Wharton Computing: On the cutting edge of e-mail and communication
Homa Mojtabai, WG'08
Issue date: 11/20/06 Section: News
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Recently overrun your email space? Ever thought about how attached you've grown to your Wharton email account and wished you could keep it forever? Wharton Computing is working hard to make that dream a reality while also more than quadrupling the amount of storage space available.
How, you ask? By leading the charge to web-based communication.
Chances are you already enjoy web-based mail provided through Yahoo, Microsoft, or Google. In considering a transition away from the current Microsoft Exchange service, Wharton evaluated solutions by all three vendors, ultimately narrowing the field down to Windows Live from Microsoft and Gmail from Google.
In addition to the potential for life-long access to a Wharton email account, the upgrade represents a revolutionary shift in how students will be able to communicate and interact in the future. Dan Alig, Director of Student Technology pointed out, "Wharton and Penn will be one of the first major universities to make a move to hosted web-based mail. [In making this move] we're leveraging the resources of the entire university." Both Gmail and Windows Live offer a myriad of collaboration tools including groups, calendaring and chat that are available through any internet access point.
"Wharton prides itself on technology," explained Deirdre Woods, Associate Dean and Chief Information Officer, this move is part of the school's commitment to "excellence in education." Wharton Computing began its investigation into web-based communication services some time ago, but this year a decision will be made as to the vendor and product. In order to ensure that student feedback drove the selection process, the Computing Advisory Board was formed with students from all Wharton classes as well as joint degree candidates and representatives from the Nursing and Engineering schools and the School of Arts and Sciences.
The board has been meeting weekly (at 8 AM!) to review the offerings and shortcomings of each product. Both Google and Microsoft have been aggressively courting the school; in mid-October, during a presentation to the board by Microsoft, CEO Steve Ballmer briefly joined the conference call and fielded questions from the group.
How, you ask? By leading the charge to web-based communication.
Chances are you already enjoy web-based mail provided through Yahoo, Microsoft, or Google. In considering a transition away from the current Microsoft Exchange service, Wharton evaluated solutions by all three vendors, ultimately narrowing the field down to Windows Live from Microsoft and Gmail from Google.
In addition to the potential for life-long access to a Wharton email account, the upgrade represents a revolutionary shift in how students will be able to communicate and interact in the future. Dan Alig, Director of Student Technology pointed out, "Wharton and Penn will be one of the first major universities to make a move to hosted web-based mail. [In making this move] we're leveraging the resources of the entire university." Both Gmail and Windows Live offer a myriad of collaboration tools including groups, calendaring and chat that are available through any internet access point.
"Wharton prides itself on technology," explained Deirdre Woods, Associate Dean and Chief Information Officer, this move is part of the school's commitment to "excellence in education." Wharton Computing began its investigation into web-based communication services some time ago, but this year a decision will be made as to the vendor and product. In order to ensure that student feedback drove the selection process, the Computing Advisory Board was formed with students from all Wharton classes as well as joint degree candidates and representatives from the Nursing and Engineering schools and the School of Arts and Sciences.
The board has been meeting weekly (at 8 AM!) to review the offerings and shortcomings of each product. Both Google and Microsoft have been aggressively courting the school; in mid-October, during a presentation to the board by Microsoft, CEO Steve Ballmer briefly joined the conference call and fielded questions from the group.
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