Name of Project: Technology Infrastructure
Name of Initiative: Initiative Four: Systematic Development of Agency Infrastructure
Team members: The entire technology team serves on one or more sub-committees related to the North Star Technology Action Plans, and three PLLC staff members also participate on the Technology Staff Development committee.
Team members include Sherise Ahlers, Sara Becker, Dave Booth, Sarah Brown, Joshua Burke, Judy Cleveland, Truong Dao, Tuan Dao, Arletta Dawson, Barb Dietrich, Monte Heeren, Rod Howell, Jim Lagnese, Thanh Le, Francis Musignac, Mike Permann, Jane Quanbeck, Russ Richards, Julie Schendel, Dough Schuster, Julie Sypersma, Lori Thelen, Mien Tran, Maureen Whited.
Give the gist of what your project is about including the long-term goal.
The Technology Infrastructure project is intended to develop and maintain the technology infrastructure to support the work of Heartland staff and the operation of the Agency.
There are six major focus areas in the Technology Infrastructure project: 1) Technology Infrastructure, which includes networks, servers, security, disaster recovery and hardware, 2) Business Practices, which includes policies, procedures and systems integration, 3) Technology Staff Development, 4) Document Management, Retention and Retrieval, 5) Web site Redesign and 6) Telecommunications.
What are the things that your team has been working on?
The tech team has focused on continuously improving the infrastructure and technology tools to help staff and organizational systems perform more efficiently and effectively.
1) Technology Infrastructure: We are devising plans to rework our entire network to provide improved bandwidth and better support for Internet access and phone systems. Plans are underway to consolidate and virtualize many of our server-based applications in order to reduce energy costs and space requirements. A disaster recovery plan is under development, which will guide Heartland management and technical staff in the recovery of telecommunication, computing and network services if a disaster causes severe interruption or cessation of services. We are updating and expanding the technology available for checkout in each branch office and the Johnston central equipment pool. We are installing sound systems and projection equipment in conference rooms that are heavily used to better support staff and reduce the time spent reserving, setting up and returning equipment. Computer replacement, software updates and staff training are on-track with a four-year replacement cycle.
2) Business Practices: Work has begun on development of policies and procedures for a variety of technology systems. We are continuing to develop applications to improve business operations such as leave online, expense online, applicant online, employee online, timecard online and many more that are in process.
3) Technology Staff Development: Basic technology competencies have been identified and a plan developed for piloting an online assessment with several work groups. Next steps include identifying work group-specific competencies and screening tools for new hires.
4) Document Management, Retention and Retrieval: We have planned a situation analysis with broad staff representation in January to help determine priorities for expansion and development of our document management system.
5) Web site Redesign: We are working on a complete redesign of Heartland’s Web site in order to improve searchability, balance and currency.
6) Telecommunications: We are identifying specific technology solutions and how or when each is best utilized. A wide variety of phone conferencing, video conferencing and Web delivery technologies are available such as iChat, Polycom, XMeeting, ICN, Webinar, Video Streaming, Flash and QuickTime video. Each has certain strengths and weaknesses that will dictate appropriate use.
What has your team accomplished?
• Anti-static mats, a backup generator and a backup cooling system installed in the Johnston server room.
• IFAS Dashboard provides staff with Intranet access, which includes a Technology Information Archive and a central archive of agency forms and information.
• Leave Online, Expense Online, Applicant Online and Calendar Online.
• Security measures for data transmission and Web applications have been implemented.
• PeopleBox database is now available with Web access, e-mail, labels and auto-update from IFAS.
• Temporary audio/video production facility.
• Local hosting of unitedstreaming video content.
• Identification and purchase of our new Kerio e-mail server/application with calendaring capability.
• Phone system enterprise manager and VoIP phone systems implemented in all offices.
• A closed wireless network has been created for security purposes.
• Document management system implemented in Human Resources and Business Office, with implementation soon to begin in Professional Development.
• Over 100 cell cards provided for staff.
• Solutions found for network access issues, printing and e-mail issues in many area schools.
• Heartland logo flash drives provided for all staff.
• High quality photos of all staff members and an automated badge process.
• Successful filing of E-Rate resulting in funding in the amount of $304,960.65.
• Tech information provided in nearly every Connection newsletter.
• Created “Web Receptionist” concept for responding to questions from Web site visitors.
Why are these important to the Agency’s goal of increasing student achievement?
By improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our staff, we are providing indirect but critical support for the task of increasing student achievement. Staff will communicate better, learn more, work more efficiently and be able to base decisions on data and information.
What can staff expect in the future?
The technology team will continue to improve and refine the technology tools and supports provided for our staff and will continue to develop more integrated and efficient technology systems.
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