30 March 2011
Computer Networks (CN) has tailored a dynamic solution to meet the ever-changing needs of the students at Dunmore Lange College. CN has rolled out the college’s Wi-Fi system, making it one of the few residential colleges in Australia with its own first-class wireless internet.
“Traditionally, the biggest worry for students at residential colleges has been about the quality of the food. These days they’re more interested in the speed and cost of the internet, and what they are allowed to use it for. So, we’ve recognised that and made connectivity a management priority,” said Greg O’Brien, General Manager of Administration at Dunmore Lang College.
Previously the IT service for Dunmore Lang College was linked with Macquarie University’s IT system however due to escalating cost of the facility they sought out another provider – Computer Networks.
CN was also commissioned with maintaining the college’s computer lab and ensuring it has the most up-to-date virus protection and software available. More importantly, CN now provides extended IT support hours during exam-time when it is critical that equipment functions at its best.
Other important issues CN has been charged with include the filtering of content and reporting explicitly on internet traffic and usage to ensure that the service is being used appropriately by students.
O’Brien stated that he wanted to make sure the service was not being used for extraneous activities such as downloading movies and that “90 per cent of the bandwidth isn’t being used by 5 per cent of the students.”
“It has made a big difference being able to sit down and just explain our IT needs, and for [Computer Networks] to really understand what we’re after. For example, it has been very important for us to identify high-demand periods, and to be able to rely on Computer Networks to support us. You go to an expert to try and solve something you don’t know how to solve yourself, so not only being able to talk to, but to be able to trust an IT partner is important to us,” said O’Brien.
Dunmore Lang College is an autonomous, not-for-profit residential college at Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney. Dunmore Lang College promotes lifelong learning through the excellence of its residential, conference and hospitality services.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Brian Pereira on 02 9878 0277 or 0418 972 518
