IT Division - Projects

IT Projects

Below is a list of current major projects currently being undertaken by the IT Division.  This list is not a comprehensive list of projects, but rather a list of major projects that have an impact on a majority of campus.

Altiris

The Information Technology Division is implementing the Altiris Client Management Suite (CMS) by Symantec beginning January 2, 2012 and continuing throughout the year.  This system will allow for a more accurate computer inventory, installation of security patches and software, and more efficient computer deployment.  The initial implementation includes installing a software agent on each machine, which is an automated process. Once the agent is installed on all WKU computers, further information will be provided.

Faculty Pool Project

Faculty Pool is an annual project with $300,000 budget to maintain a four year or better replacement cycle for the computers assigned to the 750 full time permanent faculty members of WKU. New computers are provided for all new full time permanent faculty members before the fall semester begins, and replacement computers are installed during the Fall semester. Standardized desktops are supplied at no cost to the academic departments, while laptops and Apple Macintosh computers are available at an additional charge.

Mobile & Personal Device Support

Technical Support Services is implementing a pilot project for the 2012 calendar year specifically designed to provide limited software support for personally-owned smartphones, iPads, laptops, and desktops as well as university-purchased iPads.

OU Campus Project

OU Campus is the selected Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) for WKU websites.  Research and selection of an ECMS took place throughout 2010 by a committee filled by individuals from departments across campus.  The implementation of OU Campus took place in late 2010 and early 2011.

Windows 7 Project

Campus-wide migration from Windows XP to Windows 7 began with extensive planning and testing in 2010-2011. In summer 2011, widespread rollout is underway to labs and faculty/staff desktops. With about 5,000 computers on campus, many of which do not meet minimum hardware or software requirements for Windows 7, migrating WKU to Windows 7 is a large project that will take several years to complete. End-of-life for XP computers will be in 2014.