By updating its aging e-mail system, Ohio University will join other state schools that have introduced new systems over the past two years.
OU's Information Technology Advisory Council (ITAC), a governance committee consisting of faculty and students, will discuss the options for updating its e-mail system this quarter with
plans to implement a new system in the fall.
Kent State University selected Google to replace its outdated e-mail system, said Jay Frye, manager of Educational Technology Outreach.
Although the school looked at Microsoft's service, they ultimately decided on Google because of its superior tool set and its familiarity with students, he said.
There's some benefit to using what students already use
Frye added.
The seven-gigabyte storage quota, instant message ability and calendar were all factors in making the decision, he said.
Google would host OU's e-mail accounts, eliminating the need to update university hardware or install software, said Jeff Keltner, business development manager for Google Apps.
The account will look pretty much like a Gmail account he said.
The differences in the layout would include a logo selected by OU and the removal of advertising, Keltner added. OU would be able to retain its
@ohio.edu extension.
The benefit for them is the chance to gain life-long users, Keltner said. Google hopes that by allowing universities to use Gmail as a free service, students who graduate will be more willing to use Google as a personal account because
they will be familiar with the tools offered.
Miami University decided Microsoft Office Exchange 2007 was the best fit for them, said Cathy McVey, director of
IT customer relations and communications.
Miami was also considering Novell GroupWise, but Microsoft cost $180,000 less, had a higher rating on a market analysis used by the school and offered
greater cohesion with other software, she added.
Miami owns its hardware, unlike Kent, and contracts with Microsoft for technical support, software licenses and maintenance, McVey said.
Even though Ohio State University is running an up-to-date version of Sun Java, they are currently researching other e-mail systems through an RFP (request for
proposal), said Bob Kalal, director of IT policy.
It's important to know where the industry is at and what our options would be he said.
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Lucas Bechtol
