Author Archives: mksmith

New Service Desk System Goes Live!

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Technology Services is pleased to announce the deployment of the KACE Management Appliance, Dell’s innovative new service desk system. As of 8:00 this morning, TS began using KACE to manage Service Desk ticket activity.

For now, changes in the ticketing system will not be apparent to users contacting the Service Desk for assistance. But in the coming weeks and months, the Service Desk will roll out an exciting array of new and expanded services using KACE. These include:

  • A portal for users to track tickets and submit service requests via the Web (in addition to the current phone and e-mail options)
  • Greatly improved tracking of university computers and printers so TS can better manage replacements and repairs
  • Quicker, more efficient deployment of software to university computers and for use by faculty and staff
  • A dashboard with service announcements and a searchable knowledge base of self-help articles for users
  • Enhanced power management capabilities so the university can conserve energy and promote sustainability in the use of technology resources

For more information, please contact the Service Desk at 253.879.8585 or servicedesk@pugetsound.edu.

Recent Changes to Campus Printers

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Technology Services is changing the way in which networked printers are accessed by users! This conversion will provide a more contemporary solution and will improve functionality, advance integration across campus, and prepare the way for exciting printing developments to come.

In recent weeks, TS staff have visited each office with networked printers to make the necessary setting changes to these machines and any computers that access them (we are now pointing to the printer’s DNS instead of IP address).

We realize some faculty and staff might use laptops not on campus when this work was done or perhaps we were unable to access every desktop computer. For any trouble with printing, please contact the Service Desk at 253.879.8585 or servicedesk@pugetsound.edu.

We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience as we proceed with this important endeavor.

Windows 7 & Office 2010 Demonstrations

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Technology Services is pleased to offer demonstrations of the newest features and most important changes in Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system and the Office 2010 programs, Word and Outlook.

The demonstrations will take place in Library 020 and will run from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on July 20 and from 10:00 AM to Noon on July 22. These sessions are primarily for university faculty and staff receiving new computers, but others may attend as well. For more information, contact Lauren Nicandri at 253.879.3261.

New Director of Database Services Announced

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Technology Services is pleased to announce that Stephen Renker will become Director of Database Services as of June 14, 2010.

Stephen served previously in positions at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA, and the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, also in Atlanta. He has strong experience in programming, project management, database management and planning, and a keen understanding of the liberal arts college environment.

Stephen joins Database Services at an exciting time, as the team will play a key role in leading the university’s efforts over the next few years to take its business technology tools and processes to a new level of effectiveness and efficiency.

Welcome, Stephen!

Extended Hours for Reading Period and Finals

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The hours for ResNet Student Services and the Technology Service Desk during the university’s reading period and finals are:

Thursday, May 6 – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday, May 7 – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday, May 8 to Sunday, May 9 – Noon to 4:00 PM
Monday, May 10 to Thursday, May 13 – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday, May 14 – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

See the extended hours for the Digital Media Lab.

ResNet and the Digital Media Lab are located in the Tech Center in Collins Memorial Library. The Service Desk is in McIntyre 008 and can be reached at 253.879.8585 or servicedesk@pugetsound.edu.

Welcome, Admitted Students and Parents!

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Technology Services will participate in the Campus Resource Fair from Noon to 1:30 PM in the Trimble Forum during Admitted Student Days on Saturday, April 10, Friday, April 16, and Monday, April 19.

Stop by our table to visit and pick up free goodies and handouts on Technology Services at Puget Sound (PDF) and Purchasing Recommendations for Students (PDF). We can answer any questions you might have about the technology you’ll need, use, and want as a college student.

We look forward to seeing you there and back on campus this fall!

Update Your Subscriptions to RSS Feeds From TS

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On Thursday, April 15, between 4:30 and 5:00 PM, Technology Services will relocate its maintenance blog, resulting in new URLs for the RSS feeds from that blog. Once the move is made, please use the following addresses for subscribing or re-subscribing to these feeds:

Cascade Release Cycle – http://blogs.pugetsound.edu/TSmaintenance/?feed=rss2&cat=83
Scheduled Maintenance Windows – http://blogs.pugetsound.edu/TSmaintenance/?feed=rss2&cat=71
Service Announcements – http://blogs.pugetsound.edu/TSmaintenance/?feed=rss2&cat=44

At the same time, you should update your subscription to the TS Tips & Alerts feed using the address, http://blogs.ups.edu/servicedesk/feed.

For assistance with RSS feeds or any technology-related issue, contact the Service Desk at 253.879.8585 or servicedesk@pugetsound.edu.

Technology Town Hall Meeting March 24

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We want to hear from you!

Bring your questions and suggestions to our Town Hall Meeting, Wednesday, March 24, from Noon to 1:00 PM in the Wheelock Student Center’s Murray Board Room.

We’ll have a panel discussion with TS staff from Database Services, Educational Technology, Network and Server Systems, and the Service Desk, and we’ll also demonstrate an intranet and a virtual desktop environment, two technologies that hold promising possibilities for Puget Sound.

Please feel free to bring your lunch. We’ll provide beverages and dessert!

Spring Break Hours for ResNet and Service Desk

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The Technology Service Desk and ResNet Student Services will be closed Saturday, March 13, and Sunday, March 14. During the week of March 15 – 19, Service Desk and ResNet hours will be 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Service Desk will be closed Saturday, March 20, and will resume regular business hours Sunday, March 21, when it opens from Noon to 4:00 PM. ResNet Student Services will be closed March 20 – 21 and will resume regular business hours Monday, March 23, from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.