Department Interviews - 1997

Interview with:  Mike Lewis
                 Business Affairs

Interview date:  1/16/97



1. Do you have plans for special initiatives and/or projects for the next 
   year that involve technology?

     Want to promote better office productivity using standard office 
     applications such as word-processing, spreadsheets, database management 
     and email. The computers will be Pentium class machines running Windows 
     '95. Also, SUNY Online is changing its interface and going to a GUI.  
     This will require the type of computers Business Affairs is purchasing.

     Sue Rimmer, the new purchasing agent, would like to provide a service 
     that allows the College to submit purchase requisitions electronically.  
     This  initiative could begin this calendar year.

     The office is interested in moving to a "paperless" environment in 
     which all document are stored and managed in a digital format.

     Still interested in using a calendaring system that will provide access 
     to college meetings/events and perform scheduling.  

     The office may set up a Windows NT server to provide shared access to 
     documents and to provide dial-in access to the office's computers.  
     Dial-in access for the campus is usually too busy to be depended upon.



2. What are your most important concerns and priorities for the next
   year?

     The #1 priority is to provide a computer and these applications for 
     every staff  member  of the department.

     The #2 priority is to obtain training on the applications above on a
     regular, on-going basis.  Half-day sessions might be the best format.


3. How can we improve our services and support to meet your needs? 

     Support from DC/TM is helpful and good.  John Flack and Andy Harradine
     generally provide most of the department's support.



4. Other items discussed:

     Mike is interested in video conferencing facilities we have on campus
     which could be used for participating in meetings off-campus.

     The department is working on setting up electronic funds transfers to 
     Citibank with encryption.  This should be ready by the end of the 
     semester.

     PACES will be a "point of banking" with links to Citibank that will
     allow anyone to pay their electric bills, telephone bills, etc.