Beginning this month, all University of Toledo Microsoft Windows devices will be transitioning to Microsoft Modern Management through the summer.<\/p>\n
This change will enhance security, streamline IT operations and improve your overall experience with University technology; during the transition, however, users may notice changes to how their device is updated, how their settings are managed and how their applications are delivered.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is just a normal part of staying current in the Microsoft environment and is part of our normal licensing under the State of Ohio-negotiated agreement,\u201d said Dr. Bill McCreary, UToledo\u2019s chief information and chief technology officer. \u201cThese changes will enable us to simplify our technical infrastructure and reduce some future investments in our data centers as well as help us to better manage our current technology and enable more effective security management as we move to the Windows 11 platform.\u201d<\/p>\n
Changes include:<\/p>\n
Company Portal, an app that serves as the gateway to University-approved apps and services including the ability to check the compliance status of a Microsoft Windows device and to receive important notifications from IT.<\/p>\n
Windows Updates that are regularly scheduled with fewer interruptions \u2014 most updates will be done during off-hours \u2014 and better notifications prior to the updates with the added ability to delay an update until a later date.<\/p>\n
Applications required for work or studies now will be\u00a0automatically deployed\u00a0to your device and there will be:<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0 No need to manually install or request most software.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0 Updates to existing applications will be handled in the background.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0 You\u2019ll have access to a curated list of apps via the Company Portal.<\/p>\n
Through the changes, users also will benefit from:<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0 A reduction in the number of times users have to login on systems where there is already a single sign-on.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0 A more consistent and easier experience when obtaining third-party software installations.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0 And fewer reboots when the software patches are installed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we enable more AI components under the Microsoft platform, it will ensure we can keep consistent security patches installed,\u201d McCreary said.<\/p>\n