Tag Archives: 2014

Streamlining the Technology Procurement Process

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Within Technology, we’re always looking for ways to improve workflows so we can reduce the time it takes to resolve support requests. In an effort to streamline the purchasing of hardware, software, and related technology, we have implemented an online request form for all technology procurements.

The online form is to be used for all requests, regardless of dollar amount or type of procurement (product, service, contract, etc.). Completing the form will initiate the request in our system and allow us to track and complete the purchase in an organized and timely manner.

When submitting your request, please include as much information about the purchase as possible in order to avoid delays. Please note that all requests for a contracted service or subscription will require approval from the Office of General Counsel during the purchasing process.

To submit a technology purchase request, please visitservicedesk.simmons.edu/getsupport/techpurchase. For more information about the technology procurement process, click here. If you have additional questions, please contact the Service Desk at 617-521-2222.

New Semester, New (and extended) Technology Support Hours

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As we prepare for the fall semester, Simmons Technology would like to remind everyone of how you can access technology support from on or off-campus.

ONLINE:
The Service Desk website is always available and it features answers to common questions and links to popular services. You can also submit support requests directly from the site.

SERVICE DESK:
Open for phone support Monday–Friday from 7:30am–6:00pm, with additional classroom/event support hours from 6:00pm–9:00pm.

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT CENTER:
Located in LEF-331 and open for walk-ins Monday–Friday from 8:00am–6:00pm.

TECHNOLOGY DESK:
Located on the first floor of Lefavour Hall in Beatley Library and openMonday–Thursday from 8:00am–6:00pm, and on Fridays from 8:00am–5:30pm.

Improvements to On-Campus Internet Service

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wifi-icon-newsletterEarlier this month, Simmons Technology upgraded the College’s Internet connection in order to improve your experience on both the wired and wireless networks.

This upgrade insulates the College from the types of recent outages caused by off-campus service interruptions and provides greater flexibility at a lower cost.

More importantly for you, the upgrade also doubled our bandwidth, which means that you should see faster connection speeds and improved performance when streaming video or using collaborative tools like Google Hangouts and Skype.

Easy Access to WiFi at Colleges Nationwide

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Simmons College has recently joined Eduroam, a network of more than 175 colleges across the country that provide access to their WiFi networks for guests from participating schools.

Whether you’re on another school’s campus in Boston (including Wentworth, MassArt, MCPHS, BU, and more) or traveling across the country for a conference, you’ll have WiFi access at partner schools. To use this service, choose eduroam from the list of available networks, then log in with your Simmons email address ([email protected]) and your Simmons password.

You can find out more on the Eduroam website, and get support from theService Desk.

The MISO Survey: Our Services, Your Perspective

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During the Spring 2014 semester, Simmons College was among 40 schools participating in the Measuring Information Service Outcomes (MISO) survey, an anonymous poll that assesses student, faculty, and staff perceptions of library and technology services and support.

We’re pleased to report that our customers have a positive overall view of the many services and support avenues Simmons Technology provides. In fact, more than 90% of students and staff expressed satisfaction with overall technology services at Simmons. In addition, more than 85% of all respondents said that the Service Desk and our support of personal computing equipment and classroom technology met their needs. Many of our web-based initiatives also received high marks, including Moodle, AARC, the Service Desk website, and Google Apps. This is especially encouraging because of the significant transformation and expansion of services and support that has occurred over the last three years.

Of course, the MISO responses also identified some areas where we need to continue working to more appropriately allocate resources and to improve how we communicate and deliver services and support. We take this feedback seriously and we will be proactive in addressing it. In fact, we recently improved the speed of our WiFI network—a concern voiced by student respondents to MISO—by implementing a large-scale upgrade that increases the bandwidth available on campus. Through projects like these, we will continue working to provide an optimal environment for teaching and learning with technology.

Accessing Technology Services During Summer Break

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Congratulations! Spring semester is over and you can (maybe? hopefully?) relax a bit and enjoy the beautiful weather Boston has to offer this time of year.

Whether you’re on campus, off campus, or halfway around the world this summer, you can access many technology services from wherever you are.

Phone, Online, and In-Person Support

Service Desk: open for phone support Monday-Friday from 7:30am – 5:30pm.

Technology Support Center: located in LEF-331 and open for walk-ins Monday-Friday from 8:00am – 6:00pm.

Technology Desk: located on the first floor of Lefavour Hall in Beatley Library and open Monday-Thursday from 8:00am – 6:00pm, and on Fridays from 8:00am – 5:30pm.

If you need help during the evening or on the weekend, or if you’d rather not pick up the phone, then take a look at the revamped Service Desk websitewhere you can find answers to many common questions, access technology services, and submit a support request online.

Web-based Technology Services
Remember, you can access your email, calendar, Google docs, Moodle, AARC, and more from anywhere you have an Internet connection.

VPN
If you need to access technology services that are only available from the on-campus network, you can tap into them remotely by using VPN. To access VPN, go to vpn.simmons.edu. For more information on how to use VPN,click here.