The Daily Bulletin Archive

The Information Technology Exchange Center (ITEC) is one of several special-purpose SUNY-wide organizations. More than 60 SUNY institutions work with ITEC, but only one—Buffalo State—is lucky enough to have it physically located on campus.

Formed in 1989, ITEC supports computer-related group activities to improve the quality, quantity, and cost-effectiveness of computing services for individual campuses and university-wide programs throughout SUNY. Michael Notarius, ’85, chief technology officer of ITEC, said the shared access to common software saves time and money for campuses that would otherwise provide programs independently. And ITEC’s location at Buffalo State, he said, offers the college added benefits.

“We’re a centralized clearinghouse for university-wide software and applications,” he said. “And since we’re located here at Buffalo State, we’re able to share data center facilities and mutually enhance the college’s existing technology.”

ITEC shares space with Computing and Technology Services in Twin Rise and has worked jointly with Buffalo State College to bring additional Internet network capabilities to both organizations. It manages ALEPH, the SUNY-wide library catalog database that powers theSUNYConnect program, for 54 campuses. It also hosts ANGEL and Banner for 26 campuses, including Buffalo State’s Banner system.

Don Erwin, senior associate vice president for information services and systems, found ITEC’s presence on campus especially valuable during the migration from STARS to Banner.

“The ITEC staff helped us to quickly learn how to navigate Banner,” he said. “They gave us added resources and expertise, which saved time and money.”

ITEC manages a variety of software used by Buffalo State faculty and staff, such as Opinio surveys, Oracle databases, and department-specific software that is part of the SUNY-wide Academic Software Initiative. It also provides backup servers for applications such as Banner.

Additionally, ITEC supplements other SUNY-wide programs, providing information technology services for SUNYConnect; the SUNY Center for Professional Development; the SUNY-wide Technology Contracts Program; the SUNY Learning Network, a campuswide support system for online classes; and the Student Information and Campus Administrative Systems (SICAS) Center, which provides software, service, and training for SunGard Higher Education products.

Training and education is as much a priority for ITEC as technological support. ITEC is a key player for three SUNY-wide conferences: the annual Conference on Instructional Technologies (CIT) for SUNY faculty and instructional support professionals; Wizard, which is typically held twice a year for a discussion of specific technology issues; and the SUNY Technology Conference (STC), an annual online conference.

ITEC’s 40 staff members are divided into three units: application services, administrative services, and systems and telecommunications support. While they focus on providing service across SUNY, they are also immersed in the Buffalo State community. A number of student interns are hired each semester, and the Ron Brown ITEC Scholarship fund has awarded a total of $5,500 to eight Buffalo State students since 2004.

Notarius, a graduate of Buffalo State’s computer information systems program, said he is happy that he and his staff are part of the Buffalo State community. He invites all faculty and staff to contact him anytime to find out more about ITEC. To reach ITEC’s main office, call 878-4832.