ECE (Enhanced Computing Environment) Programme
The Enhanced Computing Environment (ECE) programme aims to improve the cost effectiveness, efficiency and reliability of the desktop IT services provided to the three central departments of the University.
The goal of the ECE programme is: to improve the quality and efficiency of desktop IT provision for the staff of the three central departments (Bodleian Library, UAS and OUCS), by integrating existing services and providing a managed desktop service.
The ECE programme is managed and controlled by a Programme Board, on which senior management of the three departments are represented. The Programme Board is supported by a Consultative Group made up of staff from the three departments.
- replacement of ageing personal computers (PCs) plus move to replacement cycle
- upgrade of UAS server infrastructure
- upgrade of UAS desktop computers from Windows 2000 to Windows XP
- delivery of a Citrix remote access service (BSP collaboration)
- upgrade of UAS desktop computers from Office 2000 to Office 2007 (BSP collaboration)
- delivery of Altiris desktop management infrastructure
- delivery of an Altiris help desk
- development of a Service Level Definition (SLD)
- delivery of Purchasing and Change Management procedures
- migration of Bodleian Library staff to Exchange 2003
- development of an Apple managed desktop service for OUCS
- creation of a high availability, dual site server and data storage infrastructure
- creation of a wireless service for Bodleian Libraries
- implementation of an identity management system for automatic provision and de-provision of computer user accounts
The Project Board agreed that the ECE should be split into distinct projects in order to deliver two new services. The ECE Project Board has now been renamed to the ECE Programme Board. The infrastructure service would deliver enterprise level server and data storage systems and consolidate existing Novell and Microsoft user directory systems. The managed desktop service would provide a common desktop computing system across the three central departments with associated Altiris desktop management tools. A list of ECE projects and associated services is given below.
- Infrastructure Service
- Virtual Infrastructure project - implement an enterprise level server infrastructure with dual site redundancy and mirrored data storage in collaboration with BSP and NSMS - completed
- Directory integration project - integrate the existing user account and data access systems for the three central departments by automating user provisioning and creating an identity vault - rolled out in OUCS and Bodleian Libraries
- Directory migration project - migrate away from mixed directory services to a single MS Active Directory for the management of desktop computers - this work is now being delivered as the CONNECT project
- Managed Desktop Service - delivery/enhancement of seven services for PC lifecycle management
The ECE Programme Board has agreed some criteria against which the success of the project can be measured. The success criteria are:
- Improved quality of service leading to increased reliability and increased responsiveness for IT services and support
- Better value for money for IT services compared to the cost of improving the three central departments independently
- Consolidation and standardisation of systems in such a way as to make further improvements practical and feasible
- Commercial standards of service provision, including Service Level Agreements (SLA), that allow total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis and charging for services
The latest news from the programme is available from the Programme Board pages and the Consultative Group pages. The newsfeed page lists project announcements and the dates of important meetings.
- ECE Project Initiation Document (June 2007)
- Draft ECE Communication Plan (June 2006): The draft Communication Plan for the ECE project
- Project Board Presentation (May 2006): Presentation given to Project Board on 12/05/2006
- ECE Business Case (May 2006): gives the business case/justification for the ECE Project.
- ECE Project Brief (Mar 2006): gives a high level overview for the ECE Project.
- ECE Project Approach (Mar 2006): a description of the overall strategy for delivering the ECE Project.
- ECE Initiation Plan (Mar 2006): a description of the steps involved in the 'Initiating a Project' (IP) phase of the ECE Project.
- ECE Programme Board Terms of Reference. (Updated Jan 2008): the terms of reference for the ECE Programme Board.
- ECE Consultative Group Terms of Reference. (Updated Jan 2008)): the terms of reference for the ECE Consultative Group.
- Current Operational Standards (Nov 2005): documents the services to be provided to the three departments during the development of the ECE.
- Plan of Work (Oct 2005): outlines the work to be undertaken by the University's external consultant under contract during MT'05.
- Invitation to Tender (Sept 2005): invites proposals for a consultancy exercise to be undertaken during MT'05
- Services Audit (July 2005): indicates the range of services currently provided within the ICT Support Team
- Initial briefing document (May 2005): provides background concerning the rationale for establishing the ICT Support Team.