KU News Release

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas officials have announced two new technology contracts that will save hundreds of thousands of dollars a year over older information infrastructure purchasing and cable television arrangements.

The institution-wide contract with Oracle will allow the Lawrence campus and KU Medical Center to coordinate planning, purchasing and service delivery of database programs and software licensing that support academic, administrative and business applications at KU. A cable television contract with Apogee will save KU nearly $200,000 over its previous contract.

“These contracts will not only save money for the University of Kansas, they will benefit the state,” said Denise Stephens, vice provost for information services and chief information officer. “By coordinating our efforts throughout the university we’ll be able to provide the best possible technological assets while making sure state financial resources are used in a highly efficient, responsible manner.”

The Oracle agreement is a three-year, $2.8 million contract. The agreement is projected to enable savings of nearly 90 percent in related hardware costs, reduce administrative management costs and provide enhanced operating efficiencies for database administrators on both campuses. The integrated campus licensing and service also provides a better product for the university. New database products will feature enhanced information security with data encryption capabilities, will enable more efficient integration of database systems and will provide reliable product maintenance and service support for users throughout the university.

Stephens said the first-ever intercampus agreement with Oracle potentially could reduce hardware costs by enabling smaller servers to operate in clusters, which cost less to replace.

“A university-wide agreement such as this is an excellent example of what can be achieved when all parties truly work together,” said Barbara Atkinson, interim chancellor. “KU may have more than one campus, but we all have the same mission of providing the best possible teaching and research. I commend all who have played a part in improving the university’s technological resources and efficiency, which play no small role in helping reach our full potential.”

KU also agreed to a contract with cable television provider Apogee, which will cost about half of what KU paid previously while increasing channels offered. The total price of the contract is just under $200,000. Apogee will provide campus cable television subscribers, primarily located in student housing, with an additional 20 channels not previously available, including two channels in Chinese and Spanish. Student housing residents determined the available channels.

Both new contracts resulted from Initiative One, an effort launched by Information Services in 2008 to identify savings and efficiencies in purchasing and delivery of information technology services throughout the university.