With Workday implementation on the horizon, join us for hot topics of interest to the IT community, followed by open Q&A. Get information on Ancillary Systems resources, professional development opportunities, the data and reporting landscape, future state support models and more.
The university generates data of all sizes, from a few megabytes to hundreds of terabytes. And let’s face it, storing all that data can be costly. In this virtual session, we’ll introduce Object Storage (S3), a campus-hosted data storage service offering lower-cost storage to departments and permanent staff, and no-cost storage for eligible researchers. Discover how this service can significantly reduce storage costs and enable new ways to use and distribute data. You’ll participate in a live demonstration of this service using a free file browser application, Cyberduck, and the Python library, Boto3.
Discover how the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) tackled the challenge of outdated project websites. These unmaintained websites opened WCER to risk such as damage to reputation, cybersecurity threats, and accessibility violations. Learn our practical approach to archiving obsolete sites, securing leadership support for new standards, and establishing clear maintenance expectations for all new web projects from day 1.
Welcome 9:00-9:15am – IT Professionals Conference co-chairs David Berg and Elizabeth Kraege-Soechting will provide introductory remarks for the conference.
Keynote 9:15-10:15am – Lois Brooks, the outgoing CIO at UW–Madison, will deliver the keynote address.
Keynote Description:
In “Change is the Only Constant,” Lois Brooks explores how transformation in higher education IT requires both resilience and intentional adaptation. Drawing from her 40-year career in technology, Brooks shares insights on understanding institutional resistance and navigating in times of change. This keynote offers a candid look at lessons learned through major transitions—from pandemic-driven pivots to strategic realignments— with emphasis on the human elements that ultimately determine whether initiatives succeed or fail.
This session provides a high-level overview of artificial intelligence (AI), covering its history, concepts and various applications. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the different types of AI, using illustrated examples to demonstrate how these technologies work and explore the potential solutions and challenges associated with the effective implementation of AI. By the end of the session, you will have a clearer understanding of AI, its various types and uses and the successes and challenges you may encounter when implementing AI solutions.
Attendees will:
Learn the definitions and types of AI
Understand the history, concepts, and paradigms of machine learning (ML)
Explore deep learning, artificial neural networks, and generative AI
Discover the potential solutions and applications of AI technologies
Identify and discuss the challenges and consequences of using AI effectively
In this session, DiscoverIT and WID staff will share their expertise and insights on effectively managing research data throughout its life cycle. Attendees will learn about the DataVault, a robust environment designed to streamline data management practices and ensure data integrity, accessibility. Gain knowledge about workflows and tools to optimize your data management practices, foster collaboration, and ensure your research data’s long-term value and integrity.
Attendees will:
Understand the importance of effective data management in research
Discover best practices and tools for organizing, storing, and documenting research data
Learn about the DataVault environment and its advantages
Hear from DiscoverIT and WID staff about how they address the challenges of the data life cycle
Acquire practical knowledge and skills to implement this method in your research projects
Explore the collaborative development of the Foundation Data Model (FDM) Mapping Solution, a vital component of the Administrative Transformation Program’s Financial Crosswalk. Learn how innovative tools and frameworks streamline data management processes through effective collaboration between development and data management teams.
Attendees will:
Gain insights into the collaborative development process
Learn about tools and frameworks used to streamline data management
Explore real-world examples of the FDM Mapping Solution’s impact
Discover how the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) implemented a secure data enclave using DevOps, Azure cloud computing and Microsoft’s suite of security tools. SMPH’s platform enables researchers, data engineers and data scientists to utilize resources like virtual machines, databases, OpenAI, data lakes and Power BI, all while protecting patient privacy. Gain insights into creating and scaling a secure computing environment in the cloud and learn about the platform’s capabilities.
Attendees will:
Learn about the approach SMPH took in creating their secure enclave
Hear about the various resources available within the platform
Discover how the platform maintains patient privacy while providing access to powerful tools for research and analysis
Gain practical tips about how to create and scale your own secure computing enclave in your IT environment
Welcome 9:00-9:15am – IT Professionals Conference co-chairs Sarah Lien and Elizabeth Kraege-Soechting will provide introductory remarks for the conference.
Keynote 9:15-10:15am – Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, the nationally recognized superintendent of Wisconsin’s Fall Creek School District, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s IT Professionals Conference.
Keynote Description:
I’m just…It’s a phrase we hear all the time. I’m just a sysadmin, I’m just a security analyst, I’m just a instructional designer….the list is long and is often followed by reasons why something CAN’T happen. Leadership is an action and it starts with you. Leading with INTENTION creates purpose. Leading with CONNECTION creates momentum. Leading with DIRECTION creates collective efficacy. Leading with all three in mind will build your capacity and foster an environment where everyone in your organization has the best opportunity to lead from where they are.
An introduction to data and information management process mapping as a needs analysis tool for improving research workflows and cyberinfrastructure.
Participants will learn:
I am a new consultant on campus to help with research cyberinfrastructure
Basics of Process Mapping – Purpose, Capability, Use
Growth Mindset- You don’t know what you don’t know. Be Open to Curiosity and Change. Encourage opportunities to reduce redundancies, inefficiencies, and gaps as well as increase reproducibility, repeatability, and replicability.