Staff Happenings

Comings and Goings

The following people have left Information Technology Services. Please contact their manager if you need to follow up on any open items.

Ty Baler (Karen Zack)

Sean Mahanay (Karen Zack)

Brian Spyksma (Karen Zack)

Kevin Stephens (Karen Zack)

its in bits welcomes more detailed employee news submissions from all staff. Please submit to itsinbits-submissions@lists.stanford.edu

Tech Briefings

Tech Briefings

Fridays
2:00–3:30 p.m.
Turing Auditorium

Friday, February 6

Intermediate Networking: Ethernet and IP—Drew Saunders, IT Services. Expanding on some of the topics covered in the introductory class, the Ethernet and IP class will go into some more detail on the most common two protocols of modern networking. This class will cover more detail on the Ethernet protocol and common troubleshooting problems. For the Internet Protocol (IP), this class will cover TCP, UDP, and ICMP and what they're used for; IP addressing concepts; subnet masks; and some troubleshooting of common IP problems.

Tech Express

Once a month
12:00–1:00 p.m.
Turing Auditorium

Thursday, February 19

Stanford Email and Calendar—Ammy Hill, IT Services. In 2008, IT Services started providing Stanford computer users with a new and enhanced email and calendar service that allows users to more seamlessly use these applications together. Pieces of Stanford's current email and calendar infrastructures have been replaced with a new "collaboration suite." This Tech Express will focus on demonstrating the new system and answering your questions about the product, the project, and how it will affect your work at Stanford. More information can be found at the project web site.

Check the Tech Briefings home page for future sessions and to subscribe to the mailing list. Also see the Tech Express home page for information on upcoming presentations.

Technology Training Courses

Tech Training Courses

IT Professional Development:

Advanced Drupal Training, Tues—Thurs, Feb 17, 18, 19, 9:00–4:00, $1,600
Advanced Drupal training (theming, module development, data migration, views, and other advanced topics) is coming to campus on February 17–19 (three days), sponsored by IT Services Technology Training. Drupal is open source software that is a powerful framework for managing web content.

All curriculum is based on the latest Drupal 6 release. Each day will include ample opportunity for questions as well as hands-on, independent exercises.

  • Day 1 (Feb 17) : Theming
  • Day 2 (Feb 18) : Module Development
  • Day 3 (Feb 19) : Advanced Topics

If you are interested in registering for this training and/or would like more information, please contact Nancy Baumann directly. The fee for the course is $1,600 per person. You can use any combination of STAP, PTA (department), Hospital Tuition Assistance, and personal funds to pay for the training. Please feel free to share this announcement with other interested parties.

The full listing of Current Courses is available on the Tech Training web site.

Upcoming Tech Training classes of interest to IT Services staff:

Excel 2007: Tables, Functions, and Linking (Level 2), Mon, Feb 9, 9:00–4:00, $325

TechPort Open Lab, Tues, Feb 10, 9:00–12:00, Free

ReportMart 1 Introduction, Tues, Feb 10, 1:30–4:30, Free

Excel 2007 for Finance Level 1, Wed, Feb 11, 9:00–4:00, $325

Using Technology to Increase Your Productivity, Wed, Feb 11, 1:30–4:30, $125

*Web Design Level 3—Cascading Style Sheets, Thurs, Feb 12, 1:30–4:30, $195

Wikis: Using a Wiki at Stanford, Tues, Feb 17, 1:30–4:30, $195

PowerPoint 2007: Seven Essential Time-saving Skills, Wed, Feb 18, 8:30–12:00, $195

OrderIT Site Training, Wed, Feb 18, 8:30–12:00, Free

Word 2007: Document Formatting, Wed, Feb 18, 1:00–4:00, $195

*Web Design: Forms and Basic CGI Scripting, Wed, Feb 18, 1:30–4:30, $195

Word 2007: Building Creative and Professional Documents (Level 2), Thurs, Feb 19, 9:00–4:00, $325

Podcasts: Creating an Audio Podcast at Stanford, Thurs, Feb 19, 1:30–4:30, $195

* Class is part of the curriculum to help prepare for:
Certification Workshop:
Web Professional in the Stanford Environment, Tues, Mar 31, 9:00–4:00, $325
More information at webcertificate.stanford.edu.

