March 31, 1998
University of Waterloo is moving towards a more integrated student computing environment, and towards a more functional and integrated administrative environment, both based on Windows 95 and its successors. Therefore, University Committee on Information Systems & Technology (UCIST) believes that Mac Operating System (OS) is not a strategic platform for these areas today. Nevertheless, the strategic direction of the University of Waterloo computing infrastructure emphasizes web-based systems and services that are accessible from multiple platforms. While single-platform solutions are never solutions of choice, they cannot be precluded in some instances.
Directions
Teaching & Learning
The university recognizes that professors and staff need to choose the most appropriate platform on which to prepare and maintain teaching material. Making material available in web-based electronic formats helps ensure that it is accessible from multiple platforms.
Waterloo Polaris is an important component of University of Waterloo's current student computing infrastructure. It provides most students with campus-wide access to their own file storage from any workstation, but it does not support Mac OS clients. In response to student and instructor demand, Macintosh labs in Mathematics will be replaced with PC-based labs over the medium term. In other faculties, PC-based labs are expected to be dominant, although Macintosh clients will remain the platform of choice in some specialized areas. Given these realities, and UCIST's belief in a more integrated student-computing environment, Mac OS is not a strategic platform in the general student computing environment.
Research
The university recognizes that professors and staff need to choose the most appropriate platform to use for research and for their individual electronic workplaces.
Administration
While most of the administrative information systems will incorporate web access eventually, it seems clear that fully functional client software will not be available on the web for all of them in a timely manner. No native Mac OS clients are expected to be available for any of them (these systems include the TRELLIS integrated library system, Oracle Government Financials, PeopleSoft Student Administration System, PeopleSoft Human Resources/Payroll system, and Cognos decision-support tools. In all these cases, the set of clients provided by the vendor is outside our direct control, in spite of our best efforts over time to have Macintoshes included). Thus, most administrative areas should plan to migrate to Windows in the medium term.
For faculty and staff in academic departments, convenient access to some of these information systems may well suggest that these individuals seriously consider using Windows for their electronic workplaces.
Support
Macintoshes will be supported by Information Systems & Technology (IST) as long as there is a substantial user community on campus.
Technical infrastructure
- IST will include Macintoshes in its negotiations for campus-wide software licenses.
- The Macintosh software depot will be maintained for software supported by University of Waterloo.
- Macintoshes will be connected to the campus network.
- Network printing from Macintoshes will be supported.
- Backups of networked Macintosh systems will be supported.
- Hardware repair service will be provided.
User support and training
- Macintosh consulting will be provided.
- Macintosh Technical Users Group (MacTUG) will facilitate communication and coordination within the Macintosh users' community.
- Transitional services will be provided to assist individuals in converting from Macintoshes to PCs.