The Glade 4.0

Luckily we are somewhat in the same boat Vlad. We are able to just re image whatever problems we don't have time to work through. It is good because it is quick but it is bad because I am brain cells when I don't think problem through (quick and easy has made me a lazy tech). The only downside is that we have to manually touch the machine to re image it (RIS). Not sure if there is a way around this.
It wouldn't be too bad but our biggest user issue is with teacher laptops. They are constantly downloading garbage and horking their machines up. Which means we need to re image and re load their software.
That with the fact that we have 700 smartboards we need to keep running at all times we get run a bit ragged. Not to mention they are adding more schools next year but they never seem to remember to add support staff.. hehe It seems to run contrary to their theory of being so tech forward.

The other non tech issue is that when we need to deploy 700 new machines to replace old units, it can be something of a challenge when there are only 3 or four of us. I spent a large part of the summer just unloading trucks/vans full of technology. At one point we had to unload whiteboards off of a semi. The going joke was "where do we plug these in?" We are often seen as just manual labor anymore. I swear we should join the custodian union!

_________________
Hokanu
Duty is a magnificent blessing because it is the sign of trust from the universe.
END OF LINE.

Ha! I know what you mean, but I see that from the flip side too. From a user perspective, if I need to move to a new cubicle in another building, I just want to move! Why do I have to call IT to move my monitor, Facilities to move my file cabinet, and Telecom to move my phone?

The key is having one really good coordinator to know what's moving or unloading, and when.

_________________

I'm ok with doing PC moves etc for people. Its better than trying to straigten all the pins on a monitor cable because some yahoo misalligned it then cranked the cable down. Or trying to remove the wedged in remains of a USB drive that someone tried to force in upside down and then rip off sideways.

Yup, unfortunately being on the support side means we have to cater to the bottom, bottom BOTTOM of the barrel. People who can barely tie their shoes in the morning, I have no idea how they operate a car. Everyone else suffers because of the curve.

I hear ya.. I don't mind the work really. It just gets a little nuts when we get told "go forth and replace 500 CRT monitors. Here are 3 cargo vans for you three workers. GOOD LUCK!"

On the plus side I got a great tan this summer! Probably the tannest IT crew I've seen

_________________
Hokanu
Duty is a magnificent blessing because it is the sign of trust from the universe.
END OF LINE.

Haha yeah, definitely not something you associate with I.T. professionals.