Information and Communication Technologies at Deakin

As with all large organisations, Deakin’s information and communication technology (ICT) systems have become increasingly important to the efficient operation of its key business processes and activities: teaching, learning and research. Without efficient and reliable IT systems, Deakin University’s performance would be greatly hindered. Every Faculty, Division, student and member of staff is directly affected by ICT systems, which include the applications, functionality and infrastructure used to support the business activities of the University.

The ICT environment needs to deliver reliable, robust, accessible, flexible and cost efficient ICT services to the University community. To deliver this, the ICT environment at Deakin is underpinned by technical ICT standards that are adhered to across the University.

Deakin's ICT services are aligned to the academic and business needs of the University, through a range of ICT strategic planning and business architecture activities, which include wide consultation with the University community. To be truly responsive, ICT services must be delivered within a flexible, agile environment that can adapt to technology and business change. These activities are supported by the University's ICT planning, business architecture and related project activities.

Service and technical domains

The IT environment of the University can be understood through its service and technical domains. Domains are used to describe the business activities of the University, independent of business areas. Clustering activities within domains facilitates the management and development of services or capabilities to support the University's ongoing and strategic business needs. Each domain aggregates a collection of related services into a single logical cluster, enabling business areas and DeS to align services and supporting technologies to best meet current and future business requirements.

The domains provide a foundation for the sharing or re-use of processes, systems, expertise and technological capabilities, and for collaboration on future requirements and associated technological development.

Service domains

The service domains describe the three key business areas of the University:

Service domain	Description
Teaching and Learning	The Teaching and Learning service domain defines the set of capabilities required to support the teaching and learning activities of the University. It facilitates the alignment of services and technologies to support the teaching and learning activities of the University, including the development or acquisition of new services and technologies to support the University's strategic teaching and learning goals and flexible education delivery. This includes: Development and delivery of course materials Services associated with the student learning experience at Deakin Provision of learning environments (physical and virtual) Development of capabilities to research and implement emerging trends in teaching and learning, particularly where they support flexible education
Research	The Research service domain defines the set of capabilities required to support the research activities of the University. It facilitates the alignment of services and technologies to support the research activities of the University, including the development or acquisition of new services and technologies to support the University's strategic research goals. This includes provision of: Services to support Deakin's researchers Administrative support for research activities Services associated with production and publication of research output Support for technologies that facilitate research collaboration and that enable the appropriate storage and management of research data
Support and Administration	The Support and Administration service domain defines the set of capabilities that are directly related to staff, students and Deakin's external customers or partners. This includes Deakin's business interactions with these stakeholders and stakeholder-driven activities or functions. The Support and Administration service domain also represents those underpinning capabilities and services that are required to ensure the ongoing functioning of the business as a whole. It facilitates the alignment of services and technologies that underpin the administrative and support functions of the University, including the development or acquisition of new services and technologies to support the University's strategic goals. This includes: Student support and administration Staff support and administration Engagement with Deakin's communities and partners Provision of finance, governance and other administrative support across the University

Technical domain

The technical domain describes the five technical layers that support the University's IT services.

Technical domain	Description
End user devices	Includes all components that provide end users (including prospective, current and past students; academic and general staff; researchers and research partners; and community members) with the ability to interact with the ICT environment (including emerging and mobile technologies).
Applications	Includes all components that provide end users with the programs and functionality they require to undertake business activities.
Middleware and operating systems	Includes all components that facilitate the operation and interoperability of the University's business (enterprise) applications.
Servers and storage	Includes all components that provide the capability to manage and operate the University's business applications, including storage of the associated data.
Network	Includes all components that manage the availability, performance and security of the myriad networks that enable connectivity between end users and the ICT environment.

These are then further categorised into technical streams that are used to guide the development, procurement and implementation of new or modified technology at the University. Further information is provided in the Technical Domains document (current as of 27 July 2011).

If you have any questions or comments about Deakin's service or technical domains please contact Arnie Phillips (ph: 522 78797).