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Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Contact:
Division of Information Technology
910.521.6260 | doit@uncp.edu

Keeping computing resources affordable, accessible

When an institution experiences a substantial increase in the number of students and employees, a shortage of software licensing often becomes an issue. One of the challenges is meeting the increasing need for software in and outside of the classroom. UNCP unfortunately does not have the funding to provide licenses on every machine to every application to everyone needing access. Thus, DoIT has pursued an approach to optimizing software management and has been reviewing the Virtual Computing Lab (VCL) as an alternative solution.

What is a VCL?
The Virtual Computing Lab (VCL) is an online service that allows users to make a reservation for a particular application or set of applications to “check out” remotely. In Summer 2008, the Client Services department began working with staff at North Carolina State University, who already deployed a VCL environment in 2004. Using their VCL server, the accessibility and usability of selected software applications, such as EcoBeaker and EcoBeaker, SPSS and Dreamweaver are being set up, tested and reviewed.

How does a VCL benefit UNCP?
Faculty, staff and students will be able to access specific software applications from on and off campus as long as Internet access is provided. The VCL is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Because it will be unnecessary to load applications on every machine, users do not have to worry about any customizations of the systems, updates or maintenance.

The VCL Web site to reflect UNCP’s branding and to provide information on accessing the VCL has been created and is awaiting full deployment. The Web site will be a one-stop front desk to provide a variety of assistance, including taking reservation for software access.

The VCL is scheduled to become available during the spring semester. For more information, please contact Cindy Saylor at saylor@uncp.edu.

 

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