Desktop Systems Moves Closer to Clients

by Dieyana Ruzgani

Starting April 28, the Desktop Systems group will be more visible and accessible to all staff and faculty. After two years at Research Park, the group is moving to 1114 Academic Surge to be closer to clients and other Client Services units within the Division of Information Technology.

Desktop Systems, which operates on a recharge basis, provides in-depth technical support to individuals and departments. They are called upon to assist with a number of projects, including:

Transitioning to the Windows NT operating system;
Integrating multiple hardware platforms (e.g., Mac and PC);
Installing Oracle products (e.g., SQLNet) on microcomputer platforms;
Setting up a PC-based Web server;
Or upgrading hardware (e.g., Network Interface Cards, memory, and hard drives).

"We provide technical support and general advising to departments from start to finish," explained Martha Cornejo, a Desktop Systems consultant. "When we were off campus, many people were unaware of our services. The move will improve our ability to serve our clients," she said.

Everyone Benefits

The Desktop Systems group's strength and success lie in its ability to harness its intimate knowledge of the university's computing environment -- which outside vendors often lack -- and create solutions that can be integrated with existing (often administrative) systems, such as DaFIS, Banner and the Payroll Personnel System.

Desktop Systems has already served the campus in a number of important ways. For instance, the group assisted Banner programmers as they transitioned over to the GUI version of the Student Information System last December. "Basically, we contributed as Oracle [the software used with the Banner system] and LAN [local area networks] experts to the development of Banner," Cornejo said.

Future Plans

At its new location, the group will continue to diversify and improve the quality of its services. Plans include providing walk-in consultations, and drawing on other Client Services staff to improve turn around time, take on more assignments, and assist more departments.

"The biggest benefit is that we will be more accessible to respond to emergency situations," said Charles Raley, Desktop Systems Manager.

Most of the staff are Microsoft certified, and thus trained with MS Windows NT, related desktop systems, and networking technologies. By the end of May, the group will function as a Microsoft Solution provider for the campus.

This summer, the group will pilot a mentoring program through the Technology Support Program (TSP). Technical staff from selected campus departments will be given hands-on training on broad-ranging technologies, including Oracle products, middleware, operating systems, LAN administration, and more. Cornejo explained that this type of hands-on technical training will help increase productivity.

Meet the Team

An Open House will be held at 1114 Academic Surge on May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The group will introduce themselves, discuss the various services they offer, and provide general consulting to campus faculty and staff.

Anticipate one down-day (April 27) as the Desktop Systems team prepares for the move.

UC Davis Senior Dieyana Ruzgani is a student assistant with Information Technology.

Resources

Email: dsg-help@ucdavis.edu
Phone: 757-8907
Web site: http://desktop.ucdavis.edu/. Includes useful information about services as well as answers to frequently asked questions, product reviews, software and installation guides, documents on Year 2000 preparedness, and more.