Potential users may include academic and administrative staff in other parts of the University, and in the colleges. The University should now be more insistent that IT is actually used for administrative purposes. The widespread introduction of computers throughout the University and the availability and development of the network create the opportunities to carry out existing administrative tasks in a more efficient way and to develop more effective procedures. The central services, and in particular Management Information Services, have a leading role to play in this, but the University expects all departments and faculties to address the administrative use of IT in their IT strategies. A new director of Management Information Services has recently taken up post.
Some developments pose particular challenges in a collegiate university.
One is the computerization of student records, where there is a need to standardize the format of records and to coordinate their use across the colleges and a wide range of academic and administrative departments. In some areas MIS will itself take forward the management and development of information projects. It will develop the next phase of the OpenDoor payroll and personnel system, to include customised personnel facilities, and will improve the operation of the finance system in consultation with users. In other areas, MIS will provide the technical infrastructure and take the lead in planning projects which involve collaboration between a large number of bodies, including colleges. The new Director will have key role in addressing the organisational issues, and will help to work towards greater integration in the management systems employed in the University.