Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Recognizes Moravian University at Inpulse 2015

Awarded on March 4, 2015 in Paris, France About the Award This award recognizes Advance2000 and Moravian University's delivery of a personalized, connected experience for all students, faculty and staff. Nominations were voted on by the ALUE Global Executive Board, and the winner was announced during the closing ceremonies of the Alcatel-Lucent's yearly global conference, Inpulse, in Paris, France.

From left to right: Michel Emelianoff, CEO Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise; Ron Goodband, COO Advance 2000; Jan Zuurbier, WW Sales Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

About the Project

When Scott Hughes, chief information officer, arrived at Moravian University two years ago, he quickly discovered our network inadequately met the usage demands of students, faculty and staff. He'd often find twelve students hovering around one access point, rushing to finish their work before a thirteenth student would enter their circle and kick them off the network. Adding even more frustration to the mix, anyone too far from a wireless access point often barely received service. "The problem," said Hughes, "was how our OSI model functioned."

Conceptualized with seven layers, the Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI) characterizes and standardizes the internal functions of a communication system. In short, it's how a network works, and it is what any IT team manages on a day to day basis.

One of the many challenges with any OSI model is its lack of responsiveness. It might be able to handle 1500 students, but will only do it well if they're evenly spaced out across campus. This was fine when we all used wired networks, as plugs were set at distances the network could readily handle and the number of people accessing the network in any one area was limited to the number of plugs. But technology is now largely wireless, and people can roam with their devices and settle into work anywhere that is comfortable to them, whether that be a desk in a classroom or a patch of grass on the quad. The old OSI simply model couldn't keep up with the times: twelve at a time was the most Moravian University's could handle around any given access point.

To create a campus where anyone could work anywhere, on any device they chose, Hughes worked closely with Advance2000, the sector of Alcatel-Lucent responsible for their Unified Access deployment. Together, they created a cutting edge model now up and running at Moravian University. Unified Access is capable of essentially reconfiguring itself to meet the needs of its users. If a large group of students gathers in the HUB for lunch, the network responds by providing more resources to the HUB area. It has been so successful, the model is quickly being adopted by other higher education institutions.

Another important component of the Unified Access project is the Macbook and iPad deployment, a program that provides all Moravian University students, faculty and staff with Apple desktops, laptops and iPads. By creating an environment with one consistent operating system, Hughes ensured the ability to deliver secure, high quality applications to all users (while many other colleges require users to apply for access to certain programs). Unified Access allows Hughes to define what programs are available to students, faculty, and staff. The user chooses whether to download any particular application through a service called "Self Serve." Now, a student can choose to use Microsoft Word or Apple's Pages, depending on their own personal preferences.

For the first time, Moravian University's network breaks free from the confines most networks provide. Classwork may be completed outside; library resources accessed in a dorm room; teams are capable of creating, editing and uploading video from even the most remote classroom. The entire campus is covered, curb to curb. Students can personalize their experience without trying to work around technology access or worry about the security of their information—and that is the mark of a truly connected campus.

About Moravian University

Moravian University is a private coeducational liberal arts college, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Tracing its founding to 1742, Moravian is recognized as America's sixth-oldest college and the first to educate women. The College emphasizes the deliberate integration of a broad-based liberal arts curriculum with hands-on learning experiences to prepare its 1,600 students, not just for jobs, but for successful careers. Moravian University excels at transforming good students into highly competent graduates who are ready to enter the workplace with confidence or shine in graduate school.

About Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, with headquarters in France near Paris and 2700 employees worldwide, is a leader in communications, networking and cloud solutions for businesses of all sizes, serving more than 500,000 customers across the globe. Our cost-effective solutions help organizations embrace new uses and models by enabling multimedia conversations across any device, supported by an Application Fluent Network, from the office to the cloud.

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, with a history of proven technology and experience, leverages a global team of technology experts, service professionals, and partner ecosystem to meet the unique needs of small businesses to international companies with tailored offers that address the requirements of various market segments and industries.