New Year to Bring New Vision to Pitt Information Technology

Chief Information Officer and Vice Chancellor Mark Henderson has announced the first step in implementing a new vision and strategy for information technology at Pitt: the addition of the University’s Financial Information Systems (FIS) team to the information technology operations that includes Computing Services and Systems Development (CSSD).

The alignment—establishing Pitt Information Technology, or Pitt IT for short—is a step toward supporting the strategic goals of the University and is planned to begin taking shape early next year. 

“This is an important step in enhancing our ability to further the University’s strategic goals,” said Henderson. “Combining the deep talents of FIS and CSSD employees will create an organization that is stronger as one IT organization. Faculty, staff and students can look forward to a larger, more unified and coordinated information technology front in the coming year.”

The transformation will leverage FIS’ operations in supporting the University’s enterprise resource planning system, PRISM, which includes general ledger, research accounting, human resources and payroll. The team of 50 staff employees, led by Associate Vice Chancellor Monte Ciotto, also provides technical services and support to University business partners, including business and auxiliary services, facilities management, internal audit and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. 

“This integration creates exciting opportunities for our department and staff,” said Ciotto. “As we continue to provide the same high-level technical service and support to our University partners, we look forward to having an active role in shaping the operational excellence for IT at Pitt.”

Henderson oversees the nearly 250 full-time staff and 150 student staff that that manage Pitt's central IT functions and services. Their work includes networking, telecommunications, application development, information security, computing operations, end-user support and other technology-related areas across the University.

Henderson and Ciotto said that in the coming weeks, a transition team comprising staff members from FIS and CSSD will come together to help shape the transition.

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