Aberdeen Metropolitan Area Network

AbMAN Information

For Download (pdf)

Management of AbMAN

The Aberdeen Metropolitan Area Network was set up in 1995 to deliverer JANET services to a number of educational and research institutions in the Aberdeen Area. A Management Committee was set up to oversee the planning and development of the MAN, and a Technical Group was established to provide technical advice to the Management Committee and to carry out the actual implementation of developments on the MAN. In 1998 the Members agreed that AbMAN should be incorporated as a limited company, primarily to provide a more formal structure under which to manage the network, and to share the risks and responsibilities of running the venture. Finally incorporated in September 2001, AbMAN Limited has been structured as a company limited by guarantee, whose members are largely the same participating members as those who connected to the AbMAN network immediately prior to its incorporation. Aberdeen City Council receives services as a third party. AbMAN Ltd is under contract to ja.net to provide services for eligible sites. A Board of Directors, Management Advisory Group and Technical Advisory Group were set up, and AbMAN Limited has formally contracted with Aberdeen University to act as the Operating Agent.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the operation of AbMAN Limited, including key policy decisions and key strategic decisions for the future growth of AbMAN and range of services to be provided. It has ultimate responsibility for the financial performance of AbMAN Limited including the approval of member contributions. Every member of AbMAN Limited is entitled to nominate one Director to sit on the Board with equal voting rights. Members are not represented by the Directors - the Directors act on behalf of the Company. The Board gives formal approval for:

• variable annual subscription from each body receiving services.

• admission of new Members and grounds for expulsion.

• technical and operating procedures (including Members' technical responsibilities)

Management Advisory Group

The Management Advisory Group has responsibility for the overall management and service provision of AbMAN and for making recommendations to the Board of Directors on matters of policy and on the development of AbMAN Ltd services. Each participating organisation (i.e. Members of AbMAN Limited and those organisations who receive services from AbMAN Limited as third parties) may nominate a voting representative to sit on the Management Advisory Group. The representative may or may not be a Director but should be able to represent the interests of their institute. The MAG may co-opt other individuals onto the Group from time to time, or invite people to attend for specific issues, but there is only one voting representative per institution. The Operating Agent is represented by the voting member of the organisation providing Operating Agent Services. The Group has the following remit:

• to consider the performance of the Operating Agent in delivering services, and to liaise with the Operating Agent any actions required on specific issues.

• to receive reports from the Technical Advisory Group and the Operating Agent on the use of the network;

• in conjunction with the TAG, to develop and approve upgrade plans, minor reconfiguration and development plans for the services and facilities provided by AbMAN. These may be in response to specific technical issues, growth of the network or services, or to address identified risks. Where there are financial or contractual implications, however, these must be endorsed by the Board of Directors.

• to approve procedures for the operational implementation of services.

• to approve the design and content of the AbMAN Limited Web Site.

• to approve and manage publicity and other activities for AbMAN Limited.

• to determine the membership of the Technical Advisory Group.

Technical Advisory Group

The Technical Advisory Group reports to the Management Advisory Group and is represented at the MAG Committee meetings. It comprises at least one representative expert appointed by each voting organisation, with powers of co-option as necessary. The Operating Agent is represented on the TAG by the voting member of the organisation providing Operating Agent Services. The Group has the following functions.

• to advise the MAG on the provision and development of AbMAN services.

• in accordance with policies defined by the Board of Directors, plan and be responsible for the implementation/development of the network in consultation with the Operating Agent.

• to carry out a Risk Assessment and Disaster Recovery Plan; to maintain these on an annual basis and to make recommendations to the MAG on any action required.

• to discuss and agree minor technical upgrades or reconfigurations to support the ongoing delivery of AbMAN Services

• To report to the MAG on the performance of AbMAN Ltd suppliers in meeting their obligations and to bring recommendations on potential alternative arrangements (e.g. change to hours of cover, provision of spare parts, change of supplier).

• the TAG shall be represented at MAG meetings, and shall make formal reports to the Committee.

• The TAG shall comprise one technical expert appointed by each voting member organisation, and shall have the power to co-opt as appropriate