The MTSU community will soon have the convenience of accessing software programs that
are currently used on campus for instructional learning or at work - anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Thanks to the implementation of innovative virtualization technology, MTSU students,
faculty, and staff will be given the unique opportunity to use a multitude of applications
both on and off campus. Dubbed, "C@M" or "Cloud at Middle," this new application delivery system
will enable users to access programs online by using their campus network login information.
The implementation of C@M will influence the way you conduct business from a desktop
computing perspective, and the benefits will not only allow students and employees
to access applications from home and do the work they can currently only do on campus,
they will also provide a faster system response time than standard desktops and eliminate
system performance issues caused by virus infections.
While on campus, you will have your required software loaded on your campus-provided
system through your C@M login. To use the system off campus, you will need to perform
a one-time installation of C@M client software. When you aren't located on campus,
your C@M system can be used on a PC or MAC machine.
This system has been implemented and positively received by other large universities
and institutions of higher education such as the University of Alabama, Scottsdale
Community College, and DeVry University.
The rollout of C@M will commence with Instructional Learning and staff computers and
will conclude with faculty PCs. After all on-campus computers receive the upgrade,
remote access to C@M will be activated. This implementation is expected to take approximately
14 months starting September 2011.
Goals
- To provide MTSU students and employees with 24/7 access to all applications they normally
use on campus, from anywhere they have an Internet connection.
- To provide MTSU employees 24/7 access to work-related data.
- To provide MTSU employees with greater PC uptime and system performance.
- To provide for more timely installation of applications while allowing PC users to
continue using their PCs.
- To help the University manage software licensing.
- To promote a consistent and common look and feel for all MTSU desktops.
- To reduce the frequency of PC hardware replacement, saving the University money.
- To ensure MTSU-related data is never lost through the utilization of a central backup
system.
- To provide MTSU users with greater access to different operating systems (Windows
7, Windows XP, Linux, 32-bit OS, 64-bit OS, etc.) without the need to upgrade hardware.
- Significantly greater and centralized storage space.
- To enable ITD to provide better support to MTSU PC users by standardizing on a common
desktop image.
- Superior integration with current and future Microsoft products that MTSU already
owns.
- To position the University to implement archive and e-discovery systems.
Timeline
February 15-29, 2012 - The Core Platform will be installed.
April 9-30, 2012 - The First 250 Instructional Learning(classrooms/labs) PCs will be activated.
- AMG 214
- SAEC (Student Athlete Enhancement Center)
- KUC 326-S
- COE 104
- COE 110
- HON 118
- Library (~20 PCs)
March 5-30, 2012 - The first 100 MTSU employee PCs will be activated.
- 50 Desktops in the Business & Finance Dept.
- 50 Desktops in ITD
April 16, 2012 - Begin the rollout for University employees and Instructional Learning PCs.
August 25, 2012 - The remote access schedule to be activated.