Office 2010

SMT gives the green light

Leigh Haynes , , , , , ,

Last week we presented the proposal to deliver a flexible centralised Windows 7 & Office 2010 desktop using Microsoft Remote Desktop Services to SMT. I am pleased to report that the proposal was accepted and we now have approval to proceed into full implementation.

As the solution requires significant new supporting network and server infrastructure we will now enter into a tender exercise and period of procurement which is likely to take us well past Christmas. The plan is to have the system up and running with a core set of general student focused software applications in time for the new academic year. To compliment this we intend to replace PCs in some open access locations such as the Library with thin client devices.

We will then start to add the business applications and subject specific software based on a more detailed requirements analysis. This will identify those applications which are most frequently or widely used or are otherwise critical to a specific deployment scenario.

Thin clients in the GCW Library

Leigh Haynes , , , ,

Two thin client devices (small dedicated computers) have been installed in the GCW Library so that staff and students can try the proof of concept for a centralised Windows 7 & Office 2010 Corporate Desktop. The machines are located in the Reservations Area on the Ground Floor.

Staff and students are invited to walk-up and login to trial the two different environments. Both the Citrix and Remote Desktop environments are available from both thin client devices and so it doesn’t matter which one you use. Once you have logged in, there is a link on the desktop through which you can leave feedback.

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.

Testing begins

Leigh Haynes , , , , , , , ,

ICT has been testing and tweaking the proof of concept environments for Windows 7 & Office 2010 and they are now ready for user testing. ICT is demonstrating 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.

Members of the user test group have been provided with instructions on how to get started, what to test, how to provide feedback and how to get help should they have difficulties. The group has been asked to test both environments equally, either by focusing on them one at a time or switching backwards and forwards between the two, depending on preference.

Towards the end of the trial period the group will be contacted again to complete a survey which will capture their experiences of using the proposed solutions.