2. What’s Going On?
• Management Review of The Texas A&M
University System Offices (MGT Report)
• System Comprehensive IT Assessment (RFP)
• Computer Access/Instructional Technology Fee
Changes
It’s time to decide how we will respond.
3. MGT Report
http://www.tamus.edu/offices/marcomm/publications
• TAMUS does not have a system-wide strategic
vision for IT
– System CIO should be authorized to ensure that
major IT projects, services, and purchases are
coordinated across members
• Revised System Policy 29.01 IT Policy and new 29.01
Regulation on agenda for August BoR Meeting
– Improve the security of System technology
infrastructure
• System Internal Audit expressed concerns about IT process
and control weakness in a white paper to Chancellor
• IT Security is Phase 1 of System Comprehensive IT
Assessment RFP
4. MGT Report (cont)
• Proposed 20,000 sq. ft. data center in TAMU’s strategic
plan should be removed pending:
– University-wide assessment of data center consolidation and
virtualization should be conducted. New data center may not be
necessary.
• TAMUS SO is not aggressively pursuing opportunities to
reduce cost. TAMUS IT is decentralized among
members & at TAMU
– TAMUS and TAMU should consolidate applications & services in
a shared environment: RFP to assess governance and potential
for data center consolidation
• Comprehensive IT Assessment includes governance in phase 2 and
Banner Student consolidation in phase 4
– Security assessment of network infrastructure
• IT Security Assessment in Phase 1 of Comprehensive IT Assessment
– Recommends RFP to assess potential and plan for data center
and server consolidation at TAMU done in three phases
5. MGT (cont)
• Reduce administrative overhead in SO Business
Computing Services
– RIF two positions
– Eliminate four vacant positions
• TAMUS’ financial management systems do not meet its
needs, and maintaining multiple systems does not
comply with BoR directives
– Evaluate the benefits and costs of rewriting BPP and FAMIS to
different architectural infrastructures vs. replacing current system
• BCS Strategic Plan of 2011 includes evaluating these options
• Phase 4 of RFP includes question about FAMIS upgrade or rewrite
• Many key System Internal Audit staff interviewed believe
IT Security is the most important issue facing the System
6. Key takeaways MGT
• MGT recommends more centralized and
coordinated approach to IT across the System.
– Save Money
– Enhance Security
• We have the people and equipment needed to
provide IT services to the University and
System.
• The A&M’s System’s BPP, FAMIS, ESI’s many
applications, Data Warehouse, MAESTRO, and
TTVN Network are already providing System-
wide quality and cost effective services
7. RFP IT Assessment
http://esbd.cpa.state.tx.us/bid_show.cfm?bidid=100948
• Comprehensive IT assessment will be System-
wide
– Seeking a vendor with an established history of
providing high quality and cost effective IT strategic
services to higher education university systems.
– Evaluation based on demonstrated: (1) Competence,
(2) Knowledge, (3) Qualifications, and (4) Cost
• Proposals had to be received yesterday (July 11)
• Seven phase project with initial term of one-year
with potential one-year extension
8. RFP IT Assessment Phases
• Phase 1 – IT Security
• Phase 2 – IT governance
• Phase 3 – IT Network & Infrastructure
• Phase 4 – Applications Management
• Phase 5 – IT Operations
• Phase 6 – IT Demand and Project Management
• Phase 7 – IT Staffing and Support
9. Key takeaways RFP
• IT leadership is already preparing for the
assessment.
• We need to convince the consultants we are
fully capable of handling the IT needs of the
university and/or System.
• Perform at your BEST.
10. Computer Access/Instruction
Technology Fee Changes
• Many (13) mandatory student fees will be eliminated for
FY13 and replaced with a new fee
• Goal is to create the potential for more flexible use of
fees to meet TAMU’s greatest needs
• The CA/IT Fee is one of the 13 fees affected
• For FY13, TAMU IT will receive our FY12 funding plus
FY13 CA/IT increase, less funding for 700 student
increase in FY11
• In future years, there will likely be a university-wide
council to make recommendations modeled on the CBE
with sub-councils
– Recommendations will involve most TAMU funding, not just the
fees
11. Key takeaways CA/IT Fee
• We provide critical services to the campus
• Historically, we have been financially sound and
do a good job of accounting for money spent
• Student and employee surveys show they are
satisfied with our services
• The new fee should provide us some more
flexibility
12. What next?
• We are well positioned for this climate.
– We provide excellent services to Texas A&M.
• We must be unified and confident.
– Increases credibility
– Builds our reputation
13. Our goal
“We strive to be Texas A&M’s trusted IT leaders
who provide reliable and accessible services to
elevate and enhance Texas A&M’s standing in the
state, nation and world.”
