back over the next few weeks asking similar questions about other goals in this Plan, but for now, look forward to your views on these two.