Curriculum and Academic Software Deployment

Service Description The service is designed to facilitate the integration of curriculum and academic software into departmental operations, addressing the technical requirements from the software’s initial receipt to its full operational status on endpoints in the College labs and in AppsAnywhere. This service is structured to support Chairs and Academic Managers by managing the technical deployment process, allowing them to concentrate on curricular development and pedagogical strategies.
Service Scope The scope of this service includes:

  • Software Callout: Annual callout and collaborative discussions with Department Leads assigned by both Chairs and Academic Managers to understand the expected functionality and outcomes of the new software, ensuring alignment with academic objectives. For net new software, request the “IT Review – Software” service.
  • Issues or mitigations must be adequately addressed before the software can be considered for deployment.
  • Technical Readiness Assessment: Evaluation of the current IT infrastructure to identify necessary adjustments for software compatibility and performance optimization.
  • Software Deployment: Management of the installation, configuration, and integration process, aimed at minimizing disruptions and ensuring compatibility with existing technologies.
  • Quality Assurance and Testing: Conducting tests to verify that the software meets all functional requirements and is fully compatible with the department’s systems, ensuring reliability.
  • Post-Deployment Support: Offering immediate technical support following deployment to address any issues and ensure a smooth transition to regular use.

Note: Additional requests outside of the call-out period are only handled as exceptions with proper justification from the Academic Manager. Procurement of software in NOT included in this service and is the responsibility of the academic areas.
Intended Users Chairs and Academic Managers
Service Requirements The information on required software is collected from assigned leads in the academic areas during the annual call-out period. The Chairs and Academic Managers must identify Department Leads by the specified due date (about 10 days). The Department Leads must complete the software questionnaire by the deadline (approximately 3 weeks).
Service Deliverables Required software provisioned on endpoints in college labs and in AppsAnywhere.
Request Process Service is initiated annually by the BRM Team on a pre-defined schedule. Additional requests outside of the call-out period are only handled as exceptions with proper justification from the Chair or Academic Manager.
Service Request Window ITS-initiated Software Callout occurs in early February. The final deadline for the software questionnaire is mid-March.
Service Performance Levels Test images are made available to faculty on specified lab computers by late April.

Software deployment completed by end-Aug (in time for AC Day 1).

Support Information Contact the ITS Service Desk at 5555@algonguincollege.com