About Us

IST provides leadership, expertise and services in information technology to support the endeavours of the scholars, researchers and administrators of the University of Manitoba.

From data networking and telecommunications through educational support services, academic, and administrative computing, IST strives to provide the best possible systems and solutions to the University community. These services are provided through several departments within IST:
 

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Bannatyne Information Technology Group

BITG provides support to the academic and administrative community at the University's Bannatyne Campus.  The teaching, research, administrative and community service needs are met by the provision of a wide range of support and services from the varied units, Computing and Networking Services, Imaging Services, Classroom Technology and Media Production.

These services include:

• end user support for on-campus and home computing problems
• wireless, laptop and internet access
• the campus network infrastructure
• schedule and distribute audio-visual equipment and media
• design classroom technology throughout the Bannatyne Campus
• create video programs for instructional purposes
• webcasting of rounds, special events, Convocation
• provide and operate complex equipment for special events and conferences
• distribution of medical rounds programming to St. Boniface Hospital and remote locations in partnership with MB TeleHealth
• photography, digital scanning, consulting, and photo restoration, large format poster printing and laminating.

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Computer and Network Services
 
Computer is responsible for the development, enhancement, maintenance and production support of the IT architecture for the University of Manitoba (with the exception of those areas supported by the Bannatyne Information Technologies Group).  This includes data centre operations, the management of the voice and data cable plant and networks, server and operating systems, including file and print sharing solutions, data storage and integration software and solutions.
Included in the above are: 

• Internet connectivity via local and wide area networks, include wireless acces and configurations
• The campus network infrastructure
• Voice communication infrastructure
• Unix, Windows and Novell login servers that provide applications and file storage for students and staff.
• Support for IT infrastructure applications such as Identity Management, Email and Calendar.
• Email services with spam-filtering 
• Back up services.
• High performance research computing 
• Low-cost operating system maintenance for users with Unix systems
• Computer and network security measures including firewalls and anti-virus protection.
• Support for integration software and development languages.
• Support of the University’s web architecture.
• Second level support for computing problems on-campus and connecting from home.

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Enterprise Systems

Enterprise Systems is responsible for the development, enhancement, maintenance and production support activities for the applications systems used by the administrative offices of the University. Our major systems include Human Resources, Finance, Student, Research, Advancement and Library Administration. We also support the JUMP portal, learning software, and content management software.

In support of these systems, the department:

• develops, maintains and supports the applications, interfaces, reports and sub-systems.
• installs, configures, maintains and monitors database management systems.
• installs, configures, maintains and monitors development and support software.

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IST Client Services
 
IST Client Services works in partnership with the University's faculty, students, and staff to maximize the value of information technology by providing access to services in a “one stop shop” environment.  The unit’s service is based in understanding the work and goals of the U of M community and in providing first class service and access to IST services in order to facilitate those  goals and objectives.

The unit is comprised of three divisions:

• Help & Solutions Centre
   
• Audio Visual and Classroom Technology
   
• Training Centre, Learning Management & Portal Support

The delivery model for the service is based upon:

• Supporting - improving the flow of information within IST and the U of M community, increasing the visibility and benefits of IST services and in creating the identity of IST as an effective service organization.
   
• Provisioning - providing the technology expertise and equipment to address the teaching and support needs of the university community and external clients on campus
   
• Collaboration - working with IT users and other IT departments on campus to foster a collaborative environment.

Help & Solutions Centre

The IST Help & Solutions Centre is an integrated help desk environment combining the computer accounts office, computer help desk, telecommunications services and the network service order desk functions. The centre provides computing, voice services and networking support to students, faculty and staff (more than 35,000 individuals) either in person, via email, telephone or live chat via the internet.

The staff are dedicated to enhancing the use of technologies for teaching, research and administration.  The Help & Solutions Centre acts as a single,first point of contact for IST and is committed to:

• Providing excellent customer service and courteous, responsive technical support.
• Coordinating support efforts with other IST groups.
• Fostering an environment which empowers IST customers to self-help.
• Working closely with past, current and future students, faculty and staff to assist in the effective use of information technologies.
• Providing guidance on, advice about, access to, troubleshooting for and restoration of services in a polite and timely manner.

The unit is also responsible for

• site licensed administrative software packages like Microsoft Office and Oracle calendar
• license maintenance for instructional and research software academic software  in IST open area computing laboratories  and classrooms
• administration of the CallPIlot voice mail system
• chargeback of all voice services to individual departments
• publication of the telephone directory
• management of t he people search database
• provision and billing for over 5000 land lines and 450 cell phones and PDA’s
• tender and provision of local dial tone and long distance services
• a cost recovery desktop support (compureps)
• coordination and support to the university wide compurep committee.
• the development and creation of the IST website.- administration and management of the Mailman mailing list service provided to the university community (all-employees@umanitoba.ca) etc.

Audio Visual and Classroom Technology Support

The group provides:

• distributes audio visual equipment and media (approximately 57,000 requests annually)
• provides computers and technology assistance in classrooms and theatres
• provides videoconferencing booking services
• provides trained operators and field staff
• responsible for inventory control of audio visual equipment
• provides media resource services
• audio and video duplication and recording
• Photography
• multimedia production
• audio visual services for special events on
• manages the IST drop-in Open Area Computing Laboratory facilities
• provides the technical design and expertise to the university wide CCTV systems.
• provides classroom technology design services for classrooms - 

Training Centre, 
Learning Management & Portal Support

Training Centre, Learning Management & Portal Support group delivers non-credit computer training to the campus, providing training and expertise in the use of key software applications used by faculty, staff, and students.

The team administers the Learning Management System, ANGEL Learning. ANGEL Learning is used to deliver over 1500 fully online, blended or augmented courses for over 26,000 users. The team consults closely with faculty with their online teaching and learning endeavors.

Administration of the JUMP portal: the team manages the use of the web portal, providing a comprehensive set of personal (access to Aurora, email, courses, research tools, calendar, Libraries) and public (UMemerg, general information) resources. The team works closely with faculty who use the JUMP credit course tool that is widely used on campus, as well as departments who develop resources that are deployed via JUMP.

The Training Centre includes 3 computer classrooms managed by this team. The centre is used for departmental training, credit courses and external clients.

The team also administers the Campus Events calendar.

The team administers all non-RedDot web publishing on the UofM website and provides training and support for RedDot users.