The transformation of the information system is part of the ambitions of IRD’s COP, in line with its Strategic Direction Plan. The objective of the approach initiated by IRD in 2018 is to define IRD’s 10-year digital strategy and implement it operationally over 5 years via the implementation of a 2019-2023 Digital Master Plan.
IRD is accompanied by the Agence de Mutualisation des Universités and des Établissements (AMUE or shared-services agency for universities and higher education and research institutions) and the Reseau National de télécommunications pour la Technologie, l’Enseignement et la Recherche (RENATER or National telecommunications network for Technology, Education and Research), who contribute their expertise in shared services and the management of complex IS projects.
The final version of IRD’s digital strategy was presented at the Board meeting of March 2019.
IRD’s resource allocation request process was digitalised using the DAM application. This application was enriched with new features to optimise the arbitration process. This new tool helped refocus arbitration decisions within the establishment’s governance. This approach is used to control the deployment of IRD’s resources, taking the establishment’s specific characteristics into account, such as the large number of expatriate staff.
In addition to the DAM solution, the IRDLAB data portal was created to enable the exploitation of IRD’s research activity and its extension to the Global South. This tool presents data relating to IRD’s personnel, structures as well as mechanisms and partnerships. It provides a geolocation vision. The tool was technically launched in December 2018. A broader announcement will be made in the first quarter of 2019.
The MAP (moyens d’aide au pilotage or steering support resources) decision-making information system was enriched with new features: monitoring of human resources, missions, contracts, agreements and bibliometrics, while its performance was enhanced to take into account the growing number of users. A dynamic dashboard prototype was created to monitor research activities.
With the DAM, IRDLab and MAP tools, IRD is bridging the gap in terms of establishment governance devices. DAM and IRDLab tools are developed in conjunction with AMUE (Agence de Mutualisation des Universités et des Etablissements or shared-services agency for universities and higher education and research institutions). This approach contributes to the development of SILabo tools (DIALOG or CAPLAB for example). IRD tools should ultimately be fully aligned with shared tools.
IRD spearheaded the integration project into the international network of scientific data platforms, DATAVERSE, coordinated by Harvard University, where researchers can upload and document their data (metadata and unique digital identifier such as DOI). The project is conducted as part of the roadmap of the Digital Infrastructure and Data Mission (MIDN). The service should be operational in the first semester of 2019.
A range of services is being developed to host the servers of the CINES units. It will host the units’ first servers in the first semester of 2019.
The project for the revamping of IRD’s website has been initiated, and a draft version will be available for the 75th anniversary of the IRD in February 2019.
The equipment and infrastructures required for the experimental introduction of teleworking have been implemented. 200 staff were provided with teleworking equipment.
An electronic voting solution was put in place for the first time for the personnel elections organised in 2018 (CAP or Joint administrative committee, CCP or Joint advisory committee and CTEP or Public establishment technical committee), which probably explains the very good turnout for these elections compared with other EPST elections.
New communication solutions are being envisaged to improve user experience by providing users with a common interface for all their communication tools. They will be rolled out gradually in 2019.
Une démarche exploratoire sur de nouvelles solutions de communication, visant à améliorer l’expérience utilisateur en lui fournissant une interface commune pour tous ses outils de communication, a été lancée. Elle sera généralisée progressivement en 2019.
5400 IS users – IRD agents or otherwise – use the email service. 40 million emails were exchanged over the IRD platform in 2018, of which 28 million were outgoing. The user service centre was called 21,500 times, mainly on SIFAC (user assistance and incidents).
A partnership agreement between IRD and the French Development Agency (AFD) was signed to support the NREN (National Research and Education Network) in Côte d’Ivoire, RITER.
Deduction at source: Regulatory changes in terms of deduction at source were implemented in the human resources’ information system.
Improve IS security and the running of services: IRD redefined and modernised the creation process of computer accounts giving access to the information system. A specific interface was developed to enable the automatic creation of accounts after validation. The system improves the processing time, traceability and security of actions.
IRD initiated a GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) compliance process, which will notably encompass existing measures and processes relating to information system security (identification of sensitive data and processes, risk analysis, specific contract terms).
Develop and maintain communication methods: The implementation of a fibre-optic network on two sites in Benin and on the Bobo-Dioulasso site in Burkina Faso helped improve Internet connection capacity.
The contract with the global operator providing Internet access to IRD sites was renewed.