1. Rensselaer’s Mobile Computing Program: A Whale of an Idea!
Myra Williams
Ed Seeger
Nancy Kutner
Patrick Valiquette
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

2. Rensselaer Overview
Educates the leaders of tomorrow for technologically-based careers
Private institution founded in 1824
7000 students – 5000 undergraduates, 2000 grad students
520 faculty, 1430 staff
Schools – Architecture, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management and Technology, Science
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

3. Why have a Mobile Computing Program?
Academic need - technology used extensively in the curriculum
Standardization offers best support
Allows students to work anywhere/anytime
Facilitates student collaboration
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

4. Mobile Computing Program
Laptops required for undergraduate students
Standard high-end laptop including software at an excellent price
Students acquire through purchase, lease to own, or financial aid
Approximately 95% participation
Laptops used inside and outside of class
Over 6,000 laptops on campus
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

5. Mobile Computing Package
High-end laptop
Backpack
Ethernet cable
Security cable
Pre-loaded software suite
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

6. Pre-installed Software
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Office Professional 2003
Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Academic Professional
Maplesoft Maple (symbolic algebra program)
Mathworks Matlab
SolidWorks (a CAD package)
National Instruments LabView
Bentley Systems MicroStation
SecureCRT
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Anti-virus software suite
IBM Rapid Restore and more
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

7. Support Help Desk Computer Repair Campus Computer Store
All located in one building –
the Voorhees Computing Center (VCC)
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

8. On-Campus Distribution
Coordinated with Residence Life
Volunteers from across campus are involved
Just before classes begin in the fall
per hour
Pickup laptop
Attend start-up session
Every student leaves with a working laptop!
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

9. Why a standard model? Advantages to Rensselaer
Equal access for all students
Consistent support
Easier for classwork
Volume discounts
Lower support costs
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

10. Why a standard model? Advantages to Rensselaer (continued)
Student recruitment
students consider available technology when selecting a school
mobile computing has a strong influence on potential students
parents like having a standard model
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

11. Why a standard model? Advantages to students
Value
Appropriateness
Easier for classwork
Commonality
Service and support
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

12. The standard model Yr Model CPU / Speed Memory (MB) HD (GB)
Screen Resolution
CD and DVD 99
600E
366 MHz
128
6.4
1024x768 CD
Pentium III 00
T20
700 MHz 12
CD/DVD 01
T22
900 MHz
256 32
1400x1050 02
T30
1.8 GHz 40
CDRW/
Pentium 4
DVD 03
T40
1.6 GHz
512 80
Pentium M 04
T42 05
T43
2.0 GHz
1GB
DVDRW
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

13. Program Evolution Added administrative database
Included security cable
Increased deductible for theft and loss
Began self-insured process
Academic program - no sales tax
(continued)
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

14. Program Evolution – continued
Added ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverage
RFP process - renewed contract with IBM
Created trade-up program
Lease changed to lease-to-own
President’s Award
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

15. How do you get a program off the ground?
Need support and involvement of the entire campus
Need strong corporate partners
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

16. Campus Support Division of the Chief Information Officer “Mobile Team”
Banner – Student Information System
Networking
Campus Computer Store
Rensselaer Computer Repair
Help Desk
Media Operations
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

17. Campus Support – continued
President
Students and Parents
Provost/Dean of Undergraduate Education
Academic Departments/Faculty
Enrollment Management (Admissions)
Residence Life
First Year Experience
Financial Aid
Volunteers from across campus
Campus Planning and Design
Environmental and Site Services
Physical Plant
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

18. Some of Our Corporate Partners
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

19. Laptop Image Software is included in the image
Large image – 18 gigabytes
Faculty can plan knowing the software is installed and properly configured
Class time not used installing/configuring software
Easier to remove software than install it
Self-service re-image process available
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

20. Academic Integration Course Software Maple – Mathematics, Engineering
SolidWorks – Engineering
MATLAB – Engineering
MS Visual Studio – Computer Science
Microstation – Architecture
LabVIEW – Engineering, Computer Science
Cygwin – Computer Science, Engineering
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

21. Laptop-Integrated Courses
Calculus
Physics
Freshmen Studies
Next Generation Studio Biology
Advanced Manufacturing Lab (AML)
Introduction to Engineering Analysis
Engineering Graphics and Computer Aided Design
Laboratory Introduction to Embedded Control (LITEC)
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

22. What’s Missing? Licensing costs and issues affect included software
Refresh program
Faculty Mobile Computing Program
Discipline-specific models
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

23. Discussion http://www.rpi.edu/dept/arc/siguccs/ presentation2005.ppt
Questions?
Discussion presentation2005.ppt
SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA