COO update: system improvements - smarter systems, smoother operations

A common theme raised through staff forums and feedback channels is about the importance of having systems and processes that support our staff working together in new ways and in new structures. This is a perspective I fully share, and I am heartened by the Vice-Chancellor’s continued support for investment in the Digital Plan, even in these difficult financial circumstances.

This week I wanted to share some of the enhancements recently delivered through the Digital Plan, in partnership with stakeholders across the University, and acknowledge some of the recent challenges.

Supporting ANU Learning 

On 26 May, ANUHub was launched, offering a modern interface and improved workflows, allowing students to manage enrolments, grades, and personal information efficiently. This milestone was complemented by the rollout of the new learning management system, Canvas, which is now live for most courses. To support this transition, over 90 workshops have been delivered to College staff, complemented by a comprehensive suite of training resources, A new cloud-based printing system PaperCut is rolling out across the University, supporting smarter, more sustainable printing. And to further enhance our campus experience, we’re upgrading Wi-Fi infrastructure and targeting connectivity blackspots to deliver faster, more reliable Internet access.

Smarter Facilities Management on the Horizon 

Campus Environment is finalising a new Facilities Management System (FMS) that will eventually replace more than 10 legacy platforms managed ANU’s $3.5bn asset base. The integrated system will manage space, asset, and works, and will connect with core HR and Finance systems. Testing is underway, with rollout planned to commence this quarter. Key benefits include:

• Improved planning and forecasting tools for greater visibility of estate assets.
• Advanced notice of maintenance to help minimise disruptions.
• A mobile-friendly interface for easier access to services by internal and external teams.

New Travel Program Now Live

The University’s new Travel Program launched on 30 June, marking the culmination of two years of work. Key features include: · An upgraded internal travel website;

• A refreshed Travel Policy and Handbook,
• A new travel provider (ATPI), and
• An integrated online booking platform.

These improvements simplify the booking process, reduce administrative burden, and improve value for money. Early feedback has been positive, with staff reporting responsive service and international itineraries hundreds of dollars cheaper than online alternatives.

Uptake has been excellent, with over 400 staff attending training sessions to date. More sessions are scheduled throughout July and I encourage you to register now via the travel website. Self-help videos are also in development and will be available soon.

The above recent upgrades reflect our ongoing commitment to improving the staff and student experience at ANU. Thank you for your engagement and feedback as we continue this journey to make working and learning at ANU more streamlined, intuitive, and productive for all. For more updates on digital environment-related improvements at ANU, please follow the Digital Plan Hub and Bulletin on SharePoint.

Update on recent IT outages

Between May and July 2025, ANU experienced several major IT service disruptions that impacted critical infrastructure and applications.

Information Technology Services (ITS) really regret the inconvenience these disruptions caused the ANU community.

These incidents were caused by a combination of factors, including hardware failures, issues with software updates and human error. A comprehensive review uncovered that while each issue was addressed effectively, these events have underscored areas for improvement.

ITS continues to lead efforts to modernise the University’s network environment, which include addressing our ageing network infrastructure. Lessons learned from these incidents are directly informing future strategies to bolster system resilience and enhance service delivery. The University would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the ITS and Information Security Office (ISO) teams for working round-the-clock to diagnose these issues and restore services.