Systems Liaison Tasks
Hardware Installation and Tracking
Physically managing all hardware: computers, scanners, barcode readers, etc.-- anything with a WSID number on it.
This involves a variety of tasks:
- Picking up a new workstation from the Systems department (or one that has returned from repairs)
- Setting up a new workstation or one that has been reformatted
- Switching out hardware components
- Migrating users from old workstations to new ones
- Connecting devices to electrical outlets and network jacks
- Relocating devices within the department or between departments
- Taking devices to the Systems department for repair
We are required to keep track of all WSID's in our domain. We do this by creating and maintaining a hardware database: a Microsoft Access MDB file located at \\Smathersnt12\dlcdocs\DLCSystems\Databases\computers.mdb.
Software Installation and Tracking
Installing, uninstalling and reinstalling software, updates and upgrades.
Creating and maintaining a database of all licensing agreements and all media with a PKID on it, and on which workstations such software is installed.
Security
The physical security of hardware and media in the department.
Network security functions: software patches, virus scanning, etc. Sometimes a patch (like a Windows critical update) will have to be done immediately. The Systems department will be explicit about this when it occurs, and it must be done immediately- to the exclusion of all else- not just ASAP.
Troubleshooting
Basic troubleshooting for every person and every device every hour of every day.
When the problem cannot be solved in-house then the next step is to send an email to syshelp. Is it not unusual to have to send several of these a day, though personally, I've never had to send more than four in one hour.
Once filed, that Trouble Ticket has your name on it, making you the primary contact, whether you actually know anything about the problem or not.
You can keep track of the progress of all Trouble Tickets through the Trouble Ticket viewer.
Monthly meetings
Schedlue 2:00pm to 3:00pm of the first Thursday of every month for a meeting of the Systems liaisons. Good times for all.
Further
For a fuller discussion of the history and purpose of the liaison program, see the Systems Department's Systems Liaison Program Description.
