Funding extension for the NGS

The NGS is currently in its third phase of funding which is due to end on the 31st of March 2011.  However we are delighted to announce that JISC have agreed to fund a 6 month extension taking the current duration of funding up until the 30th of September 2011 and aligning the NGS with the broader JISC services portfolio.  The 6 month extension will see the NGS laying the foundations of a new model of service.

Dr Neil Geddes, Director of the NGS announced the news and added “We are clearly delighted with this continuing support from JISC. We will be working closely with them through the Service Portfolio Review in early 2011 to help define the longer term roadmap for the NGS service”.

During the next year there will be changes taking place at the NGS and it is important that our users are involved in these changes and are kept informed every step of the way.  We have recently launched the annual NGS user survey and this year, perhaps more than any other, it is vital that we receive your input.

The user survey asks about several possible changes to the services that the NGS currently provides and the impact that changing these services would have for our users.  For example the withdrawal of free compute and data resource.  We would also like to know what services NGS users see as essential such as the helpdesk, grid certificate management and training.  The results of the user survey will be fed directly into our funding bid for NGS 4 which will reflect the wishes and needs of our user community.

All completed user surveys will be entered into a draw to win one of 3 Amazon vouchers.