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Systems Support Users
Group Minutes |
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Systems Support Users
Group Minutes |
Altiris -
Ballard started the meeting with an update on Altiris. Altiris is a workstation lifecycle management system. The idea was created about 8 years ago and has been tested and researched. The end user will not be effected or notice a change only a different icon on the desktop. Altiris will help management of all areas supported in; ability to remote in quicker and allow shared control, create and maintain more accurate inventory, help with logging in of incidents, driven by database that will be available to HelpDesk and ultimately make upgrades quicker and more accurate. Altiris is planned to go live July 17th.
HelpDesk for System Support opened March 6th. Altiris will be a big help with the HelpDesk.
Calendaring –
Eric talked about the university calendaring system. After long debate, the Tech Council proposal to use Exchange (Outlook) as the single university wide calendaring system is in the hands of the VP’s. Those with Outlook currently will not notice a change. Operations of Exchange will be moving to CTSG.
Implementation by July 1, 2007.
Outlook training planned for advance sessions. Topics to be covered include (but not limited to)…custom views/Toolbars, reading panes/views, sorting messages, additional shortcuts, searching, distribution listings, rules and alerts, filtering, review junk mail, archiving, stationary, public folders, creating tasks and more.
Scheduling of the training sessions to be created shortly.
Microsoft SharePoint –
Dudley presented a demo on Share Point, the next form of collaborative computing. “Any team – Any Project” Share Point is a way a department can create a better way of working together and sharing of files. It can be configured any way you want to fit your needs. It is highly modular, easy to use, can be assessed from any Internet connection and is similar to public folders but more expanded. System Support creates the site and then assigns an administrator (with in the department) for the department. The administrator then can give individuals ability to join and give read-only or read-write abilities to the individual. More expanded demo at a later date.
Eric – Tried something new this year to get a discount on computers through Dell. Several departments met and agreed to 3 configurations and ordered around 400 computers. Due to the quantity, they received a great price break, but now System Support has a logistical problem to get the computers deployed out to the departments. They may assign a student to work on the computers at the warehouse to get computers deployed.
Eric is trying to get better deals on the computers through Dell and will try to consolidate the orders to allow for larger quantity at lower prices. This will need to be done 2 – 3 times per year to eliminate the logistical nightmare of deploying the computers. By getting better deals on the computers, Systems will be allowed to buy bulk purchases of other items, i.e. monitor cleaners.
The monitor cleaners for flat panels and laptops would be distributed to each area supported and assigned to a point of contact within that department.
New computers/Software –
Ballard brought along the new computer configurations for the tower and laptops from Dell.
Upcoming software changes (possible summer 2007) – new operating system called Microsoft Vista (a Mac look) and Office 2007. Office 2007 is significantly different. No classic view available, dynamic ribbons, same software bundle plus new ones.
RightFax 9.0 coming soon.
AIS reorganization –
AIS has lost 4 of 6 managers over the last 6 months due to leaves and job duties change. Effective July 1st - Systems Support will expand to create all systems administration, including the Mainframe and Datatel, under a single umbrella. The reorganization is being done in two phases; System Administration and Application Development. This can create new opportunities for AIS to create ultimate customer service. Due to more shifts available, a 24 hour HelpDesk might be possible.
Misc. -
TechZone will be moving to the west lounge of Bone Student Center. A computer repair center will also open repairing mostly student laptops.
Submitted by: Mark Schopp