The University of Sheffield
Corporate Information and Computing Services

7 Information sharing

General principles

Information created in or imported into the University should be capable of being accessed from multiple platforms and applications, or transferred easily and without loss of accuracy or quality between them. Data should be held in as few locations and systems as possible, and ideally in a single logical location (with appropriate backups for security and resilience). Data should be capable of being accessed and manipulated in a user-friendly environment and with a user-friendly interface. Electronic sharing, processing and storage of information should be facilitated. Information and systems should be able to be accessed remotely.

Operational considerations

Provision of Web based interfaces to applications wherever possible, including Corporate Information Systems. Where web based delivery systems are not available, consideration should be given to how users of all platform, including remote users, will access information.

Integration of all Corporate Information Systems in one database.

Provision of a personalised portal to facilitate access to information and systems.

File incompatibility between different versions of software, and different software suites to be minimised.

Provision of high-speed links to external organisations and to other HE and research institutions.

Facilitation of group and collaborative working, including managing documents, schedules and workflow electronically.

Documentation