This is the continuation of a transcript of a presentation by Stu Worman from Indiana University at an IT conference for unversity IT professionals.
Let me show you some of the information we have in our university’s operations dashboard. This is the month of August. This data is the number of connections. We run an automated program that cleans all the computers and makes sure that as students move into our campus housing that their computers has anti-virus software installed, has all the updates before we give them a network connection.
This is the month of August, and these are the new connections to our network from our campus housing. Guess what day this here? Move-in day. We know that on move-in day we had about 3,400 people connect successfully to our network.
You know why. The parents bring their kids. They are not going to leave until they can communicate with them. They have to have an email. They have to have a phone. They have be able to communicate. We have got this to a science.
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Let me show you some of the other things we are measuring here. These are the hours of the day of the connections. We know most people are trying to connect at 4PM. They get there at noon, 1 o’clock, carry the stuff in. By 2, 3, 4, they are connecting. They keep doing it until about 3AM, and at 4AM everyone must go to bed.
We actually licensed the program that does this called Get Connected to LSU. We have also found that all universities’ data looks exactly the same. Most students go to bed around 4AM.
We know what caused the errors. This is because they didn’t know their administrator password. We know how long it took them to install. We know what kind of chassis these people have. We know that 73% of the students that connected in our residence halls have a laptop or a notebook.
That's really valuable information. Because you know what it was last year? 49%. So we see this trend all at once. We used to give everybody a wired connection. And you know what now nobody wants that. They are used to a wireless network at home. They want to sit on their bed and connect from there.
Knowing that data is very helpful to us. This is IU Online, our software distribution system. We know that week 34 which was early August, we had downloads of about 47,000 packages from that system. So it just helps us with planning. This is the top 20 downloads. Office professional is right up there. Our printer locator is pretty popular. So that is just helpful for us to monitor what people want.
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A University Facility Operations Department is responsible for maintaining the physical infrastructure of a campus, ensuring that buildings, utilities, and services function efficiently. Dashboards are essential tools that allow facility managers to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitor various aspects of operations in real time. These dashboards help optimize maintenance efforts, allocate resources effectively, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. By integrating data from multiple sources, the department can improve decision-making and proactively address facility-related challenges.
One of the primary areas tracked in facility dashboards is maintenance and asset management. The department monitors work orders, preventive maintenance schedules, and equipment life cycles. By visualizing metrics such as the number of open maintenance requests, average response times, and asset health scores, facility managers can prioritize urgent repairs and extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure. Predictive maintenance analytics also help reduce downtime by identifying potential failures before they occur, leading to cost savings and improved campus operations.
Another critical component of facility dashboards is energy consumption and sustainability tracking. Universities often have ambitious sustainability goals, and dashboards provide real-time insights into electricity, water, and gas usage across campus buildings. By monitoring energy efficiency metrics, identifying peak consumption times, and detecting anomalies, facility teams can implement conservation strategies. Integrating data from smart sensors and IoT devices allows for automated adjustments, such as optimizing HVAC systems or adjusting lighting based on occupancy, reducing overall energy costs and environmental impact.
Space utilization and occupancy monitoring are also essential metrics tracked by university facility dashboards. These insights help administrators understand how classrooms, labs, and common areas are used throughout the day. With this data, universities can optimize room assignments, schedule maintenance during off-peak hours, and plan for future construction projects. Dashboards may also include real-time occupancy tracking to support social distancing measures, emergency evacuations, or space reservation systems, ensuring efficient use of campus resources.
The department also uses dashboards for safety and compliance monitoring. Metrics such as fire alarm status, elevator inspections, emergency response times, and environmental health compliance are visualized to ensure regulatory adherence. This proactive approach enables facility managers to address safety concerns before they escalate into major issues. Additionally, tracking security incidents, surveillance data, and access control points helps maintain a safe campus environment, supporting students, faculty, and staff.
Finally, financial and budget management dashboards provide visibility into operational expenses, capital projects, and resource allocation. Universities operate within strict budgets, and tracking expenditures in real time helps facility managers make informed financial decisions. By analyzing trends in maintenance costs, vendor contracts, and utility bills, the department can identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements. These insights ensure that facility operations align with the university's financial strategy while maintaining a high standard of service.
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