Information systems services department

The Information Systems Services Department (IS Service) is responsible for the development and implementation of strategy for our use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) systems.  IS Services provide staff and visitors with appropriate hardware, software, and associated infrastructure in support of the V&A’s strategic objectives. 

The work of the department falls into three broad areas: support, maintenance, and projects, which underpin the whole lifecycle of hardware and software services, from specification, through procurement, to installation, ongoing maintenance and support, and decommissioning.  

Currently IS Services support approximately 1,300 desktop devices running a diverse portfolio of over 230 applications. Other areas of responsibility include;  
•    Web hosting
•    Network and internet services
•    Business continuity planning
•    Process improvement
•    Mobile computing

The Principles underlying the delivery of IS Services at the V&A are:

1. Develop and  prioritise IT services to meet the Museum’s strategic objectives whilst ensuring that the provision of IT is both flexible and responsive as requirements change
2. Ensure appropriate availability, integrity, and security of information assets
3. Provide informative  IT services in a language which is readily understood by everyone
4. Employ modern, yet proven, technology to provide a robust, simple, adaptable, and consistent infrastructure
5. Utilize industry standards and best practice
6. Look to leverage existing systems before buying new, then use appropriate ‘shrink wrapped’ products, ensuring any enhancements remain within the primary supported product
7. Manage technology as a strategic investment
8. Provide an environment for technology related staff in which the cohort operates together, best practice is shared, and career development is a priority
9. Excite an appreciation of good design in everything we do

IS Services employ industry best practice, using the ITIL framework for IT Service Management  and the PRINCE2 framework for project and portfolio management. As a Non-Departmental Public Body, the V&A procures IT equipment following the guidelines published by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), making substantial savings through government, academic, and charity discount schemes and OGC Buying Solutions.

The V&A is a member of the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT Group Membership scheme and the Microsoft IT Academy Program, actively encouraging staff to pursue professional qualifications and accreditation.  In 2009 the work of IS Services was recognised in the award of a ComputerWorld Honors Laureate for their project on server and storage virtualisation in support of securely storing photographs associated with the V&A collections, whilst making them available to the general public through Search the Collections.