Thursday, January 10, 2019

Welcome Back! Spring Semester IT Services Announcements

Happy New Year on behalf of Information Technology Services! We look forward to the Spring semester and are ready to assist you in any way you may need.

ITS Updates
Client Services and Operations would like to share some of our updates and accomplishments as we strive to be a strategic partner and provide exceptional customer service to the entire Manhattan College Community:


ITS tested out two new products during the Fall '18 semester. One is a new wireless presentation device called Kramer VIA Go and the other is a Crestron Multihead cable. We installed these  in several classrooms on campus.

Due to positive survey feedback and general success with the products we have decided to move forward and replace all currently installed Apple TV's on campus with the Kramer VIA Go wireless presentation device. It has much more functionality than the Apple TV such as supporting all platforms (Android, Chrome OS, iOS, Mac and Windows) as well as being more reliable and other benefits. IT Services has also decided to install the Crestron Multihead cable in all rooms with a Crestron control unit at the beginning of the new semester.

Kramer Via Go Home Screen
Kramer Via GO Home Screen
Crestron Multihead cable
Crestron Multihead Cable


Classroom Technology:  
If you are in a new classroom this semester or need a refresher in the classroom technology we have available please review attached  Podium Guide KBA.  Many of the guides have video tutorials embedded in them which will give you an overview of how to operate the podium or technology in each classroom.


Training for the new Kramer VIA GO Wireless Presentation System:
Mon.     1/14  12-2:00 pm DLS 212
Tues.    1/15    3-4:30 pm   HAY 201
Weds.   1/16  12-2:00 pm MGL 305
    Fri.      1/18  10-12:00 pm RLC 208

ITS Service Report link takes you to a series of links to reports generated by our ticketing and project management system. It includes data with regard to our service delivery statistics but also contains information with regard to rooms that are currently facing technology issues.
Know before you go! Check here for an up to date  Room Issues Report Complete with details on current status of each room that has an issue.
If you are a new employee and need resources for how to navigate ITS services on campus review: College Web Resources Links for New Employees

Campus Wireless Upgrade

We, here at Manhattan College IT Services Department, strive to meet the growing demand for wireless accessibility. We do our best to be at the forefront of technology throughout campus. Our goal is to provide students, faculty, and staff with the best tools to facilitate learning. This includes updated computer labs, learning classrooms, and wireless throughout all buildings, both academic and dorm rooms. One way we are meeting this goal is to deploy a robust wireless network providing enough reliability and stability throughout campus.

The Networking Department within ITS will be working diligently to upgrade all wireless access points across campus starting the week of November 12th. We will complete this work with as little down time as possible, but please be patient as some down time may be inevitable. The upgrade process will be completed in the following order. Please note, this may be subject to change based off of building, classroom, and office availability:


  • Hayden Hall - Complete
  • Thomas Hall - Complete
  • Alumni Hall - Complete
  • Leo Engineering Building - Complete
  • Research and Learning Center - Complete
  • De La Salle Hall - Complete
  • Memorial Hall - Complete
  • Miguel Hall- In Progress
  • Smith Hall
  • O'Malley Library
  • Kelly Student Commons

We will be working closely with Resident Life to upgrade the wireless access points in the dorms. Most of the access points are located in students' rooms, so in order to upgrade, we will need access to these rooms. Work in the dorms will commence during winter break according to the following tentative schedule:

  • Overlook Manor - Complete
  • Jasper Hall - Complete
  • Horan Hall - In Progress
  • Chrysostom Hall
  • Lee Hall

In order to improve both wired and wireless network reliability in Jasper Hall, ITS will be conducting network maintenance on the equipment that services Jasper Hall. This maintenance will cause disruption to both the wired and wireless networks throughout Jasper Hall, including Public Safety and Jasper Client Service offices. This maintenance will not affect the rest of campus.


We have also been able to upgrade some of our buildings to a higher bandwidth connection.

Leo Engineering was upgraded during the last semester and Jasper Hall will be upgraded this Friday, Jan. 11. This higher bandwidth will allow larger transfer capabilities and faster speeds while connected to both wired and wireless in these buildings. Though most buildings already have the larger bandwidth capability, there are still a handful of buildings that do not. We are hoping to upgrade these buildings as soon as we can, though there is no timeline as of right now. With the cooperation of the Manhattan College community, IT Services hopes to meet our goal of making seamless wireless connectivity the goal throughout campus.

ITS STARS Update:
A Student Technology And Resource Specialist (STARS) is a Manhattan College student who exemplifies Lasallian values by utilizing their unique skill set to assist members of the Manhattan College community. A STAR has a combination of excellent interpersonal communication skills and technology knowledge. STARS show compassion when working with members of the community who are having technical difficulties. STARS will be going through ongoing training this Spring and upgrading their technical skills in order to offer even stronger support to the Manhattan College community.


Reminders

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Have a question?  Check out our Knowledge Base first.


The best way to get in touch with a Client Services representative is an email to
its@manhattan.edu
or a phone call to: x7973 (718-862-7973)
Note that email and voicemail for this line go to our ticketing system so we encourage you to leave a message.


Remember that we will never ask you for your password. We encourage you all to please reset your computer and provide the temporary password to ITS prior to dropping it off at Client Services. If you do not do this prior, please allocate an extra 5 minutes to work with a Client Services representative so that they can assist you in changing your password when working with us. Upon completion of work on your computer, please allocate another 5 minutes so that a Client Services representative can assist you in changing your password back to its original state. This is necessary in order to safeguard your password. Remember that you should never give your password out to anyone under any circumstances. Note that the same procedure holds true when you are requesting assistance with one of your Manhattan College accounts.


Client Services can NOT lend out equipment to students. If a student needs equipment for a project, they must have a Manhattan College employee sign out equipment on their behalf. Note that the Manhattan College employee is responsible for that equipment.


Client Services can provide short-term loaner equipment such as laptops and projectors by reservation. Note that if equipment is needed long term, it should be purchased via your department.  Adjunct Professors may request equipment for the whole semester.  Equipment must be returned at the end of the semester.


In lieu of loaning certain cables and remotes, Client Services has installed commonly used VGA and Audio cables as well as projector remotes in all yet-to-be-renovated classrooms. Network cables will be provided to faculty upon request. Faculty requiring other specialty cables or adapters (such as Apple VGA adapters) should contact Client Services for assistance purchasing this equipment as they are not stocked or provided by Client Services.


The Client Services office does not work on personal computers. We will train employees and students and instruct them on how to fix their computers, but personal computers cannot be dropped off for service. No personal items should ever be left in any of the Client Services offices.


Please remember to plan event setups in advance. We work with limited resources so we cannot always complete last minute requests.  
Client Services currently has 3 convenient locations:
Jasper Hall, Ground Floor, North Side
O'Malley Library Circulation Desk
RLC 103C
Please stop by the location closest to you. We encourage you to call first to be sure that someone is available as we are constantly assisting the Manhattan College community.


Client Services Hours of Operations can be found here.


Computer Lab Hours can be found here.


Campus-owned computers are purchased with hardware support provided by the manufacturer. ITS will diagnose and determine whether manufacturer hardware support is needed. For the fastest service, users are also able to contact the manufacturer directly to access hardware support and replacement.


Your feedback helps us improve our service and should be sent to: manhattan.edu/tellits


Don't forget to add us to your Google+ circles +ITS and follow us on Twitter @MC_ITS


Check out our ITS Blog


Do you think wifi is down in your department? Check out our Known Issues page


Thank you for your attention and enjoy the Spring semester!