[OPLINTECH] Questions about Ameritech

[Mann, James H.]

Looks like a "Gates" computer to me:

http://www.amerikitsolutions.com/pubpcsubfiles/newpacbundle.pdf


________________________________________
From: oplintech-bounces at oplin.org [oplintech-bounces at oplin.org] On Behalf Of Chad Neeper [cneeper at level9networks.com]
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 4:01 PM
To: oplintech at oplin.org
Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] Questions about Ameritech

I haven't seen the solicitation regarding the BTOP grants, but I didn't necessarily get a poor impression from the Amerikit website. I expect there are multiple common user profiles they use, customized to the client's environment as needed and optional software bundles, if desired. Best, I'm sure, as a turn-key solution for replacing most/all computers as opposed to slowly adding a few Ameritech computers into an existing, well-established network.

Regarding the Gates computers, none of my libraries ever made much use of them. I remember them from years ago when each library received one or two. Since they all already had well-established networks, we only ever plopped them down somewhere, usually in the kids' area and only ever logged them in as the Child profile, not even bothering much with printing. None of my libraries have had any Gates computers since then.

My networks have always been very customized and I'm not sure I understand what you're thinking of when you're saying a "Gates model". To me, the "Gates model" was just a pre-configured set of locked-down user profiles with bundled software included. I seem to recall that a server was available as well, probably to assist in a pre-arranged printing configuration and centralized workstation management, but I've never laid eyes on one. I figured that they would possibly work well enough as a total replacement for all computers in a library...a turn-key solution...but not something really to integrate into an existing well-established network. Integrating a Gates computer wasn't something any of my libraries wanted to bother with. So, when I think "Gates model", I simply think a pre-configured workstation/server/printer setup using multiple pre-established user profiles and a bunch of bundled software. If I wanted to achieve the same effect today, I'd probably use Windows Server with Active Directory to centrally manage profiles, printing, etc. I'd probably still use DF to completely protect the workstations from changes. What are you thinking of when you say "Gates model"?

Thanks,
Chad


-----------------------
Chad Neeper
Senior Systems Engineer

Level 9 Networks
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)



Mann, James H. wrote:

I had replied to Patty directly, but since I've got a solicitation from them regarding the BTOP grants I'd like to add my 2 cents and that is that these are "Gates" computers and to quote from Gossip Girl or some such for most of us the "Gates model" is so last year.
But, if you still offer a Gates model with the Big Print and Child profiles and want to spend the extra money for all the software and security then go for it.
IMHO

Jim Mann
Technology Coordinator
Greene County Public Library
76 E. Market St.
Xenia Ohio 45385
(937)352-4000 x1210
mailto: jmann at gcpl.lib.oh.us<mailto:jmann at gcpl.lib.oh.us>
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." - Mario Andretti.

-----Original Message-----
From: oplintech-bounces at oplin.org<mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org> [mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org] On Behalf Of Dan Will
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 2:12 PM
To: 'Chad Neeper'; oplintech at oplin.org<mailto:oplintech at oplin.org>
Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] Questions about Ameritech

Chad/Patty,
   I noticed that their website shows only XP installs. I would be interested where they stand on Vista/Windows 7 (Windows 7 IMHO is much better than either XP or Vista).
You might (at least I would) think that a big "national" company would list Windows 7 as an option as well as a 5+ year old OS.
My $0.02 worth.   ;^)

Dan Will
Technology Supervisor
Meigs County District Public Library
willda at oplin.org<mailto:willda at oplin.org>
740.992.5813
740.992.6140 (fax)

The difference between fiction and reality?
Fiction has to make sense.
Tom Clancy



-----Original Message-----
From: oplintech-bounces at oplin.org<mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org> [mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org] On Behalf Of Chad Neeper
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 1:43 PM
To: oplintech at oplin.org<mailto:oplintech at oplin.org>
Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] Questions about Ameritech

Welcome to the list, Patty.

I've not heard anything one way or another about Amerikit, however, I have a few relevant comments based on a quick perusal of their website.
It looks like they are using good products to install and secure the computers. It looks like they are using Dell computers, which are usually pretty good computers, in my experience. They are also using Faronics products to protect public computers from changes. That's also a plus. It appears that they use workstation imaging. It's also probably somewhat safe to assume that, based on the apparent national scale of their company, they will have a fairly well-secured standardized core configuration for the public computers. (Meaning that it's probably not just a poorly-configured one-off basic installation with no customizations to correctly secure the computers...A configuration we see all to commonly with general tech companies that don't work regularly with libraries and schools.) In general, I'd be cautiously positive on the potential technical side. Definitely do what you're doing, though and try to find an actual customer to talk to before you commit.

On the downside:  The company is based in South Dakota. Even though they claim a network of over 4000 technicians available to them, you will probably never see an actual employee of the company, even for the initial install. They will be using a local company (probably several) that is (are) responding to specific service requests. In my own experience, years ago I used to work for a small 4-5 employee computer retail/repair store. We would, on occasion, receive a faxed service request from a large national service company. If it was a service request we felt we could handle, then we would respond to the fax saying essentially, "We'll do it." Our service guy (me, in some cases) would then visit the client and perform the required on-site task. We handled maybe 1-3 of these types of requests each month and we never visited the same client twice, so there was absolutely no continuity in service. It was also always the case that we never understood the whole picture and only h

a
 d our little piece of the puzzle to work with. I hated those, but it was good paid service work.

To counter the "downside", it's quite possible that Ameritech make extensive use of remote control, which will help to limit the on-site requirements...Something else to ask of any Ameritech customers you get in touch with.

All-in-all, if you're ok with the likely case of no continuity in your on-site server techs (perhaps if you have your own tech-saavy person to handle stuff after the initial install), then from the looks of it, this company might have some good potential. I hope you can find some paying customers to talk with!

Chad

-----------------------
Chad Neeper
Senior Systems Engineer

740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)




Patty Brust wrote:


I'm new to using this list so please execuse my mistakes. Our library
has been approached by Amerikit to provide the computers we will be
buying with Gates grant money.  Has anyone had any experience with
this company, I'm concerned about the support issue?  Any info will be appreciated.

Patty Brust
Jackson City Library
Jackson, Ohio
brustpa at oplin.org<mailto:brustpa at oplin.org>


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