Free Email / Calendar Training:

Outlook 2007 Mail, Mon, Feb 9, 9:00–12:00

Sundial: Tips and Tricks, Wed, Feb 11, 9:00–12:00

Stanford Email (Webmail), Fri, Feb 13, 9:00–12:00

Introduction to the New Stanford Email and Calendar
- Mon, Feb 9, 9:00–10:30
- Tues, Feb 10, 2:00–3:30
- Fri, Feb 20, 9:00–10:30

Sign up at http://axess.stanford.edu.

Classes with low enrollment may be cancelled one week in advance. More information on courses, registration, and training is available at the Technology Training Services site.

- Nancy Baumann
Technology Training Services

IT Employment Opportunities

There were four new job postings for IT Services this week.

Req.#33551 and 33552: Computer Information Systems Analyst, 100% FTE, Range 4P2, Karen Zack, hiring manager. (The posting states “Two Positions Available” to avoid duplicate resumes, and only one requisition, #33551, is posted online.)

These two positions provide computer support including desktop and local server consulting with expertise in Macintosh and Windows desktop computers, as well as Windows and Mac-based servers. Computer Resource Consulting supports University schools and departments on a contract basis, as well as for short-term projects.

Req.#33562: IP Telephony Engineer, 100% FTE, Range 4P4, Jimmy Hale, hiring manger.

This position will serve as an IP Telephony Subject Matter Expert (SME), and represent a principal systems administration, engineering, and support role for Avaya Contact Center and Cisco Unified Communications (CallManager) IP telephony platforms. In addition, this position will participate in a collaborative technology convergence capacity for Voice applications and services to include VoIP, Enhanced ACD, WiFi VoIP, Unified Messaging, and the many possibilities of integrated applications and services.

Req.#33591: Manager, Data Center Facilities, 100%FTE, Range 3P4, Bob Moya, hiring manager.

Reporting to the Technical Facilities Manager within IT Services, the Data Center Facilities Manager is directly responsible for engineering, design, maintenance, and construction activities pertaining to highly specialized and mission-critical facilities such as data centers, electronic communications hub’s, and other auxiliary computing facilities. This includes coordination and oversight for conventional building facilities systems, maintenance programs, and non-conventional systems such as UPS, Generator, AC, and DC infrastructure systems which directly support the computing and telecommunications equipment and infrastructure for the Stanford University community.

To view the complete listings or to apply for a position, visit the StanfordJobs web site at: jobs.stanford.edu.

There are other open Information Technology positions at Stanford. To see what other opportunities exist on campus, link to the full list of all open IT positions at Stanford.

Quote of the Week

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

- Henry Ford

News

A Note From Bill…

On January 29 at our annual Service Awards ceremony, we honored staff who have contributed ten or more years of service to Stanford. This event is a wonderful opportunity to thank our people for their dedication and contributions, and to hear tales of their remarkable accomplishments.

Please join me in congratulating the following folks on their Stanford anniversaries:

10 Years of Service: Don Cameron, Alvin Chew, Robin Cohen, Jim Finch, Meei-You Lee, Maria Maravilla, Fred Miclat, Drew Norris, Mike Peralta, Gina Rebosura, Gabby Rodriquez, Kent Reuber, Jane Tansuwan, Luvien Tran, and Gheorghe Vasiliu.

15 Years of Service: Mary Donoghue and Rob Riepel.

20 Years of Service: Vera Jones, Tim Torgenrud, and Christine Wynkoop.

25 Years of Service: Dan English and Tom Goodrich.

30 Years of Service: John Childress, Christina Gonzalez, and Dominga Zepeda.

- Bill Clebsch
IT Services

Stanford Medical Outpatient Clinic in Redwood City—Go Live 2/17/09!

