Windows 7 at CIUWindows 7 at CIUOpen Forum June 7, 2010

Pamplin Auditorium

About Windows 7About Windows 7

Windows 7 is Microsoft’s newest computer operating system. This new operating system was designed to simplify your everyday tasks, work the way you want it, and make new things possible without hassle.

Windows 7 is designed to run on PC based computers with 1ghz processing speed, 1gb RAM. We desire a 40gb hard drive to run this operating system at CIU.

Why Windows 7 at CIU?Why Windows 7 at CIU?

Newest version of Windows operating system ◦(we currently are on XP which is two versions back)

Free* upgrade as a part of our campus agreement

Combat steady rise in virus and other malware exploitation of Windows XP◦Microsoft will end all support for Windows XP in

2014Improved functionality over Windows Vista

which we skipped due to os problems

Benefits and ImprovementsBenefits and Improvements

Power consumption and battery life improvements (green initiative)

Pin feature for quicker access to programs and files

Easier management of multiple windows using drag capability

Searching simplified and more robustDevice management improvements for projector

connections, printers, etc.Better security versus Windows XPMore stable than Windows VistaKeeps technology current with backend solutionsSticky notes and improvements to WordPad and

similar programs

Complications and DisadvantagesComplications and Disadvantages

Learning curve for new operating system◦ not big, but still a learning curve◦ Training guides currently available on IT website in

Training Resources section◦ Feel different from Windows XP (but similar to Windows

Vista). Bread crumb navigation, logins on separate domains and folder locations.

Current peripheral devices (printers, scanners, etc.) may not work with Windows 7 due to driver compatibility problems

Some software programs may not work on Windows 7 and may require an update from vendor

No more MovieMaker application by default

Windows 7 TestingWindows 7 Testing

Deployed to computer labs since December 2010◦ Student survey results positive

Deployed to several IT staff since January 2010

Currently testing on one classroom instructor station Completed testing with EX database applications but

further testing needed with other database related applications such as PowerFaids and Raiser’s Edges

Currently using as last resort effort to replace dead Windows XP computers for fac/staff

In addition to testing, IT staff have attended various conferences and training seminars held locally on Windows 7. Additional training sessions are scheduled for near future.

Dialog is being held with other local universities in the process of deploying Windows 7 as well.

Proposed Deployment PlanProposed Deployment Plan

Student Computer Labs (completed)IT Services (completed)

University classrooms (scheduled for summer 2010)

Voluntary university faculty upgrades (beginning Summer 2010)

Library, MRD, DEMD (beginning Fall 2010)

Remaining staff upgrades by department (2011 and 2012) as well as remaining faculty upgrades not performed during voluntary upgrade period.

Next StepsNext Steps

Feedback from forums and initial communication

Finalize testingOfficial communicationDeployment initial phasesContinual assessments and adjustments

to deployment over 2-3 year period

Questions and CommentsQuestions and Comments

This presentation will be posted on our Information Technology website in the Forums and Communiqués section by

Friday of this week. Thank you for your attendance or review of this presentation.

Questions From ForumQuestions From Forum

Will fac/staff be able to login to student computers in the lab or classroom the same way we do now?◦ Fac/staff users who need to access the computers in

student labs or in the classrooms will need to use the CIU\ prefix in front of their username (example: CIU\thowell). This is needed since there is no longer a drop down box with the CIU domain selection.

Will RenWeb testing be done as well since some staff located at the university use RenWeb? ◦ Yes, all software will be tested across the corporation

especially prior to user computers being upgraded to Windows 7. Before a user or department receives an upgrade, IT staff will plan with them accordingly.

Questions From Forum (cont.)Questions From Forum (cont.)

Will my computer be formatted completely if upgraded to Windows 7?◦ Yes, computers that are upgraded to Windows 7 will

need to be upgraded completely in our environment.

If my local printer does not work with Windows 7, how will I be able to print? ◦ IT Services will ensure that all shared network printers

are functional and provide a primary means for printing for faculty and staff. We will also supply printer replacements for those local printers that no longer work with Windows 7 based on in-house stock and budget allocations for a given year.

Questions From Forum (cont.)Questions From Forum (cont.)

Will we be moving to Office 2010 any time soon?◦ Based on our proposed Windows 7 deployment schedule,

we do not anticipate the mass upgrade to Office 2010 prior to the 2013/2014 fiscal year. At this time, we anticipate completing the Windows 7 deployment in 2012. Testing for Office 2010 could begin after. Due to the stability and functionality of Office 2007, we do not anticipate replacing this software package anytime before the 2013/2014 period.

How long will an operating system typically last?◦ According to the history with stable operating systems

such as Windows 98 and Windows XP, we can only assume at this point that Windows 7 will be useful for about 10 years (however, there are several factors that influence this 10 year estimation).