The CCS Managed Desktops service now serves more than 2,000 computers on campus. The service aims to lift the burden on departments and colleges related to computer, operating system and application issues by providing professional, consistent and efficient onsite and remote IT support with an emphasis on security and reliability.

The team now offers a hybrid service model – Managed Desktops Shared Service (MDSS) – for those units that have their own IT team but who could also benefit from leveraging Managed Desktops’ automated tools for software updates, security patching, endpoint security, and software installation. This frees up local IT staff from performing mundane maintenance activities on many computers, enabling a stronger focus on unit-specific IT functions. 

The Managed Desktops Shared Service provides many benefits for the College of Arts. These are significant and include: improving risk management related to application and O/S security updates; taking encryption from a manual and time-consuming process to one that is more streamlined; and providing a more efficient computer imaging process. Another key benefit is that this hybrid service enables us to keep our primary user support in-house, while the streamlined tools and processes allow us to have more focused time for our clients. MDSS has allowed us to leverage central tools available to us and provide personal, customized, and diverse support that our user base depends on and that lets us continue to foster important relationships with faculty, instructors, and staff in our College.

- Chris Lee, Manager, Information Technology Services, College of Arts

The College of Arts, Physics Department, and Student Housing Services are already partnering with CCS for this service. The College of Applied Social and Human Sciences and OAC Ridgetown Campus are currently in the process of adopting MDSS as well.  

Is your IT department bogged down by patching and software updates? MDSS might be a good fit for you! Contact CCS today at IThelp@uoguelph.ca or 519-824-4120 Ext. 58888.