IT services and projects at IIMA are managed through Computer Centre. The Computer Centre is headed by IT Head and governed by Computer Services Committee. Computer Services Committee also defines the IT policies and update them periodically.
Computer Centre has built and is building IT Infrastructure with focus on high availability, scalability, mobility, security, performance, automation, lower TCO and ease of management. The goal is to create digitally smart campus where applications/information can be run/accessed securely 24 x7 from anywhere and from any device at an acceptable speed and where all campus resources can be used optimally with use of latest tools & technologies.
IIMA has the state of the art tier-2 Data Center facility from APC Schneider where computing, networking and telecom infrastructure is hosted along with associated administrative & academic applications ranging from ERP (SAP) to LMS (Moodle).
Instead of going for traditional three-tier architecture which is expensive to build, complex to operate, and difficult to scale, Computer Centre has opted for Hyper Converged Infrastructure to decrease data center complexity and increase scalability. This is built on using VMWare's VSAN technology on HP Servers with Veeam software as a backup platform.
All buildings, including the hostels, faculty blocks, academic blocks, computer center and library at IIMA are connected through a Gigabit Ethernet-Switched network. Computer Centre has recently upgraded network backbone to 10Gbps/40Gbps by laying single mode fiber.
The local area network (LAN) is build using 3-layer architecture – Access layer, Distribution layer and Core Layer. LAN security is enhanced using virtual LAN methodology. Both Wired and Wi Fi infrastructure across the campus is upgraded very recently by deploying 115+ SDN ready Cisco network switches and 1150+ 802.11ac Wi Fi access points from Cisco to ensure high throughput and maximum coverage. All critical network (Wired and Wi Fi) components are in High Availability (HA) setup.
The Wired & Wi Fi Devices authentication (AAA), guest portal and end user devices security compliance is managed using Cisco ISE. Entire network is monitored & managed through single window using network management software - Cisco Prime. Perimeter level security is managed through next generation firewall from Fortinet. The endpoints and servers are further secured by deploying antivirus software/updates, windows updates and security patches as per defined automated process. Computer Centre has also ensured to have standard environment across the campus (example: Win 10 as OS on all end user devices) for ease of management. Computer Centre also shares Do's and Don'ts to take care of IT security.
IIMA has total internet bandwidth of 500 Mbps through two different ISPs. In addition to this IIMA also has 1 Gbps link from NKN (National Knowledge Network).
Computer Centre has setup very recently HPC Lab to carry out research & academic activities. The lab is built using HP high-end servers, storage & Infiniband Network along with required software components.
Computer Centre has identified SAP S/4 HANA as ERP application platform and decided to go for On-Premise option after evaluating of both Cloud and On-Premise options. IIMA has put up TDI based SAP infrastructure. The solution components are HP servers, SAN Switches, SAN storage, Veeam as a backup platform, VMWare as a virtualization platform & SUSE Enterprise Linux as an Operating system. The total solution is configured considering "High Availability".
In a first phase of implementation, SAP modules namely FICO, MM, HCM, CRM (Incidence Management), TRM, BPC and PS are getting implemented. The SLCM, REM and CRM modules will be part of the second phase.
SAP implementation will help IIMA to do process automation and move towards "less paper" office along with resource optimization and productivity improvements
Computer Centre is now in process of upgrading analog telephony infrastructure with state of the art technology in Unified Communications from Avaya. Vodafone will provide the SIP Trunk services. The new technology will bring in the integration of all communication channels like chat, voice, video, web, etc., and keeps them in one place. This means instead of choosing different tools, institute users can only use one medium for different communication needs though single user interface saving a considerable amount of time and resources. This technology will open new channels of collaboration to IIMA community members.
Many departments, who does promotional and marketing activities, use bulk Mail Solution deployed by Computer Centre.
Computer Centre has taken approach to have hybrid model while hosting applications. IIMA has put up some applications like email (Google Suite), Institute Web Site and few other institute apps on cloud. IIMA may put up SAP DR Site on cloud in near future.
All classrooms are networked and equipped with a projector, a PC, and a DVD player. Some of the classrooms are equipped with video conferencing facility as well. A fully equipped computer classroom is also available in the computer center where on-line computer based training can be imparted. Video Conferencing facility is also provided in placement offices so that companies can screen students remotely.
The Learning Management System used at IIMA is Moodle. Moodle is used for sharing study material by faculties, online submission of assignments, online Quiz/exams, discussion forums (Course Specific)) and assessment Integrated with Anti- Plagiarism software.
IIMA also imparts education through Distance Learning and E Learning modes. IIMA has set up high-definition video-conferencing systems through partners for lecture recording, archiving, and web streaming.
Computer Centre has developed many academic and administrative applications in house preferably on LAMP platform while some through software vendors.
IIMA provides software to faculty members for their academic and research work.
Faculty and students can access a large number of online journals and digital resources through the digital library maintained and subscribed by the IIMA.
Computer Centre has centralized helpdesk where end users can log IT related incidents/requests over phone or email or through web interface to get technical support. Helps desk then assigns call to right engineer if not resolved at Helpdesk itself, track it till its closure and then update user accordingly. Entire process is based on ITIL Methodology.
Computer Centre has hybrid IT services model. IIMA has outsourced some of the non-critical services, while managing critical support functions directly through internal team. However, Computer Centre has SLA driven support contracts with respective OEMs and service providers in all cases.
