Location Independent Working

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.

Cloud Desktop

Leigh Haynes , , , , , ,

As we approached go live, we realised that we needed a name for this new desktop service. It didn’t seem right just to call it “The Windows 7 Desktop”, as the anytime, anywhere, centralised approach we have taken offers so much more than the traditional name implies. Also, although the technical solution currently provides a Windows 7 experience with Office 2010, it has the flexibility to move to newer versions much easier than a traditional desktop. New versions of both Windows and Office are always on the horizon and so we want a name which also has the same flexibility as the underlying solution. The obvious choices would be things like Remote Desktop and Virtual Desktop but these terms may not be known by everyone. Then there are the technical acronyms; VDI and RDS, which are just horrible.

In the end we decided to go for, University of Lincoln Cloud Desktop, as we felt if both captured the features of the service and our aspirations for the future. Also, the cloud concept is one that many people already understand and can easily relate to. To go with the name we wanted a fresh, clean brand which embodies our new modern, streamlined desktop. I hope you like it.Cloud Desktop

So it begins

Leigh Haynes , , , ,

Although the blog has been a little quiet once again, work has been continuing in the background and the procurement cogs have continued to turn.

A number of companies submitted responses to our invitation to tender. An evaluation panel reviewed the submissions, shortlisted, attended presentations and after scoring each solution made a recommendation to select a particular supplier, which was then ratified by the project board.

The contract has been awarded to Phoenix IT Services Ltd and work on delivering the solution will now start with a series of low level design workshops.

Now that the competition process is complete, the project board have agreed that this blog can be made publically visible.

ITT Issued

Leigh Haynes , , , , ,

Although the blog has been a little quiet, much work has been continuing in the background and procurement cogs have been turning. Today we issued the Invitation to Tender (ITT) seeking a Solution Provider with the appropriate product range, experience and competitive pricing who will act as a partner in delivering the new centralised desktop. The selected Solution Provider will be required to supply hardware, software and associated professional services; consultancy, architecture design, project management, knowledge transfer and training. The tender is being issued under the SUPC National Server and Storage Agreement framework.

Windows 7 & Office 2010 on the iPad!

Leigh Haynes , , , , , ,

In response to some of the strategic drivers of the project, ICT has sought to identify solutions which will allow us to deliver a Windows 7 & Office 2010 desktop to mobile devices. The desire to work flexibly from mobile post-PC devices was a reoccurring theme in our stakeholder interviews and workshops.

For the purpose of the proof of concept; ICT decided to concentrate on ensuring that the proposed solutions would work with the iPad. The rationale being that the iPad is by far the leading product in the tablet market and that the screen size of any smaller device was not very practical for interacting with a full Windows desktop.

Windows 7 & Office 2010 on the iPad

To access the Citrix environment, iPad users simply need to visit the App Store and install the free Citrix Receiver app. Once installed, the only configuration that is required is to click Get Started and enter the address of the Citrix web server.

Unfortunately, for the Remote Desktop environment, there is no free Microsoft equivalent of the Citrix app. There are several third-party offerings, but to-date there is only one which includes the required “TS Gateway” support for Remote Desktop. The app is iTap RDP which costs £7.99 plus a further £2.99 in app purchase for the module which adds TS Gateway support. Once purchased and installed the app requires a little more configuration as it is necessary to create a Bookmark which specifies both the host name of the Remote Desktop server and the web address of the Gateway.

Both solutions offer a very useable, full University Corporate Desktop experience to iPad users.