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The University at Albany<\/a> (UAlbany) and Hudson Valley Community College (Hudson Valley) have formalized an agreement to share information technology (IT) services and facilities. UAlbany and Hudson Valley are the first of SUNY’s 64 campuses to share IT facilities, and the initiative is expected to lead to additional shared opportunities.<\/p>\n The schools will serve as each other’s secondary data centers under an agreement signed Oct. 4 by presidents Robert J. Jones of UAlbany and Andrew J. Matonak of Hudson Valley.<\/p>\n UAlbany will move its back-up physical and virtual servers, and network equipment, to the community college by the end of this year. The University will provide reciprocal services to Hudson Valley when its new data center facility opens in 2014.<\/p>\n “We\u2019re living in the digital age, and it\u2019s critical to maintain computer information and services around the clock,” Matonak said. “Hudson Valley is delighted to partner with UAlbany as leaders in SUNY\u2019s shared services initiative that\u2019s enhancing efficiency and saving money.”<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a win-win for our institutions,\u201d said Jones. \u201cBoth UAlbany and Hudson Valley will have safe and efficient IT backup sites, and the blending of resources complements Chancellor Zimpher’s overall plan for schools to share physical facilities and services.”<\/p>\n UAlbany\u2019s Chief Information Officer Christine Haile agreed. \u201cHaving a secondary facility at an off-site location is very important economically, and is a best practice for each of the campuses.\u201d<\/p>\n Haile and Hudson Valley\u2019s CIO Steve Chen were honored by SUNY with the University Award for Systemness Innovation during a recent shared services conference in New Paltz.<\/p>\n Since launching a shared services initiative in August 2011 under SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, the 64 campuses of the state university system have partnered to generate a net savings of more than $20 million. The funds are being reinvested in growing academic and student services, such as expanded course offerings and full-time faculties, and support of on-time degree completion.<\/p>\n As part of the agreement, a dedicated fiber link between the two campuses will be installed by First Light Fiber, formerly Tech Valley Communications.<\/p>\n In addition to the Times Union<\/a>, many media outlets picked up the story:<\/p>\n Associated Press<\/a> (AP)<\/p>\n Bradenton Herald<\/a><\/p>\n Center for Digital Education<\/a><\/p>\n The Chronicle of Higher Education<\/a><\/p>\n Community College Times<\/a><\/p>\n Enquirer Herald<\/a><\/p>\n The Gazette<\/a><\/p>\n HispanicBusiness.com<\/a><\/p>\n IthacaJournal.com<\/a><\/p>\n Miami Herald<\/a><\/p>\n Merced Sun-Star<\/a><\/p>\n NorthJersey.com<\/a><\/p>\n SunHerald.com<\/a><\/p>\n