Softline helps KNITU become a digital university

2021: Start of implementation of integrated equipment and software monitoring system

Softline on December 7, 2021 announced the launch of a large-scale project to implement an integrated equipment and software monitoring system at the Kazan National Research Technological University (KNITU). The first pilot stage has already been completed, during which experts from the global provider analyzed the university's infrastructure, and also configured the processes for finding, detecting and monitoring the university's IT assets. It is expected that the implemented system will subsequently allow KNITU to conduct not only accounting and inventory of assets, but also eliminate the risk of excessive costs for unused software and devices. This approach will make it possible to more effectively solve current problems as part of the implementation of the university's digital transformation strategy. The project was launched thanks to the Digital Technologies consortium concluded by Softline and KNITU with the aim of jointly developing and introducing new digital solutions in the field of chemistry and petrochemistry.

KNITU plans to become one of the centers of scientific, technological and socio-economic development of the country. Obviously, for this it is necessary to create a single digital educational environment, ensuring the digitalization of all processes. Since the university has a geographically distributed structure, in the main buildings and branches there is a large number of server and telecommunications equipment, workstations, various software, therefore, first of all, it was necessary to strengthen control over these assets. The management of KNITU turned to its service partner - Softline - and set the task to record and systematize all the software and hardware used. As a result of joint work, the introduction of an automated system for monitoring the IT assets of the university was launched.

{{quote'At the start of the project, at a limited section of the customer's infrastructure, we performed pilot testing of a system selected taking into account the specifics of the university. The implementation is scheduled to be completed in 2022. At this stage, Softline experts conducted a survey of the IT resources of KNITU, determining the number of software and various devices and the degree of their wear. Often in educational institutions of this scale, it is difficult to track how equipment "moves" from the moment of purchase to its write-off. The monitoring system allows solving this problem at the program level, and the methodology developed as part of the work (which will be transferred to the university staff) will ensure the effectiveness of management. As a result, all used IT resources will be catalogued and added to the updated database. At the next stage, we will provide direct control and delivery of applications to end users in accordance with the standards approved in KNITU. As a result, the university will be able to increase the transparency of processes, the effectiveness of IT asset management and strengthen control over IT costs, "said Pavel Puchkov, head of the asset management solutions development department of the Softline business consulting department. }}

We expect that after the deployment of the ITAM system by the Softline team, we will be able to completely avoid inefficient use of equipment and software and entrench the practice of controlling and managing IT assets at the university. As a result of the project, we expect to receive a single system containing all the necessary information about software and hardware. The automated monitoring system allows you to keep records of licenses, track the number and dates of software installations, the last launch time, average usage time, license rights and other parameters. By providing comprehensive accounting and control, we will be able to develop a roadmap for the transition to domestic software and begin to implement a strategy of import independence. Already now we see the economic efficiency of this approach - optimization of IT costs allows us to direct the saved budget funds to further digitalization of the university. We are confident that thanks to the support of our service partner Softline, the digital transformation of KNITU will take place consistently and systematically and will achieve our main goal - to become a world-class university of chemical and technological profile, - said Yuri Berkman, Director of Digital Technologies and Administrative Services of KNITU.