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An Overview of VeraLab Management System. Nichole Kosier Computer Lab Manager University of California, Merced. Agenda. Environment Veralab Software Future Improvements Open Discussion. Computer Labs. 3 Instructional Computer Labs/Open Access 3 Open Access /Residential Housing Labs
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An Overview of VeraLab Management System Nichole Kosier Computer Lab Manager University of California, Merced
Agenda • Environment • Veralab Software • Future Improvements • Open Discussion
Computer Labs • 3 Instructional Computer Labs/Open Access • 3 Open Access /Residential Housing Labs • 1 Open Access Lab at Den • 2 Off-campus Labs at Fresno & Bakersfield
Computer Lab Details • HP computers • Windows XP SP3 • 52 Instructional Software programs installed • Pharos printing • Active Directory • All domain users granted administrator rights
Computer Lab ManagementSoftware Tools • Symantec Ghost Solution Suite 2.5 • Faronics Deep Freeze 6.5 • Faronics Insight 7.5 • Veralab 5.0
VeraLab Overview • A web-based application for managing computer labs, designed to provide the staff with the tools needed to perform most major tasks.
Veralab Management System Features we use Other features not in use User sign-in and waitlisting Maintenance Technician Role Student Portal page-real time lab usage and open hours • Student Portal-Schedule view only • Self-service sign-in • Access Control • Surveillance • Employee attendance tracking • Reporting • Software Metering • License management • Transactional data analyzed for planning
Student Portal Demo-All fields • Read-only • Public webpage Our Customized Portal
Efficient Lab Management • Lab assistants can view room occupancy • Redirect incoming users to less-occupied labs • See computer state in all labs • On • Off • Username logged in • Processes running • Screenshots (we do not use) • Restart & shutdown computers • Send messages-lab closing soon
ManagerReporting • Self-Service Stats • Lab Status • Lab Login Stats • Users online-IP • Employees on shift
Self-Service Logins Report • Semester or dates • Rooms • Output type • Chart • Table • Excel • Hourly stats per day
Alert List • Reject a user login or • Alerts lab assistants when a user logs in
Administrator Diagnostics • Get Computer Info • Red=not connected • Green=Connected
Payroll Reports • Start & End shifts • Summary payroll • Detailed payroll
License Management • Limits number of licenses • License cost information • Log or close last instance • Reports can be exported to excel
Waitlists – counter sign-in • If no stations available • Assign to waitlist • Lab Assistants notified when a computer becomes available • Wait-listing criteria • wait for any machine in the room • wait for a machine of a particular type • wait for a particular machine
Challenges • New Campus • Student Employees usage • Customizations cost money • Ghost reinstall
More Information • http://www.veralab.com • Very responsive • They implement your suggestions quickly • Adapt to your needs • Excellent customer service
Veralab Roadmap • Employee Schedules • Mac clients • Daily room schedules in booking app
Our suggestions for Improvements • Annual and semester based usage reports • Total utilization for room or group of rooms • Inventory Control • Student Employee Performance Tracking • Student Portal Improvements • Class Schedules intergrated into Portal • Gadgets dashboard with IM
Symantec Ghost Support Group • GhostSupport@groups.facebook.com I have been a Computer Lab Manager at UC Merced for 6 years. I have been using Symantec Ghost for over 8 years. I have 2 certifications in Symantec Ghost Solution Suite software. This group is for Computer Support Specialists, Lab Managers, & other I.T. people whose lives have ever been altered by this haunting software: *Symantec Ghost (or Solution Suite) This group will serve as a discussion forum to support Ghost users; to provide assistance in their endeavors to ghost computers/labs with minimal failures, in a reasonable amount of time. This is a place to vent your IT frustrations, rants, raves, stories, solutions, tips, etc. without fear of being tormented by others, who don't understand the complicated process of imaging computers. Ghost can be your best friend or your worst enemy, especially when there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. multicasting not set up properly on network, Incompatibility with Win 7 SP1, etc.) This group is for you if you have ever agreed with any of these statements: "Not IF it fails...but WHEN it fails"," I hate my job" or "Whyyyy meeee?" *The Symantec Ghost package is comprised of several utilities and can be broken down into four basic groups: Drive Imaging, Ghost Utilities, the Ghost Console and Auto Install. These tools can deploy operating systems, change network settings, migrate users, deploy software & more.