Business and Tech Transformation at the University of London
The Digital Services team at CoSector – University of London (previously ULCC) share their experiences of digital transformation
Joe Lawson-West
The University of London has recently undergone a digital transformation in order to create a more efficient and modern workplace. Through an ambitious programme of investment and development, known as Project Beveridge, the University of London was able to meet its target and objectives, which were as follows:
Release academic space by moving staff to the lower ground floor;
Enable staff to work in a way that meets their own needs as well as the needs of the organisation;
Introduce activity-based working (ABW) for a flexible working environment;
Improve staff productivity with new and faster technology;
Improve communication and collaboration between departments via hot desking and an open-plan office;
Provide efficient and effective storage facilities;
Reduce environmental impacts.
The importance of preparation
Not only did the project need preparation in order to arrange building permits and for blueprints to be drawn up, it needed time in order to prepare staff for the change. The University of London arranged several months of training; for example, staff were sent on workshops teaching them how to use their new computers, as well as being taught best practices for flexible working. They also had tours of the new areas and were kept up-to-date with the progress via e-newsletters and through the intranet. Preparation was incredibly important to the digital transformation process, as it helped ease staff into the change as well as allowing giving staff a voice to give feedback.
Results
After a few years in the making, moving day finally came. The lower ground floor of Senate House was transformed to include:
No fixed desks;
Breakout & quiet areas;
A new canteen;
New furniture, a nicer office space and a better aesthetic;
More meeting rooms with technical facilities;
Better integration with other workers within the university, increasing social aspects of the job;
More chances for collaborations and quick meetings;
Being able to access files from the cloud, making it easier to work from anywhere.
There was also a long list of technological changes that CoSector – University of London’s Digital Services department provided:
Microsoft Surfaces Pro4 (Bit Locker), Docks and dual screens, soft phones
Surface Hubs
Centralised printing
IAM Cloud / OneDrive Sync Client
SharePoint
ServiceNow
LogMeIn Rescue (Remote Support)
802.1x Network to enable moving between offices without losing connectivity
New Switches, APs, structured cabling
Office365
Windows10
Office2013 going to Office 2016
Skype for Business / VOIP
Reinforcing change
The university provided support, assistance and further training to all staff, as well as technical support from the Digital Services team. Communication was always open and still is today, which is a huge reason why the project has been a huge success. The staff adapted well to the changes due to the immense effort put into preparation, and the Digital Services team undertook a huge technical project that paid off due to their incredible technical know-how and hard work.
Previously known as ULCC, CoSector’s Digital Services offer leading edge IT solutions that empower people and drive change within the education market.
Blended learning – Did we forget about the students?
Free Education Webinar with Class
Wednesday, June 15, 11AM London BST
Join our expert panel as we look at what blended learning means in 2022 and how universities can meet the needs of ever more diverse student expectations.
Home > Comment > Business and Tech Transformation at the University of London
Advertisement
Advertisement
Business and Tech Transformation at the University of London
Joe Lawson-West
The University of London has recently undergone a digital transformation in order to create a more efficient and modern workplace. Through an ambitious programme of investment and development, known as Project Beveridge, the University of London was able to meet its target and objectives, which were as follows:
The importance of preparation
Not only did the project need preparation in order to arrange building permits and for blueprints to be drawn up, it needed time in order to prepare staff for the change. The University of London arranged several months of training; for example, staff were sent on workshops teaching them how to use their new computers, as well as being taught best practices for flexible working. They also had tours of the new areas and were kept up-to-date with the progress via e-newsletters and through the intranet. Preparation was incredibly important to the digital transformation process, as it helped ease staff into the change as well as allowing giving staff a voice to give feedback.
Results
After a few years in the making, moving day finally came. The lower ground floor of Senate House was transformed to include:
There was also a long list of technological changes that CoSector – University of London’s Digital Services department provided:
Advertisement
Reinforcing change
The university provided support, assistance and further training to all staff, as well as technical support from the Digital Services team. Communication was always open and still is today, which is a huge reason why the project has been a huge success. The staff adapted well to the changes due to the immense effort put into preparation, and the Digital Services team undertook a huge technical project that paid off due to their incredible technical know-how and hard work.
By Katherine Hockley
Learn more about CoSector’s Digital Services here.
About CoSector – University of London
Previously known as ULCC, CoSector’s Digital Services offer leading edge IT solutions that empower people and drive change within the education market.
Advertisement
PGRs ‘should be at the heart of academic workplace transformation’
A discussion paper considering how workplace space is designed and allocated for those undertaking a…
OfS student outcome measures ‘essential’ but only ‘part of the picture’
The interim chief executive of the Office for Students said she accepts the metrics the…
St Andrews’ vice-chancellor elected Universities Scotland convener
GuildHE urges UKRI to reform PGR funding structures
OfS probe quality of eight business and management courses
New facility boosts HE offer at Basingstoke College of Technology