This form is used to engage any outside support, consultant or external firm (or individual) that requires any access to systems or data that are managed by Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Data definitions and common coding standards are essential for making data readily available across all IT systems.  The guide outlines the norms and expectations for district staff, as well as outside partners.

The annual rollover is a vital component for year-to-year operations within our district.  Being familiar with our procedures is important for any school, program or departmental lead.  

Our external web tools and technologies are vast.  Understanding their purpose and the direct ownership of content is important.  While IT maintains the technical aspect of the platforms, the content and quality of updates are widely distributed responsibilities.  

Our district maintains a lot of vital business and academic data.  Understanding the rights, responsibilities and norms for data back-up and recovery are important for our end-users.  Knowing what we can, cannot and will not restore are items covered in this outline.  

A portion of the district's IT responsibilities rests in security and monitoring safe operations for our computers, network, learning and business environments.  At times, we are either asked to perform an IT Investigation or are warranted to do so based on some recognized safety risk.  This document outlines common IT processes and norms that govern our investigation work.  

Understanding the hardware purchasing process is vital for schools, departments and district staff.  The centralized IT department supports instructional technology investments and planning, but departmental purchases or additions into what is already provided is a managed process that falls into purchasing and planning norms.  This document outlines that process.  

The central IT support group supports a large collection of school and department technologies.  However, given the range of equipment on the market, central IT cannot support any and all technologies.  "Bring Your Own Devices" (BYOD) initiatives, employee purchased equipment, partner technologies, or aged equipment are a few categories of where central IT cannot support all hardware in our schools.  This document outlines those details.  

Our support team has 2 primary tiers - Tier 1, our Call Center who aims to be the single source of inquiry with a goal of solving a large portion of questions on the first inuiry and Tier 2, our Field Technicians who are dispatched to support repairs or software support onsite.  This document outlines our common reporting norms for this group.  

This document covers the expected support closure rate and times for all escalated issues and support needs.

Many of our curriculum and business operations tools are online programs or forms.  While IT maintains the swift and consistent availability of these services, IT is not the lead owner for most of them.  This document outlines specific leads for each application and technology process.  

How long the district maintains, archives and is able to restore data is a vital need that our end-users must be aware of and understand their responsibility in safe and consistent data operations and information retention.  

New applications and IT services are on the market every week.  While there are many advantages to new software, it is vital to document why a new software investment is made, its impact on instruction and business and the true strategy to implement any application successfully and to support it successfully.  This document covers all required details for an new software investment.  

Remote access of servers or applications that are to be used by non-district employees or groups requires a Virtual Private Network account.  This form governs the creation and monitoring of such accounts and must be submitted with a signed Confidentiality Agreement OIT_001

This form must accompany any Board Tab for school-based hardware or any purchase of non-supported hardware.  

Necessary for system access for non-PPS staff / partners, consultants or community supports.  

This guidelines helps set expectations for what is typically available and unavailable for summer programming.

The Supported Software Applications and Tools list is a resource for school leaders, teachers, district administrators, and support staff to let them know what software, apps, and other technology solutions are supported and recommended.