• Installing a Nortel Networks "Succession" Voice over IP (VoIP) capability in the Fairfax PBX. The first implementation of this technology is planned for the CIT building.
• Completing the Commerce I and II network upgrades, including the addition of Verizon's new Transparent LAN Service to increase bandwidth to Commerce I and II.
• Completing the competitive evaluation of security gateway devices for use with wireless LAN and public DHCP connections. Developing and implementing the pilot plan to provide secured wired DHCP and wireless LAN access in Innovation Hall, Liberty Square, and the Johnson Center.
• Developing network upgrade plan for Arlington campus.
• Designing, implementing, and managing the core MESA network equipment, working closely with both LAN and Enterprise Servers groups to ensure all customer requirements are met.
• Develop an action plan to improve procedures and accountability in areas needing improvement as identified by the NET internal audit.
• Developing a Telecom Master Plan.

Provide wider and more visible support to research computing by:

• Working with research and academic faculty to raise their awareness of the University's advanced networking infrastructure, encouraging and supporting the use of leading-edge applications as a means to build Mason's reputation as a technology-enabled institution.
• Participating in state, regional, and national advanced networking initiatives such as Internet2 and National Lambda Rail, and seeking out partnerships with local industries and academic groups that will strengthen our technology resources and increase our benefit to the Northern Virginia region.
• Working closely with the research faculty moving into Research I to ensure their telecommunication needs are considered and working closely with the Provost's Office and Facilities Planning to ensure that a voice and data infrastructure is installed in Research I that meets the needs of the faculty and staff in the building. Additionally, working with the Provost's Office to prepare a support plan for the supercomputer planned for the building.

Improve the security and performance of the enterprise servers by:

• Completing the 'mail01' - 'portal' server consolidation. This server consolidation will place a more capable server at the front end of all messaging and will significantly enhance the performance of the email system.
• Expanding the implementation of 'SiteScope' and refining the monitoring techniques in order to proactively monitor and analyze performance problems, bottlenecks, or subsystem failures on mission critical enterprise servers.
• Completing a technical review of the email virus scanning system and the Spam control systems and recommend changes that will enhance security and performance.
• Consolidating servers where appropriate and cost effective while maintaining systems security and optimal performance. Inviting an outside consultant to review the server consolidation planning efforts and provide recommendations on next generation data center management systems and server configuration.
• Completing the planning for the proposed disaster recovery site in the Prince William IIIA building including refining the concept of operation, developing the disaster recovery system requirements, and acquiring equipment as funding permits.

Provide effective technical support for SCT Banner by:

• Implementing Student and Financial Aid modules for Fall 2004 semester by:
  • Managing the Banner application platform by applying SCT Banner and Oracle upgrades and patches, and monitoring database procedures for backup, recovery, and performance tuning, to ensure maximum availability of systems.
  • Customizing of self-service modules for faculty, advisors, students and applicants to meet their business needs, and conducting stress testing of these functions to ensure a successful roll-out of web-based registration, faculty grading and other resource intensive activities.
  • Installing and supporting third party products (e.g. Touchnet, fsaAtlas) to provide additional functionality to Banner.
  • Creating and integrating Banner Admissions, Financial Aid and Student datamarts, and adding these to SISDARS, a copy of the legacy system, to support back-office and end-user reporting.
  • Customizing Banner standard reports for electronic distribution through e-print.
  • Developing extracts and reports for federal and state agencies, private vendors, as well as the creation and support of extracts for University decentralized business systems that share data with Banner.
  • Working collaboratively with Student Service units and the ITU to ensure Patriot Project success.
• Continuing production support of SCT Banner Finance and Human Resources modules by:
  • Supporting the end-users with the configuration of Banner Electronic Approvals to replace existing workflow applications.
  • Creating additional self-service and standard reports to better support Grants Management.
  • Enhancing Finance and Human Resource datamarts to support back-office and end-user reporting; integrate with student datamarts for University-wide use.
• Participating with SCT's Large School Consortium to influence future direction of SCT Banner, the Educause Decision Support Consortium to share data warehouse initiatives with other schools, and Virginia's Technical Directors' Group to share technical resources within the state.

Establish metrics in the division that measure unit effectiveness and the performance of the central systems and the network. Compile and publish these metrics as appropriate.

Develop a feedback mechanism to measure customer satisfaction with the quality and timeliness of division support.

Develop procedures and policies for using the Change Management System that is being developed by the Technology Coordination Team.

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