The partnership between UW Medicine IT Services (IT Services) and UW Computing & Communications (C&C) is expanding. In the coming months, responsibility for all network support services within UW Medicine will transition from IT Services to C&C.
Until now, C&C has provided only backbone network services and external Internet connectivity for the medical centers, but, in contrast, has always provided full network support to the "wall outlet" in the School of Medicine and other health sciences facilities. This change unifies the network support model for all UW Medicine entities, including the UW and Harborview medical centers, UW Physicians Neighborhood Clinics, School of Medicine, and ancillary units. More importantly, it provides a unified approach to network architecture and operations across all health sciences and clinical units.
Because of the relationship between research and clinical activities, it is important to have a consistent high-performance network infrastructure serving all areas of the institution, and achieving that goal will make UW more competitive and enhance our position with respect to research funding opportunities. IT Services and Computing & Communications also recognize the critical requirements of healthcare delivery as distinct from research and teaching.
Scope of this change includes wired and wireless networking, remote site connectivity, network device management and network support services. Security services, including firewall management and secure remote access mechanisms, will remain with IT Services under Gary Sugai.
Anticipated benefits of this change include:
A transition project has been initiated under the leadership of Gary Sugai (IT Services) and Sandy Moy (C&C). Please direct questions to either of them, or to Steve Tarr or me as appropriate.
Tom M. Martin
Director -- Chief Information Officer
UW Medicine - IT Services
7/31/03
