Colleague Connection: Connecting our Digital Backbone
Distributed Applications Platform Services (DAPS) is a dedicated group within Cyberinfrastructure (CI) that specializes in developing, managing, and supporting the University’s enterprise-level application platforms. We asked Robert Moore, the manager of DAPS, to share how his team ensures seamless integration, robust performance, and innovative solutions for the diverse platforms that enhance academic and administrative functions at Northwestern.
What is the role of DAPS?
DAPS is a team within the Platform Services unit in Cyberinfrastructure, and our director is Steve Kwak. We provide installation, configuration, and upgrade services to enterprise applications like CAESAR, NUFinancials, and myHR, and help design new environments while ensuring stable operations for non-production and production environments.
Consider us the Platform Services team liaison that partners with application owners to deploy and configure their application software on top of a server's operating system, configure the servers to communicate efficiently and securely across web, application, and database tiers, and deliver the full application solution to our students, faculty, and staff.
Who are the team members, and what are their functions?
Our team of system administrators and system engineers (Wil Tumbaga, Darryl Baker, Matt Cantrell, James Neal, and Lulu Ivy) ensure that enterprise applications are designed, deployed, and maintained effectively to support business needs and provide a reliable, scalable, and secure platform for users.
DAPS and DBA teams share a moment at an end-of-year celebration in 2023. From left to right: Lulu Ivy (DAPS), Steve Kwak (CI-PS), Kurt J Peight (DBA), Jack Song (DBA), Matt Cantrell (DAPS), Wil Tumbaga (DAPS), Darryl Baker (DAPS), John Llanes (DBA/DAPS). Robert Moore (DAPS) and James Neal (DAPS) are not pictured.
How does the team engage with University business partners to ensure that our cyberinfrastructure services meet their needs?
Our primary goal is to build strong relationships and collaborate with business partners to understand their needs and deliver reliable, efficient solutions. This includes:
- Partnering with colleagues to upgrade and maintain systems (e.g., CAESAR, myHR, NUFinancials, OnBase, Tableau).
- Adhering to security best practices by working with the Platform Services Infrastructure team and the Information Security Office to ensure enterprise applications are configured and managed securely and receive the latest security patches.
- Implementing standardization and automation best practices and providing self-service portals for our colleagues, enhancing efficiency.
- Collaborating with various schools, departments, and researchers to establish encrypted file transfer environments.
Our job is to keep the systems operational and minimize service interruptions to our customer base.
In most cases, requests for new hardware, new environments, and software upgrades and patches come directly from our information technology partners. When we receive those requests, we work hand-in-hand with our Cyberinfrastructure colleagues to deliver them.
For example, when a new version of PeopleSoft is released, it impacts services like CAESAR, NUFinancials, and myHR. We work with service owners to gather the requirements for the new version and pass them on to the Platforms Infrastructure team, who builds the virtual hardware, including memory, storage, and any other supporting tools needed. DAPS then configures the operating system and installs and configures the new software version, including any plugins the application may need to operate efficiently.
We work closely with Telecommunications and Networking Services (TNS) to fulfill networking requests to ensure that we understand what those environments connect to and the firewall rules that must be established to allow that connectivity.
Also, there is no application without a database layer; the data must sit somewhere. We ensure the Database Administration (DBA) team has the requirements to create new and maintain existing database solutions (Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and PostgreSQL). Finally, we build the lower-level test, production, and recovery (failover) environments to ensure service continuity.
How does DAPS ensure the security and compliance of the cyberinfrastructure systems you manage?
We ensure security and compliance through the following:
- Regular patching
- Identity and Access Management, including the utilization of security solutions (e.g., CyberArk)
- Quarterly Audits
- Documentation Reviews (e.g., Data Stewardship Review)
- Delivering software and hardware upgrades in close collaboration with vendors and internal IT teams while strictly adhering to security compliance protocols to ensure that all updates meet industry standards and protect our organization's data integrity
We receive notices directly from our vendors or a service owner when a software or operating system security patch or bug fix has been released. Most are applied routinely. However, if the risk associated with the patch is high, we consult with the Information Security Office to determine whether it is critical to immediately apply the patch and prevent any data exposure or system compromise.
What are some of the challenges your team faces?
The most pressing challenge in technology today is the constant demand to deliver superior results with increasingly limited resources. This requires innovative strategies, meticulous execution, and exceptional project management to balance workloads and meet tight deadlines without compromising quality.
But our team is always looking for solutions. A recent CAESAR upgrade experienced an issue involving the Oracle software. Many of our peer institutions use Oracle and were experiencing the same problem. Our team was committed to finding a solution, which we shared with other universities.
Technology thrives on freedom and innovation; cultivating a team with diverse perspectives is essential for driving productivity and success. An open, collaborative mindset is crucial for navigating challenges and achieving our goals. I am especially proud of our team’s diversity and their ability to embrace differences while respectfully challenging one another, all in pursuit of exceeding our customers’ expectations."
Manager, Distributed Applications Platform Services
What is your superpower?
I am a chameleon! I can adapt to any situation and endeavor to best meet its requirements by building relationships, keeping the team focused on our goals, and meeting the needs of our customers. My desire is to contribute and effectuate change within my sphere of influence.