ISC: Who we are - Penn Printout, Sept 1991

The University of Pennsylvania's Online Computing Magazine

September 1991 - Volume 8:1

ISC: Who we are and what we do

By ISC Staff

Computing at Penn is decentralized, reflecting recent technology trends as well as Penn's decentralized management of resources. Schools, departments, and libraries provide all instructional and research computing, as well as substantial local area networking, office automation, and administrative computing. In this diverse environment, the Office of the Vice Provost for Information Systems and Computing (ISC) provides infrastructure and a core of central services, and promotes standards for networking, office automation, and administrative computing. The Vice Provost represents Penn to information technology vendors and external organizations, and serves as an advocate for computing within the University. ISC's role in academic computing is to facilitate school initiatives and serve as a clearinghouse for innovation, both among Penn's academic units and between Penn and other institutions.

Dr. Peter C. Patton is the new Vice Provost for Information Systems and Computing. Under Dr. Patton are four organizations.

Computing Resource Center (CRC)

helps end users-with training, consulting, computing publications and product literature, a help desk, and a hotline. The resource center, on Locust Walk opposite the Bookstore, houses a collection of try-out machines and software, among other resources. Behind the scenes, the CRC negotiates with hardware and software vendors for site licenses and University discounts, which show up, for example, in the Fall Truckload Sale. Dr. Jeff Seaman heads the CRC.

Data Administration and Information Resource Planning (DAIRP)

coordinates planning within the office of Information Systems and Computing and among ISC, schools, and administrative units. DAIRP develops policies for information access and security and oversees a central data dictionary that defines and describes University data. DAIRP develops and maintains the University data model, or high-level blueprint of administrative data relationships. Daniel Updegrove heads DAIRP.

Data Communications and Computing Services (DCCS)

provides PennNet - the University's fiber-optic data network-which connects Penn faculty, staff, and some students to campus computing resources, as well as to a world-wide network of colleagues, libraries, academic and administrative databases, and remote supercomputers. DCCS operates an ALL-IN-1 electronic mail and office automation service. This fall DCCS will launch PennInfo, a general-purpose online service where the Penn community can find information such as the University calendar of events, grant and fellowship information, and Human Resources policies. Carl Abramson heads DCCS.

University Management Information Services (UMIS)

develops and manages administrative systems and supports a base of University data. The installed base of applications totals more than 200, ranging from those that serve the entire University, such as the Student Records System, to those that serve a single school or department, such as Parking and the Medical and Law School Admissions systems. Carl Abramson heads UMIS.

ISC policy and planning are strongly influenced by the campus-wide Information Resource Management Committee and its four subcommittees on research, education, administration, and infrastructure.