About the SOE
Standard Operating Environment (SOE) is a specification for a standard architecture and application/software to be used for computers within an organisation. The benefits of having an SOE specially within larger environments such as ECU is that it leads to significant reductions in the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for the desktop computing environment as well as provide a framework for ITSS staff to effectively support and implement the university's IT fleet.
The implementation of a SOE will commonly result in substantial savings due to increased efficiency and gained productivity.
> History of the ECU SOE
> What is an SOE?
> Why have an SOE?
> Who decides what makes the SOE?
> Where is the ECU SOE going?
History of the ECU SOE
ECU first took up the challenge of implementing a Standard Operating Environment back in late 1998. With the groundwork set by those championing the project, the first SOE Rollout at the university commenced in early 2000. From that point forward, the SOE was widely adopted through the majority of the university's Faculties and Service Centres.
The concept of the SOE is not just limited to standard Windows-based PC's. In 1999, ECU extended the SOE to cover Macintosh computers, with the first Macintosh SOE being rolled out in 2000.
What is an SOE?
The computer industry does not have a single definition of what an "SOE" is, but there is an understanding that an SOE is the following:
- Consistent standard disk image that is deployed to more than one computer in an organisation. This image includes the operating system with service pack(s) and hotfixes, and all of the standard applications used within an organisation; and
- Consistent computer hardware of the same configuration deployed to multiple users in an organisation. It typically includes a pre-configured operating system with service pack(s) and hotfixes, and all of the standard applications used within the organisation
Why have an SOE?
The major advantages of having an SOE within a large scale environment such as ECU is that the time taken to deploy and configure a new computer is greatly reduced. In a scenario where departments might be buying different computer configurations, it is not possible to have a streamlined install and setup process due to variations such as disk sizes, hardware, and other factors.
By standardising the hardware and software platforms used within the University, ITSS can deploy new equipment and correct problems with existing equipment in a short period of time and a minimal level of fuss.
From the perspective of the Faculties and Departments, there is less downtime on machines requiring repair along with rapid setup times on new equipment. These efficiencies through having a standard translate to increased productivity through reduced staff downtime.
Who decides what makes the SOE?
The recommendations for the SOE are prepared by IT Support Services in consultation with stakeholders across the university. A business case is presented to IT Standards Committee (membership includes representatives from faculties and centres) for the specification, procurement, installation and disposal of the old equipment. Following approval from the Committee, ITSS with the assistance of the Strategic Procurement undertake the tender process to select the supplier for the SOE.
Where is the ECU SOE Going?
With the end of 2008 approaching, the third PC hardware SOE is nearing the completion and third software SOE (Named SOLUTION 08) is about to be rolled out to the staff machines.
For the last 18 months, the SOE Project Team has been undertaking preparations and development of software SOE for the students and staff. The activities have included capture software inventory, carryout compatibility testing, along with research and development into the deployment strategies and process to improve the user experience of the new software SOE.
The new software SOE was deployed to student computing environment beginning of 2008. Students have been using the latest technology in the teaching spaces and eLabs for the last two semesters and given them the opportunity to be familiar with the leading edge technology in the industry.
The recent pilot deployment of the new software SOE to a group of staff across all campuses was successful and assisted the project team to identify the gaps in the processes, procedures, and systems to the levels which will be needed for this massive undertaking.
The lessons learnt from the pilot rollout has been further applied and tested with the recent upgrade of 50+ machines in IT Support Services.
While work has been undertaken preparing for the PC Software SOE IT Services was also hard at work preparing for the Mac SOE which will commence towards the middle 2009.
For information regarding the future SOE, please visit the SOE Projects website here.