After completing an in-depth study of this area, which includes both the DoIT organization as well as the delivery of IT services across campus, Huron consultants have recommended fundamental changes to information technology at UW-Madison in the areas of funding, governance and policy.

John Krogman, Chief Operating Officer of DoIT, indicated that there are no surprises in these findings.  “Through the IT strategic planning process, distributed IT personnel are aware of what’s happening and understand that the status quo is unsustainable,” John said.

This recommendation would move the campus toward a “managed” IT environment, which requires a more proactive approach, a higher degree of collaboration, and service level specification and accountability.

For example, if the central funding allocation received by DoIT was increased, it would support more of the overhead and as a result, reduce charges to campus units for services.  Campus units would then have a greater incentive to buy services from DoIT rather than duplicate these same services within their own units.

In addition, Huron consultants have recommended opportunities for cost savings in seven areas:

• Consolidate and virtualize servers to realize economies of scale.
• Reduce the number of email and calendar systems to eliminate duplications and gain cost savings.
• Sunset Mainframe computing (consider other short term solutions) and figure out a less costly model to host a few remaining applications.
• Outsource student email often offered “free” by well known vendors at higher service levels.
• Consider other options for non-core functions such as printing and computer repair and identify functions that may no longer be relevant or necessary.
• Reduce cost/burden and fee for DoIT billing service (due to central funding) by simplifying the funding model.
• Move to thin-client desktops where feasible because the shelf life of these desktops is longer.

We welcome your comments and questions.