Stanford Medical Outpatient Clinic in Redwood City is only days away from go-live. The Outpatient Clinic is the future home of Orthopedic Surgery, the Sleep Center, Dermatology, the Pain Center, a new Ambulatory Surgery Center, and other clinic support. Tenants move in starting Friday, February 13, through Monday, February 16, and the Outpatient Center will officially open to see patients on Tuesday, February 17!

This is a very exciting time for IT Services, Stanford Hospital and Clinics Information Technology (SHC IT), Perot Systems, and especially for the Clinic Administration Office. This is indeed a project that has embraced partnership, collaboration, and teamwork.

The project is sponsored by Mark Miyasaki from IT Services, Steve Shive from SHC IT (with support from Perot Systems), and Helen Wilmot from the Clinic Administration Office. Together, we deliver state-of-the-art cabling, data and wireless networks, telephony, and TV service to meet the needs of the Outpatient Center today and in the future.

If you have any questions about the project, please contact me.

- Chai Ho
Project Management

Winter Speaking of Computers
Stanford Technology & Computing News

The winter issue of Speaking of Computers is now online.

This e-newsletter highlights the latest news in technology-related and computing activities, services, and resources on the Stanford campus. Here are just a few of the articles you will find:

  • Better cell phone rates and an added carrier (Sprint) from IT Services.
  • New features for SearchWorks, the Stanford Libraries' prototype that offers new ways to find and access all the Libraries' holdings and licensed content.
  • An update on Stanford's Work Anywhere Program, which offers tools to enable the campus community to more easily conduct their daily activities from multiple locations.
  • Winter Tech Training classes, including a new certification program, Web Professional in the Stanford Environment.
  • Low-cost online storage and a Linux and Windows server hosting service offered by IT Services.

- Eleanor Brown
SULAIR Publications

HelpSU Reaches A Milestone

On January 20, 2009, at 2:44:49 p.m., the One Millionth HelpSU request (INC000001000000!) was created. (Our condolences to the student who registered for the incorrect section of his Materials Science and Engineering class, and then missed the deadline for changing sections!) You'll notice we've planned for growth, with plenty of leading zeroes left in our Incident numbering scheme.

If we'd charged even a penny for each request, look what we'd have: $10,000 and a 2.3 ton pile of pennies!

- Chris Lundin
Client Support

IT Services CMDB Project Status

This is a quick update on the status of the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) project. The CMDB will collect and hold information from numerous sources in a database repository that logically depicts our IT infrastructure. This logical depiction of systems can, in turn, be used to link directly to our services and processes that depend on those systems.

The IT Services CMDB initiative is moving forward with a new CMDB project manager, Ramon Herrera. We are in the process of mapping our infrastructure items to services and supporting processes. Remedy, which houses the CMDB, will be upgraded to version 7.0 in March to fully use the benefits of the CMDB. In the meantime, the technical teams are working on building the infrastructure that will bring configuration item information from our current systems (e.g., Puppet) into the CMDB.

Feel free to ask Ramon or KPK any questions about the CMDB project. More to come!

- Nan McKenna
Service Management

Good News About Cell Phone Rates

We wanted to report on some good news about a variety of improvements that we've made to our cell phone services this fall.

  • We've added Sprint as a carrier option for cell phones, and have negotiated a rate plan of 17% discount off Sprint calling plans.
  • You can now keep your cell number, even if you leave the University.
  • As you've heard, we've arranged with Payroll to work out deductions, to make it as easy as possible to comply with those potentially thorny personal cell phone use regulations.

Good stuff so far. But the best news is about rates and fees. Read on!

IT Services has been negotiating with AT&T and we are happy to announce that as a result, we have been able to significantly change our rate plans! We will be passing along a 20% discount for all AT&T calling plans. We hope that this new discount structure will encourage you to look into and make use of our service for cell phones…and the $10 Administration Fee is waived.

Beginning in November, the $10 monthly integration fee will no longer be charged to departments, as we’ve been able to incorporate these costs in the new rate structure.

