BYOC

Anytime Anywhere Access

Leigh Haynes , , , , , , ,

At the beginning of February, after finally resolving the complexities of software licensing, we quietly opened up access to the Cloud Desktop from personally owned computers and devices. Now it is possible for both students and staff to connect to the Cloud Desktop from their own computer or device both remotely when off-campus and on-campus wherever there is Wi-Fi coverage. This important milestone now delivers on the promise of anytime anywhere access, meaning that students can access IT resources whenever (and wherever) they need.

We have already seen a wide range of devices connect including Windows PCs, Apple Macs, iPads and Android devices. To help people get connected we have produced a Connectivity Guide which includes step-by-step videos detailing exactly what you need to do. If you are not using Windows you will need to purchase some client connection software. For more details check out the guide at the ICT Support Desk.

Following this “soft launch” the service will now be promoted to students and staff through a variety of communication channels.

Previously on…

Leigh Haynes , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Windows LogoHere is a brief summary of the work completed so far on the Windows 7 & Office 2010 project.

In February 2011, ICT Services selected Centralis as a consultancy partner to help us work through the many design and technology choices and develop our desktop transformation strategy.

In April, a number of interviews and workshops were held to identify the requirements of particular stakeholders. These requirements were analysed and used to develop an initial high-level design and budgetary report.

The report, which gave recommendations as to possible technology solutions, was submitted to the University’s Infrastructure Committee in May. The Committee asked ICT Services to run a very small scale proof of concept which will allow us to test some of the different technologies available in various usage scenarios.

These proof of concept environments have now been built and will soon be made available to a small group of test users. We are trialling two different technology solutions; Citrix XenApp and Microsoft Remote Desktop Services. Both of which will allow you to connect to a Windows 7 & Office 2010 desktop from a variety of devices regardless of location. This includes the PC or Mac on your desk at work, your laptop, your computer at home, thin client devices and even on some mobile devices such as the iPad.

In the background we will also be trialling some other supporting technologies; AppSense Environment Manager which provides enhanced user personalisation, and Microsoft App-V which enables more agile application deployment.

The next stage of the project aims to capture the end user experience of using the proposed solutions to help inform which, if any, might be the best fit for the University.