TCU partners with HP: for simplicity of operations Texas Christian University implements higher education applications on an HP Intel-based platform....

THE CHALLENGE

Building an entire network based on an Intel platform was an unusual objective, but looking at it from Texas Christian University's perspective, it made perfect sense. And it's paid off in a big way, not only in a lower cost of operation, but in performance.

HP CUSTOMIZED CAMPUS SOLUTION

According to David Edmondson, Assistant Provost For Information Services at Texas Christian University, "It was a matter of what we were comfortable and familiar with. We wanted to put an infrastructure in place that would allow us to grow as technology advanced, and to run our business processes on the web, providing easy web access for students, faculty, and staff." Edmondson and his review committee, however, had some rather specific priorities: keep costs low, hold training to a minimum, and develop a single client-server operating system. "At the time we were planning this solution, we were supporting a mix of servers. Our goal was to keep our IT infrastructure on a consistent server platform to minimize operational costs.

Edmondson and his committee chose various HP ProLiant servers, running Microsoft Windows[R] 2000, to maintain the entire university network. "Windows 2000 allows us to run the same operating environment at the server and client levels, which provides us with a consistent, stable and manageable platform environment," he noted.

ONLINE CLASS REGISTRATION THAT WORKS

The primary focus of the new infrastructure was student registration at Texas Christian University. "Once we decided to upgrade our IT infrastructure, we knew we had to make a big splash--and it had to involve our students," Edmondson explained. "Our first goal was to take the class registration process out of the 'bull ring' atmosphere that usually took place in a noisy, crowded gymnasium, and provide students with the ability to sign up for their classes via the Internet. What a difference it has made!"

Edmondson reported that the time students previously spent registering for classes averaged about 45 minutes. Now that the new solution is in place, the time has dropped to 5-10 minutes. In addition, the number of administration staff required to assist students during class registration also has dropped. "Some Freshmen still need a little handholding, but not as much as before," Edmondson said.

A TRUE PARTNERSHIP

To support the new infrastructure, TCU utilizes a 3-year server and PC warranty program from HP. "The university's IT infrastructure consists of" Microsoft Office running on desktops. We've got a desktop on every staff member and administrators' desk, along with either an HP Deskjet or HP LaserJet printer," Edmondson explained.

Edmondson feels that the university's IT success in keeping up with the changes in technology is based, in part, on its ongoing relationship and solid partnership with HP. "Because of our alliance, and the decision to standardize on the HP ProLiant servers, we've been able to do some things that we would never have been able to cost-justify in our legacy environment. For instance, we've been able to deploy servers in remote locations on campus thereby creating a 'hot site' environment for disaster recovery situations."

In conclusion, he noted, "Overall, this new HP ProLiant infrastructure has allowed us to reduce our operational overhead expenditure, made student registration more efficient and provided TCU with a flexible, reliable and scalable environment that will amply support the university for many years to come."