Additional Development Services
AgIT offers additional Web development services.  After working with the client, we are able to match the best technology to the project.  If the project requirements are beyond our core competencies, we are able to provide departments, etc, that may be able to meet your needs.

Security

Risk Assessment / Consulting
AgIT offers security risk assessments and security reviews as a service to College departments.  These risk assessments help IT personnel identify security vulnerabilities to sensitive or restricted data, systems, and processes.

Security Officer
STEAM, or Security Team, is the IT Security Incident Response Program at Purdue University. It brings together IT professionals from all University IT departments to share information and offer assistance responding to the IT Security Incidents seen on the Purdue West Lafayette campus.

AgIT houses the College’s security officer and representative to STEAM.  This allows a liaison between the university and departments.  This allows for a two-way flow of information, current issues, and upcoming policy in IT security. 

Security Documentation
As security has made it to the forefront of day-to-day operations and IT decisions, it has become important to document and disseminate security-base policy and procedures for supported users and Department IT professionals.

Support Services

Call Center
AgIT provides complete computer support to our clients by providing telephone support Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 p.m. This assures a timely response to your technology needs.

In addition to the toll-free user support hotline, College of Agriculture staff can submit an email to agithelp@purdue.edu to enter help requests into the Call Center Incident Ticket database.  The end user enters a brief description of the problem in the subject line and more information in the body of the email. Upon submission of the ticket the end-user receives an automated email message containing the work order number of their submitted problem.  Call Center staff, based on the information given on the form, will research the solution and contact the user.

Ninety-eight percent (98%) of our support effort is done over the phone and/or through remote connections. This is made possible by full time connectivity and the remote control software installed on each PC.  Win VNC allows the support staff to access the user’s computer remotely, not only being able to see what the user sees but also being able to demonstrate menu commands and illustrate various functions of the particular applications.  This enables support staff to identify and resolve many user problems very quickly, dramatically increasing customer satisfaction.

Desktop Procurement (Leasing Program)
The lease program is designed to provide the highest computing power and reliability at least costs.  Additionally, it was intended to provide a flat, annual fee that would enable county CES offices and Governments to plan accurately for computing expenditures.  It essentially funnels the entire burden of identifying needs, planning for upgrades, tracking software licenses, and a host of other concerns, to a single task that occurs every 3 or 4 years, based upon type of equipment.

 The annual fee includes price computer (with higher education discount) shipping costs and software licensing charges.  Full technical support and software upgrades provided by Agriculture Information Technology (AgIT). 

Desktop IP Video Conferencing Support
Video has become a critical tool for communicating in conference settings or ‘point-to-point’ for Purdue Extension.  AgIT provides the following services specific to IP Video conferencing.

• Identify supported device models

• Install / setup of supported devices

• Troubleshoot connectivity problems

• Support and use of video bridging services, including Gatekeeper

E-mail Distribution Lists
AgIT creates e-mail distribution lists using the “Mailman” list services managed by ITaP.  Once created, membership to most all lists are managed by the departmental owners (i.e. area lists are managed by respective District offices)

Microsoft Communicator – Client support
With SIP integration, a ‘point-to-point’ video conference tool can be deployed.  A quick invite to another Purdue staff member using Communicator and a click on the camera button will allow individuals to interact with each other.  Additional features, such as document sharing makes this application a useful collaboration tool.  No scheduling is needed

Printers
Printers are an integral part of completing base office functions.  Therefore, AgIT offers the following services specific to printers:

Printer Procurement and Support – AgIT provides fully supported, standard leased printers in both B&W and Color models. 

Printer In-Warranty Repairs - AgIT covers the warranty necessary for standard leased printers for year two through end of lease period.

Printer Consulting – For offices bypassing the printer lease option, AgIT will review printer specifications to determine if 1) the printer is still available, 2) will connect to the Purdue network, and 3) review features (e.g., duplication).  This will assist offices in making informed decisions.

Training Resources & Presentations
The realities of finite resources and because training on most computing subjects is readily available from a myriad of providers, it isn’t practical for AgIT to duplicate common IT training services.  Therefore, training resources (i.e., FAQ’s, User Guides, and knowledge bases) focus on topics Ag specific topics and cannot be obtained elsewhere is provided via the AgIT website.   A number of training presentations are provided for county Technical Coordinators, conferences and when new information and/or equipment becomes available.  Again, these presentations are focused on topics that are specific to AgIT users (i.e., Electronic Communication, Security, equipment installations, etc.)

Technical Documentation
AgIT has expanded their technical documentation for services provided by AgIT.  These include documents (i.e., Policies, procedures, FAQ’s, etc.) for AgIT’s user and partners/collaborators

Systems

File Storage Services
Collaborative storage services offered to all units within the College of Ag.  Services include off-site backup as well as user restore functionality (shadow copy).

Offsite Backup Media Storage
As a collaborative project, Agriculture departments have purchased a media-rated, fireproof safe provided in secure facility for storage of College of Agriculture ‘offsite’ backup media, such as tapes.

Networking Services (Local/Wide Area Network)
AgIT works with ILite and provides procurement and management of state-wide networking services.  Consulting services in regards to design and installation of wired and wireless networks for College of Agriculture units is also available.

Research and Development
R & D services can be provided for College of Agriculture or Agriculture sponsored projects requiring an IT component; base on resource availability.

Server Room Services
AgIT’s server room (Smith 113) is made available to all College of Ag departments for housing their servers in a secure, environmentally controlled facility providing rack space, power, networking, UPS and access control services.

System Management Services (SMS)
AgIT can provide centralized, automated, enterprise-class services to Agriculture faculty and staff.  Microsoft SMS services are available to automate updates and patches of the Windows desktop and server operating systems (OS) and supported software packages.  Examples of current software distribution:

• Anti-spyware

• McAfee anti-Virus

• FileMaker Pro

VPN Services
The AgIT VPN server was designed to allow our customers access to networks drives from home, reduce support costs and increase security to the AgIT supported network.  The network shares were previously closed to the Purdue VPN because if they were open it would give access to the entire Purdue Campus including students.  This also helps College IT administrators gain secured access to their servers without introducing a large security risk by opening their servers to the Purdue VPN. 

Other

New Construction Consulting (with IT needs)
Most new construction includes considerations for various IT components such as networking, audio/visual, computerized displays, etc.  AgIT can assist in reviewing technology specifications and provide solutions for IT components.

Software Licensing Services
AgIT coordinates the procurement of licensed software for AgIT’s leased computer equipment.  In some cases, due to volume licenses (attributed to the lease) an invitation to College of Agriculture departments to join the volume license will be extended.  At this time, it includes FileMaker Pro, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and Webroot.

University-level Representation
AgIT personnel serve on numerous committees and groups to provide appropriate representation of Purdue Agriculture’s interest in the development of campus-level IT policy, procedures and services.  We can work with College units to provide consulting to unit representatives serving on committees and/or represent the unit directly.