What is the Premium Desktop Service?

The Premium Desktop Service is a customizable, modular, and secure Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 desktop with a standard suite of software and basic applications. Because the desktop is modular, it may be customized to include specialized software specific to a department, school, or program.

Installation of the Premium Desktop on departmental workstations is free, however some minimal costs are involved:

• A licensing fee for the Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 operating system.
• Academic pricing of site-licensing fees for the standard software suite (responsibility of department).
• Associated software license fees for customized software (optional) installations on the desktop. (responsibility of department)
• Software customization set up fee (if chosen).

The Premium Desktop Service is one piece of a comprehensive service package being offered to the University community. Please view the Premium Server Service web page (http://premium.itc.virginia.edu/server/) to learn more about ITC's Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 File and Print Service offerings.

Who may take advantage of the Premium Desktop Service?

The Premium Desktop Service is available to any school, department, or division interested in standardizing their desktop environment on Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000. However, units in the Medical Center and Clinics should continue to obtain clinical computing services and systems from Health Systems Computing Services.

What are the benefits of the Premium Desktop?

• Provides LSPs, department faculty and staff with a low-maintenance, easily supported desktop environment.
• Increases stability and security for each PC in the department.
• Improves ability to share electronic documents.
• Gives non-DCI machines the same desktop applications available as on the DCI machines, while adding flexibility for departmental customization.

What is included in the service?

Installation CD

• Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 operating system.
• Microsoft Office 2000 suite.
• Standard University application software (web browser, email, Corporate Time, and commonly used internet utilities).
• Configuration settings for access to U.Va. network.

Training

• Desktop Computing Support will provide documentation, migration steps, and installation instructions to departmental LSPs.
• A Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 Workstation Orientation script will be provided to LSPs to orient their deparmental staff to the new workstation environment and interface features.
• A Microsoft Office 2000 presentation and materials will be offered to departments to acquaint staff and faculty with this software.
• ITC Training Services offers workshops on ITC-supported software.

What planning assistance is available to departments?

• Consulting and technology assessments from ITCs Departmental Computing Support group.
• Planning worksheets for department administrators, LSPs, and Premium Desktop contacts.
• LSP and Premium Desktop departmental contact training workshops on installation and data migration.

When will the service be available?

Availability to the University community is slated for April 2000.

How can I get more information?

• Visit the Premium Desktop web site: http://premium.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/.
• Send e-mail to itc-microsystems@virginia.edu.