Annual Report 2005-2006 - Osgoode Hall Law School - York ...

Information Technology Services
Key Accomplishments of 2005-06
In 2005-06, we continued to focus on the core goals outlined in the previous computing plan. These are:
1. To provide the best support to teaching and learning.
2. To provide the Osgoode community with access to key information and enhance communication among
members.
3. To provide excellent support to scholarship and the Law Library.
4. To support exchange between the Osgoode community and other relevant communities around the world.
5. To enhance our reputation and image.
6. To increase the quality of connection with alumni.
7. To provide students with better access to services and improve institutional efficiency.
8. To continue to enhance Osgoode’s information infrastructure, including its network, desktop systems
and core applications servers to respond to the constant changing needs of the Law School community.
Highlights
In conjunction with the Instructional Technology Centre (ITC), Osgoode’s newest electronic classroom
was finished. Complete with computer, projector, DVD, VCR, document camera and touch screen
controls, the Cassels Brock and Blackwell LLP classroom in Room 204 will further enhance the teaching
and learning experience. Furthermore, students now have ample power requirements to meet their
ever-growing laptop usage.
In support of teaching, we replaced our audio recorders that were starting to experience higher failure
rates. In order to maximize stability and uninterrupted recordings, we deployed permanent audio
recording stations in all our electronic classrooms. This initiative has proven to be very successful, and we
hope to continue deployment in other classrooms as they are retrofitted with multimedia equipment.
On the development side, our efforts focused on consolidating administrative requirements into
centralized databases. The newly deployed HR system (OHRS) combines all employee information
previously managed in numerous locations and methods. The research publications database allows
faculty to quickly post their research material providing both internal and external audiences with easy to
access information. The Graduate admissions system (GradOASIS) will significantly improve workflow and
data availability.
Looking Ahead to 2006-07
Server relocation and upgrades
The reorganization of the ITS department made is necessary to relocate Osgoode’s servers to Keele.
Along with this migration, IT anticipates purchasing new servers to replace aging equipment. We are
planning to put all servers on a remote management solution that features asset information collecting
for analysis, performance and capacity statistics tracking, alerts and response actions and remote
administration, problem determination, and problem resolution. We are also investigating storage
consolidation as a way to reduce storage costs and provide better management of physical resources.
Virtual Office Infrastructure
This year we will replace the existing Metaframe infrastructure that delivers the virtual office
environment. By upgrading to version 4 on new load-balanced servers, Osgoode faculty and staff will have
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