Abstract
The University of Michigan's Information Technology Division (ITD) began its partnering efforts with one college of the University in 1991. This year, the lessons learned from that experience are being applied as ITD expands the partnership concept to other academic units. While the units' priorities are advanced and the University's IT capabilities are increased, the major benefit to ITD is an increased understanding of academic customers and the resulting ability to create "whole products" they will readily embrace.