Each February, CIT appoints several teams to look at the hardware and software standards for following year. Once these recommendations are made we will post them in The I.T. Connection for your review and comment. They will then go back to the DSAT team for approval. They will then be sent to the CIT directors and the Information Services Committee for final approval.
Overview of the 2009 DSAT process
Windows Hardware
The Windows hardware team recommends two levels of desktop computers: Standard and Enhanced. They recommend three levels of laptop computers: Standard, Enhanced, and Mobile. In 2009 they focused on:
- Increasing the hardware specifications of our Standard and Enhanced desktop systems
- DVD: Is DVD recording needed? On all systems?
Windows OS and Software
The Windows OS and Software team recommends what Windows software will be supported and deployed. This includes Microsoft Office, GroupWise, browsers and plug-ins, antivirus, Web development, Windows tools and utilities, and other standard and widely deployed software. In 2009 they focused on:
- Support for Windows Vista and Windows 7
- An upgrade to GroupWise 8 is planned. Are there support and migration issues to consider?
Mac Systems
The Mac System team team recommends two levels of desktop and laptop computers; a standard computer and an enhanced computer and the supported and deployed software. They look at several vendors and compare price, support and standard equipment. In 2009 they focused on:
- Standard equipment: Processor, RAM, disk
Software: They recommend supported and deployed Mac OS version and key
desktop applications and versions, including: Microsoft
Office, GroupWise, browsers and plug-ins, antivirus, Web development, tools and
utilities, and other standard and widely deployed software. We are not anticipating significant OS or application changes in 2009.
Printers
The Printers team recommends standards for the following categories:
- Personal desktop inkjet
- Personal desktop laser
- Standard department laser
- Enhanced department laser
- Standard color laser
- Enhanced color laser
In 2009 they focused on the impact of the MFD machines as it relates to laser printing needs on campus. Do we need fewer laser printers? Can we purchase smaller laser printers or fewer options such as addtional paper trays?
Student Computer Standards
We have an ongoing team of CIT staff that looks at student computer standards.
Recommendations and Approvals
The DSAT team sends their recommendation to the CIT Leadership Team and to the Information Services Committee. If you have concerns or issues that you want addressed during this process please contact Rick DeVries at rickdv@calvin.edu.
DSAT 2009 recommendations
The following are the 2009 DSAT recommendations. These are open for review and comment until May 21, 2009.
