BSI: Direct Client IT Support
The Business and Service Improvement (BSI) program has focussed on a review of Direct Client IT Support across the University since the start of 2006. The recommendations from this review will see changes occurring in the delivery of this support for faculties, divisions and institutes. IT staff who currently provide a desktop support role will migrate into four support teams located across the University and will become a part of the Department of Integrated Help Services (IHS). IT staff who provide an infrastructure support role will form two teams, and will become a part of the Department of Information Technology Services (ITS). These changes will take effect from 6 August, 2007.
It is important to note that following these changes, support arrangements in most areas will be unchanged. All requests for IT support will be made through the QUT IT Helpdesk, and in most cases it will be the same IT support staff who will respond to these requests. Over time, these changes will bring about efficiency gains in the delivery and support of IT services.
These changes will have minimal effect on students. Where any effects on students are identified, these will be communicated to them on an exception basis. If you require further information on these changes, please refer to the BSI website at www.bsi.qut.edu.au or the Project Manager, Mark McCormack (email: m.mccormack@qut.edu.au | phone: 3138 5180).
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Expanding QUT’s Research Capacity
New state-of-the-art infrastructure set to increase research opportunities
In collaboration with Central Queensland University of Technology, QUT has received a grant to purchase a new state-of-the-art high performance computing infrastructure which will be available to QUT researchers in the second half of 2007. The new system will play an important role in advancing scientific and engineering discovery in Queensland and Australia, by enhancing research outcomes in vital areas such as environmental and sustainability modelling, security and medical engineering.
In recent years, demand for computational modelling and simulation has continued to grow as it can allow research projects to overcome the need for costly, controversial, dangerous or impossible experimentation. The new facility has over 10 times the computational capacity of the existing system, and will allow researchers to solve large modern day problems in order to compete at national and international research levels.
For more information please contact the High Performance Computing (HPC) & Research Support Group: web www.its.qut.edu.au/hpc/ | email qut.itshpc@qut.edu.au | phone: 3138 2730
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QUT Login: new single sign-on authentication system
QUT Login will soon become the new way in which QUT staff and students, as well as people external to the University, access the majority of web applications at QUT. Led by IT Services, this project was initiated to develop authentication, authorisation and accounting technologies capable of meeting QUT’s growing needs for cross-institutional collaboration and system integration.
Once the application is implemented, users will only be required to authenticate once during a session to access most of QUT’s online resources.
Apart from reducing the frequency with which users are required to login to resources, another key benefit of this system will be the federated authentication functionality, enabling non-QUT colleagues and collaborators to more easily access applications such as the e-Grad School, QUT Blackboard and QUT Wiki. This aspect of QUT Login will play an essential role in supporting the University’s eResearch initiatives and ambitions.
The software (Enterprise Sign-On Engine) underpinning this new system has been made available by ITS Services as an open-source application, allowing other universities to adopt similar practices and facilitates access arrangements between institutions.
QUT Login is expected to be operational for most QUT web resources during semester 2, 2007. Further information about its release will be communicated as the project progresses. Please direct enquiries to the Project Manager, Terry Smith (email: t.smith@qut.edu.au | phone: 3138 2424).
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Enhancements to QUT Wireless Service
IT Services has installed a new wireless service to support the new MS Vista operating system as well as existing operating systems such as Windows XP, Mac OS and Linux variants.
The new service is available at all wireless enabled areas across QUT and provides the following benefits:
- Simple wireless configuration - no software to download
- Removes the need to use a VPN client to connect to wireless on-campus
- Improved security
- Faster – no rate limiting applied
- Roaming enabled – allows movement between wireless access points
- Reduced authentication – moving closer to single sign on
For more information about QUT’s Wireless service, including specific configuration settings, please refer to the IT Services website.
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Online Printing Requestion Form
QUT Printing Services (QUT Printery) have recently released a new online print requisition system allowing staff to log requests for printing jobs and quotes. This functionality replaces the paper-based carbonised form previously submitted when ordering the printing of any materials. Users can also track the progress of their jobs and view the history of previous print jobs sent to Printery.
The online printing requisition form can be accessed at: www.qps.qut.edu.au/requisition/. For further information please contact QPS at: qps.admin@qut.edu.au.
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Extension of Desktop Delivery Service
Desktop Delivery has recently replaced the External Library Services student photocopying service which previously provided the copying and mail-out of articles requested via the Library External Service website. To improve delivery time, particularly for non-metropolitan and remote students, Desktop Delivery now allows students to receive electronic copies of articles right to their computer desktop.
Due to successful uptake amongst external students, Desktop Delivery will also be extended to all students as of Semester 2. Requests for articles from items held at a campus other than the student's home campus, can be made via the web-form available from the Library website.
Please note: users must have Adobe Acrobat Reader (Version 5 or higher) installed to read these documents. This application can be downloaded from the Adobe website at no cost.
Further enquiries can be directed to the Library Lending Services Coordinator, Jane Turnbull (email: j.turnbull@qut.edu.au | phone: 3138 5091)
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