TECHNOLOGY
Narrowing your specialties A key change that has come with this technology transformation is that it is allowing Dalhousie University ’ s IT department to better focus its efforts . “ IT is a large cost center , so we ’ re maturing in higher ed to be really clear about what it is we do and don ’ t do ,” says Fischer , explaining that the school is cutting down on extraneous IT offerings like computer training and sales — both readily available elsewhere — to focus in on tackling its biggest challenges to deliver the features from which its faculty and students can benefit the most .
“ We focus more on high value activities such as data management and analytics — helping with academics in the classroom , research support . We ’ re spending less time doing hardware setups and configurations and upgrades ,” says Fischer , noting that this has also helped Dalhousie University become a greener and more efficient institution . “ IT infrastructure is very power intensive . At a time when everyone ’ s looking at getting points for green policies and sustainability , hosting your own data center is not exactly where you want to be .”
By working with partners like Microsoft and Amazon Web Services , Dalhousie ’ s IT department is able to provide the best of its own services paired with the best that technology has to offer .
Company Information
INDUSTRY
Education
HEADQUARTERS
6299 South St Halifax Nova Scotia Canada B3H 4R2
FOUNDED
1818
EMPLOYEES
1,100
REVENUE
Not Disclosed
www . dal . ca 41