New Anti-virus Software for Windows-Based Computers on Campus

Technology Services is pleased to announce the rollout of new anti-virus software for university computers running Windows. Starting Wednesday, April 27, we will remove our previous security software, McAfee, and replacing it with Microsoft’s Forefront technology. Our testing has shown that not only does this product work and protect our community better, it also seamlessly integrates with the central protection tools we already have in place. Expect this upgrade the next time you reboot your computer!

EdTech Magazine Highlights Wireless Network at Puget Sound

The March/April 2011 issue of the magazine, EdTech: Focus on Higher Education, features a case study of the expansion of the university’s wireless network to provide comprehensive coverage on campus. Technology Services’ very own Mark Young and Dave Hamwey are quoted extensively and appear in a photo accompanying the article.

EdTech Magazine is published quarterly by CDW-G, a leading provider of technology products and services for government and education.

Welcome, Admitted Students and Parents!

Technology Services is proud to participate in the Campus Resource Fair in the Trimble Forum from Noon to 2:00 PM during Admitted Student Days on Saturday, April 9, Friday, April 15, and Friday, April 22.

Stop by our table to visit and pick up free goodies and our handout on Technology Services at Puget Sound (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!

TS Students Wow Town Hall Crowd

At a Technology Town Hall held March 2 in the Wheelock Student Center, members of the TS Student Staff presented demonstrations and information on exciting new technology initiatives with many benefits for Puget Sound students.

First up was Joey Lange, a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and Theatre Arts who works at the Technology Service Desk. Lange demonstrated a prototype of vDesk, the virtual desktop that will be rolled out to Puget Sound students in April. Using his Mac, Lange showed the range of software available through vDesk, from Microsoft Office to Adobe Photoshop.

Jan Biernacke, a junior Biochemistry and Business Leadership major working in educational technology, provided a tour of SoundNet, the campus intranet. Among other things, she showed her personal MySite and the site she created for the Hui-O-Hawaii student group.

Jinshil Yi, a sophomore majoring in Politics and Government who works in the music lab, spoke about the planned implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system on campus. She detailed some of the many benefits students may see, including expanded options for degree planning and course registration as well as mobile apps for accessing grades, class schedules, and campus maps.

TS staff William Morse, Mark Young, Cindy Riche, Steve Renker, and M.K. Smith also participated in the Town Hall, which was co-sponsored with the Associated Students of University of Puget Sound (ASUPS).

ERP RFPs Issued by Puget Sound

The University of Puget Sound has issued two requests for proposals (RFPs) for the procurement, implementation, and ongoing support of a modern, full-featured, integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Puget Sound intends, if the requests result in proposals deemed acceptable by the university, to purchase a complete solution from one or more vendors.

Vendors interested in responding to one or both of the RFPs should review the minimum qualifications, key dates in the procurement process, and requirements for contacting Puget Sound on the RFP overview page.

Come One, Come All to the Technology Town Hall

Technology Services and ASUPS are co-sponsoring a Technology Town Hall, Wednesday, March 2, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM in the Murray Boardroom in the Wheelock Student Center.

There will be a preview of V-Desk, the new virtual desktop, a demo of SoundNet, the campus intranet, and an update on other exciting tech initiatives, including the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) selection process.

Free pizza and soft drinks will be served, so bring your questions, suggestions, and appetite!

SoundNet is Here!

TS is pleased to introduce SoundNet, a new campus intranet designed for community collaboration!

SoundNet can be accessed by anyone with a Puget Sound username and password. Groups can set up TeamSites to share information, collaborate on documents, and hold online discussions. Individuals can connect with other campus community members by creating MySites that list interests and affiliations.

SoundNet is built on the Microsoft Sharepoint 2010 software platform. Content creators can set access so a page can be seen by everyone in the campus community or only just certain groups or individuals. Content on SoundNet cannot be found by those searching the Internet with tools like Google.

TS will offer training sessions on how to use SoundNet. For more information, contact the Service Desk at 253.879.8585, servicedesk@pugetsound.edu, or through the Online Service Desk.

Puget Sound Participates in DecisionDirector at Unprecedented Levels

Over a three-week period in January, Puget Sound faculty, staff, and students used the online tool, DecisionDirector from Advantiv Solutions, to determine requirements for the university’s new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. According to Advantiv’s Nick Ferrante, the extent of participation at Puget Sound was nothing less than remarkable.

“People participated at an unprecedented level, especially for a small-enrollment university,” Ferrante said. “For 222 participants to cast a total of 56,643 votes at a school with an enrollment of 2,600 or so rivals the kind of volume we see at institutions with up to 10 times that enrollment.”

To learn more, visit the ERP project website from Collegiate Project Services or see the TS page on the ERP selection process.