02/09/04

Interview with a Professional

Introduction

  I interviewed Mr. Justin Itoh, who is currently the CIO and Associate Vice President of Hawaii Pacific University's IT department. He joined HPU as a Director of IT in 1999. His efforts have brought a lot of changes at HPU's IT department, which didn't even exist 3 years ago.

The Interview

1. Tell me about the background of IT at HPU?

An IT department was formed at HPU 3 years ago. I joined HPU as a Director of IT at that time. Before the IT department was formed, there was no IT infrastructure at HPU. All the departments were decentralized and thus couldn't share useful information with each other. Even the IT department was not centralized and different offices at the university were using their own standards for information technology. For example some departments were using Novell's software for LAN and some were using Microsoft. There was no communication between the offices such as Registrar, Finance and Operation and Human Resources. Students were not getting the proper support either.

2. Why did HPU need independent IT department?

The purpose was to centralize the IT services and various other departments under one roof. Also, to reduce costs, more efficiency and better communication and support for students, faculty and staff. 

3. How does the new IT infrastructure looks like now?

There are two major networks at HPU to support students, faculty and staff. Campus Pipeline supports the students of all the campuses at HPU as well as the faculty, who use it for email and to post grades for their classes. The Administrative network supports all the employees at HPU. All the departments such as Accounting, HR, Library, Registrar etc. are interrelated to each other through this network.

4. What type of Technologies are used by HPU?

HPU uses Microsoft's Network technology for its wired LAN and Cisco's wireless cards and access points for the wireless LAN. HPU uses SCT/Banner as a tool for client/server architecture. Gigabit Ethernet is used as a backbone for networking. Both hubs and switches are used to network computers at HPU. Cisco is the vendor for switches and there are several vendors for hubs such as 3Com, HP and Cisco as well. HPU is also using a print express card, which students can use to print their assignments etc. HPU is coming up with a smart card called Campus One card. The card will store the information of a student and what they are using at the school. They can use this card to go to the computer center without going through the old method. 

5. How important is IT to HPU?

Its a huge division and is very important. HPU can't even operate now without a centralized IT system. Currently, all the employees and students are dependent on IT. 

6. Does IT give HPU a competitive advantage? If so, how?

It certainly does. Campus one card is going to reduce the costs for the university and they can also determine the needs of students and try to make it better. HPU's website has been redesigned and it provides a better support to both current and prospective students. Usage of Voip has also reduced costs for HPU and a better service can be provided.

7. Can employees choose to telecommute? If yes, how is it organized?

Yes, only selected employees can telecommute. HPU has recruiters in the mainland, who can choose to telecommute. Some other employees can telecommute by using Virtual Private Network and just do work at home or anywhere else beside their office.

8. What disaster recovery plans are in place?

There is redundancy on all the servers at HPU meaning if a server goes down then it automatically transfers to another server. Backups are in place in different buildings around downtown campus. Backup for power in both campuses. If there are damaged phone lines in a particular building then HPU provides cellular phones to the employees in that building. 

9. What innovative applications or tools do you use?

I use e-mail, security of networks, intranet, tracking of wireless networks, Campus Pipeline etc.

10. Does HPU use outsourcing or consultants for IT?

 Yes, but only on the phone.

11. How is the IT department organized?

IT department is divided into four further divisions (see chart). The first one is Instructional Media Services. They take care of audio and video equipment as well as the distance education administration also comes under this subdivision. Second is the Computer Center, which mostly deals with students. Third subdivision is Client Services, which is responsible to fix any problem faculty might have with the hardware and software. Client Services also helps students, if they have any problems with the dialup connections as well as the wireless internet at HPU. Fourth is the MIS subdivision and they keep track of all the  student records and grades. The last subdivision, Networking Technology is responsible for all the networks, wired or wireless at HPU. 

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