Datatel upgrade to release 18

After more than two years of planning, the University of Redlands recently completed its upgrade to Release 18 of Datatel.  The university utilizes the Datatel software to support its business processes and the student record system.  The upgrade
from Release 17 to 18 was deemed critical after the company announced that by September 2007, it would no longer support the older version.

Under Release 18, all end users are making use of the graphical user interface to access the screens used to enter data or to run processes.  Other than this change, all other modifications where made at the database level, which supports the entire product.  ITS would like to thank the campus community for their support during the upgrade process.  Questions regarding the upgrade can be directed to Betty Porter at extension 8317.

State-of-the-art truesdail speech center opens

 After many months of planning and construction, the newly remodeled Truesdail Center for Communicative Disorders is open for business.  The center now houses state-of-the-art equipment which allows the Communicative Disorders faculty and students to provide high quality, low cost, comprehensive services to individuals with communication disorders.  The center serves hearing and speech patients who are referred by local physicians, schools and individuals.    

With a new audiology testing suite, two dedicated observation spaces and an increase in therapy rooms, the new facility allows for the integration of the latest technologies into academic and clinical instruction.  The seven therapy rooms each feature at least one remote-controlled digital video-camera. From a centralized control room, faculty and students can monitor and record the  activity occurring in each therapy room. 

The most significant change in technology comes from the move to record the therapy sessions in a digital format (eliminating the use of VHS tapes).  With the new system in place, video from each therapy session is stored in the Windows Media Video format.  This simplifies the playback which can now occur via the Web.  As part of the instructional process, students and faculty watch the recorded sessions for evaluation purposes.  Faculty can also edit the recorded sessions to create video clips for classroom and research purposes.

Christopher Walker, Chair of the Department of Communicative Disorders, noted that "The significant amount of money invested in this program will vitally improve the education for our students and allow us to offer more    professional service to our clients.”  Julie Shuler, Clinic Director, stated that, “With the integration of the digital video, the University of Redlands now joins an elite group of other universities across the United States which makes use of this advanced technology.”

One Call to User Services/Help Desk is all it takes

User Services/Help Desk is your one-stop support center for campus technologies and computing.  When User Services/Help Desk is contacted at extension 8922 or by e-mail at user_services@redlands.edu, all calls for service are entered into an application called Track-It!  This centralized tracking solution allows ITS to accurately manage user calls and resolve problems in a timely manner. 

Once a request for service is received, User Services/Help Desk assigns the request to the person or group who can best assist the requestor.  Once a work order has been resolved, the requestor receives an e-mail response indicating what work was completed and by whom.  We encourage all users to complete the survey that is sent out once a ticket has been completed.  This information is used to improve on the services that we provide to the campus and to recognize what is working well.  

The User Services/Help Desk team is available to provide:

· Maintenance and support for university-provided computers and peripherals;

· Support for university-provided software;

· Technical assistance to user via phone, e-mail, on-site and walk-in traffic;

· Assistance with the installation of software and peripherals as requested;

· Assistance with operating system, anti-virus, and anti-spyware updates and compliance; and

· Liaison support for all technical needs of the campus community
 

Any questions regarding User Services/Help Desk can be directed to Christine Robitaille at extension 8320.