Shining a Light on the Business Transformation & Program Management Team
With 2025 underway, it's the perfect time to reflect on recent achievements and set the stage for continued innovation. Technology plays a vital role in supporting I&ITS projects and services that enhance teaching and research at UTM, and collaboration across teams is key to making it all happen.
The Business Transformation & Program Management (BT&PM) team has been instrumental in improving workflows, implementing new technology, and ensuring a seamless experience for faculty, staff, and students. Their work isn’t just about technology—it’s about enabling the UTM community to thrive.
Recent Achievements: A Team Effort
The BT&PM team, in collaboration with I&ITS, has played a crucial role in several strategic IT initiatives designed to enhance communication, security, and infrastructure at UTM.
Migrating VoIP Lines to Microsoft Teams
To modernize UTM’s phone system, 1,296 individual and 214 shared VoIP lines were migrated to Microsoft Teams Phone, replacing the outdated Communicator 7 soft client. This transition integrated U of T phone numbers into Teams and introduced advanced VoIP features like a dial pad and call management tools. The BT & PM team facilitated departmental audits, training, and coordination, through careful Project Planning and intense collaborating within IT and outward with our clients. The end result was a project completed on-time with a 25% cost savings for our campus partners per line.
SPINUP IT Onboarding Plan
Supporting U of T’s first wet lab incubator, the BT & PM team developed and implemented an IT onboarding guide for SPINUP startups. This guide outlined available IT services, security procedures, and service request management, streamlining IT support and ensuring startups could efficiently access the resources they needed to operate.
Lab Hardware and Software Refresh
To keep UTM’s learning environments up to date, the team worked collaboratively with Client Services to coordinate hardware and software upgrades across campus labs, including MCS and the Library. Using ServiceNow and Miro, they managed lease and license renewals, facilitated purchasing, scheduled installations, and streamlined the offloading of old equipment, ensuring a seamless transition.
UTORid Login Implementation
To enhance security and simplify access, UTORid authentication was introduced across UTM computers. The BT & PM team played a key role in managing backend updates, testing, documentation, and faculty and staff communication. Their oversight ensured a phased rollout with minimal disruptions, strengthening cybersecurity and preventing unauthorized access.
As Andy shares, “It’s not just about the systems we build—it’s about the possibilities we enable for our students, researchers, and staff.”
Innovation Through Collaboration
The BT & PM team continually explores tools and strategies to improve efficiency, collaboration, and project execution.
Miro for Project Planning
Miro provides an interactive, visual space for organizing complex projects, facilitating meetings, and ensuring seamless collaboration. One team member noted, “Miro has been a game-changer for tracking project details and ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.”
ServiceNow for Project & Program Management
ServiceNow enables structured project management through demand tracking, planning phases. It played a key role in coordinating the Microsoft Teams Phone migration by streamlining audits, user training, and phased rollouts.
By leveraging ServiceNow and Miro, the team efficiently tracks hardware/software upgrades, supports renovation projects, and ensures IT resources align with campus needs.
What’s Next in 2025?
The team will be supporting several major initiatives, including:
- Symplicity Advocate AIU Implementation – Launching in April 2025 to enhance case management across campus.
- Network Enhancements – Assisting with the Core Router upgrades, collaborating with Data Centre Operations, Network Engineering and Client Services.
- New Student Residence IT Planning – Ensuring a robust IT infrastructure for the new residence building.
Moving Forward Together
These projects are made possible by the collective efforts of the I&ITS team, and continued collaboration will be key to success.
As one team member put it, “Change is inevitable, but with the right approach, it becomes an opportunity for growth.”
A Spotlight on Teamwork
Our Spotlight Series recognizes the teamwork and expertise that keep UTM’s digital environment running smoothly. Each project reflects the dedication and problem-solving skills that drive progress.
As we move forward in 2025, let’s carry this momentum, embrace new challenges, and continue working together to support UTM’s evolving needs. Thank you to the Business Transformation & Program Management team and everyone in I&ITS—your contributions make all the difference!
