MSU IT’s recent move to the Angell Building is already paying off. One clear example is being close to FlexHub, a centralized inventory and warehouse model that is helping staff get equipment faster, work more efficiently, and better support the university.
Not long ago, IT equipment was stored in different places across campus, with uneven processes for tracking, access, and storage. That made it harder to see what was on hand, slowed down work, and increased the risk of surplus and loss.
Today, FlexHub changed that.
Built through a partnership among MSU IT, Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF), and IPF Stores and Logistics, FlexHub gives the university a centralized approach to inventory and warehouse management that is improving daily operations and earning national recognition.
Located in warehouse space connected to IPF in the Angell Building, FlexHub has also become one of the practical benefits of MSU IT’s recent move there. With staff now working nearby, access to inventory and equipment is faster, easier, and better aligned with day-to-day operations.
“This partnership allows us to use our inventory management expertise so IT colleagues can focus on their work without worrying about inventory,” said Sara Weeden, project administrator with IPF Stores and Logistics. “They now have a single location where they can get what they need.”
Inventory is now received, barcoded, categorized, and tracked in one system, with regular equipment and supply counts to ensure teams have what they need to support MSU, and also maintain accuracy acrossmillions of dollars in assets.
“We created efficiency and then trust,” said Masoud Javadi, IPF warehouse services manager. “Once teams follow the process, they see it works better for everyone.”
Now in its third year, FlexHub stores nearly $10 million in IT inventory with a year-end discrepancy of less than $200.
The location matters. With FlexHub inside the IPF warehouse and close to MSU IT’s new home in the Angell Building, staff can often pick up equipment on foot instead of coordinating longer trips across campus. That convenience has made the move to Angell a clear operational win.
“One of the biggest benefits is that we now have walk-in access to the FlexHub,” said Ben O’Brien, MSU IT senior manager of infrastructure and technology. “The close proximity has been one of the biggest advantages of moving to Angell.”
“It has been great to see all of the new faces in IT at the Angell Building,” said Susan Fennel, IPF Logistics Operations Supervisor. “It’s really brought a new energy to the building.”
FlexHub supports centralized receiving, project kitting, delivery coordination, asset tagging, and temporary storage, reducing logistical overhead so IT staff can stay focused on delivering technology and support.
“Communication has improved, and teams can easily come over and connect with the space,” Javadi said.
Since its launch, FlexHub has expanded to support multiple MSU IT teams and a wide range of technologies. In 2025, the project received the Innovation Award from the University Logistics and Supply Chain Association for its collaborative approach and measurable impact. The model could also extend beyond MSU IT. By pairing shared expertise with shared space, FlexHub shows how better processes and the right location can improve service, reduce waste, and support staff more effectively.
More than a warehouse, FlexHub shows what can happen when strong partnerships and the move to the right space come together to help MSU IT work better.
