Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Technology Services hosts IT Power Plant Town Hall Sept. 22

Faculty and staff members and students are invited to discuss the future of campus information technology at the IT Power Plant Town Hall from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 22 in Illini Union Room C. The event will be live-streamed for anyone who is unable to attend. A recording of the event also will be made available after the event.

The IT Power Plant is a collaborative partnership bringing together more than 100 representatives from 24 colleges and units. The goal of the event is to improve the quality, availability and cost of IT services across campus by working together as one campus. IT services – such as printing, storage, Web hosting, help desk support, virtualization and endpoint services – will be positively transformed through the IT Power Plant.

“The IT Power Plant initiative will bring together the campus community to deliver IT services that the entire campus can depend on, no matter what department someone is from,” said Brian Mertz, chief communications officer for Technology Services. “Specialized IT services that departments and individuals need will still be available. But for commodity services that everyone needs, the IT Power Plant will deliver these services in a reliable and cost-efficient manner that is consistent across campus.

“We want these basic IT services to work like electricity. When you flip on a light switch, the lights just go on. Basic IT services should be just that simple and reliable at the University of Illinois.”

Presentations and updates about these specific service initiatives will be provided at the town hall, followed by a Q&A session where those attending can provide feedback. More information about the event is available online.

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