- IT Cell Phone Service Team

WebEx Price Reductions Effective December 1, 2008

IT Services has negotiated price reductions with Cisco WebEx for the services available to those with WebEx licenses at stanford.webex.com. Campus-wide, there are 315 users with WebEx licenses; 70 of those are in IT Services. You can find a general description of available WebEx services online.

The following prices went into effect December 1, 2008:

Named Host License (charge for unlimited use of Meeting Center, Training Center, Support Center, Event Center)

  • Was: $33/month
  • Now: $28/month (15% reduction)

WebEx Integrated Audio-Conferencing (if used)

  • Toll Call-In:
    • Was: $0.0500/minute/participant
    • Now: $0.0475/minute/participant (5% reduction)
  • Toll-Free Call-In:
    • Was: $0.0975/minute/participant
    • Now: $0.0475/minute/participant (51% reduction)
  • VoIP Audio-Conferencing:
    • No change, remains: $0.02/minute/participant

If you have any questions about these rate changes or other WebEx issues, please submit a HelpSU request. Similarly, if you would like to make better use of your WebEx capabilities, we'd be happy to work with you indivdually or point you to fine WebEx University on-demand web-based training. Just let us know.

If you don't have a WebEx license yet, but, are interested in trying out the Meeting Center software to hold online meetings, with integrated audio-conferencing, check out the Work Anywhere Program WebEx pilot. During the period of this pilot program, you can gain access to WebEx Meeting Center functionality without charge. To participate in the uncharged pilot, connect to stanfordconference.webex.com and click "Request Host Account" in the left sidebar.

- Chris Lundin
Client Support

New CIO at LPCH

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital has hired a new CIO, Ed Kopetsky. He comes to LPCH from Healthlink Inc., an IBM company, and brings to his new role a long history of leadership in the health care industry.

- Jay Kohn
Strategic Liaison

Mileage Reimbursement Rate Change

On January 1, 2009, the mileage reimbursement rate for personal auto use for business purposes changed.

The IRS has set the government mileage reimbursement rate to 55 cents per mile effective January 1, 2009. Stanford University's mileage reimbursement rate policy is to match the IRS rate, so as of January 1, 2009, personal auto use will be reimbursed at the new rate of 55 cents per mile. The iOU module for reimbursements has been updated to reflect this new rate. Petty Cash reimbursements should be made at the new rate as well.

If you have any questions, please contact Customer Outreach in the Disbursements Department by submitting a HelpSU request (Request Category: Central Office Issues; Request Type: Customer Outreach for Disbursements) or calling 725-9100.

- Chris Lundin
Client Support

Pets in the Workplace

There have been some questions about Stanford's guidelines on pets in the workplace. The following is from the Employee and Labor Relations website:

Restriction of Pets and other Animals in Stanford University Buildings

As a general rule, pets are not permitted in Stanford University buildings, except:

  • Animals used in approved teaching, research, and clinical activities
  • Assistive animals for persons with disabilities, or those being trained for such a purpose
  • Police dogs on duty

Although there may be emergency situations when a pet may be present on a one-time, short-term basis, the supervisor must be informed in advance and, if she or he approves, adequate steps must be taken to prevent injury or disruption to others at work, including immediate removal of the pet in the event of legitimate concerns or complaints. This restriction recognizes that pets or other animals pose potential issues of disruption (interrupting other employees at work), health (transmission of allergens, danders, odors, etc.), safety (risk of aggression, animal bites, scratches), and hygiene (pest infestation, etc.)

Please call your local human resource officer or Health & Safety Office if any clarification is needed.

- The Editors

About its in bits

A regular summary of IT business, news about personnel, and pointers to other information of interest to IT Services staff. Coordinated, compiled, and published by the Communication Strategy and Standards Team. its in bits is published on the first and third Wednesday of the month.

Submissions are due by Noon on the Friday before the scheduled issue, to itsinbits-submissions@lists.stanford.edu for consideration. its in bits is distributed via email to its-all-staff@lists.stanford.edu and the subscription list itsinbits-subscribers@lists.stanford.edu People outside of IT Services can self-subscribe via mailman.

The next its in bits will be published on Wednesday, February 18, 2009.