Telecommunications Analysis: University of Washington Centralized Wireless Access for the Seattle Campus

Telecommunications Analysis:

University of Washington

Centralized Wireless Access for the Seattle Campus

Executive Summary

The University of Washington (UW) is a public research university located in Seattle, Washington, that serves more than 42,000 graduate and undergraduate students. One of the nation's leading research universities, the UW has ranked among the top 5 educational institutions in the nation for federal research funding for the last 30 years. In recent years, the UW has ranked first among public universities in the receipt of federal research grants and contracts.

UW's primary competitors are other public and private research universities that offer similar programs and educational outreach opportunities. Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, and the University of California - San Diego (UCSD) are a few examples.

Changing student demographics provide opportunities to gain market share of the higher education market, while funding issues are always a threat to market share and competitive advantage. The UW possesses strength in their research services and the distinguished UW faculty. Indecision to adopt new technologies can dilute market share and budget constraints can delay implementation or even cancel these critical improvements.

In 2001 and 2002, University leaders developed a set of interactive and interconnected technical advisory committees to provide guidance on various telecommunications issues. The TACs provide the first level of "go/no go" decisions for some proposed projects and are also heavily involved from start to finish for large or more complex projects.

An area of concern and the area of focus for this paper is the need for centrally controlled and managed wireless access for the main Seattle campus. Because of the increasing importance and demand for wireless networking, many departments were obtaining independent funding and deploying their own private wireless networks. What has transpired is a hodgepodge of wireless networks, complete with interfering wireless zones and multiple inconsistencies- inconsistent service and support for users, unreliable performance, and contradictory security and access policies - not to mention increased security risks. The University needs a centralized approach and management policy to provide reliable and secure wireless access for the Seattle campus.

A recommendation to remedy the University's disparate and inconsistent wireless access issues would be to employ the services of one or more vendors to provide a comprehensive wireless solution. Depending upon resources and preferences, the University may outsource and use selected vendor(s) to install and manage the solution or they may opt to install and/or maintain themselves. Wireless access points are available from many manufacturers and could be procured using University funding mechanisms or through one of many Washington State procurement vehicles using pre-approved vendors and OEMs. A University-wide wireless solution will provide widespread wireless access, centralized management and support of the wireless network as an extension of the wired network, and improve security, service, support, and performance and reliability.

Overview and Current Status of the Company

The University of Washington (UW) is a public research University located in Seattle, Washington, that serves more than 42,000 graduate and undergraduate students. (UW Quick Facts) One of the nation's leading research universities, the UW has ranked among the top 5 educational institutions in the nation for federal research funding for the last 30 years. In recent years, the UW has ranked first among public universities in the receipt of federal research grants and contracts. During the fiscal year (FY) ending June 30, 2004, the University received $954 million in grant and contract awards -- an increase of 2 percent over FY 2003 and the largest dollar amount the University has ever received in one year. (UW Annual Report)

UW's primary competitors are other research universities, both public and private, that offer similar programs and educational outreach opportunities. Other peer institutions or competitors include such universities as Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, University of California - San Diego (UCSD), University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA), and the University of California - San Francisco (UCSF).

Characteristics of the Company

The University of Washington, founded in 1861, is one of the oldest state-supported institutions on the West Coast. Three campuses - Seattle (main), Bothell, and Tacoma - offer educational programs for undergraduate and graduate students. The main campus in Seattle is comprised of 17 schools and colleges and offers programs from undergraduate level through doctorate. The branch campuses in Bothell and Tacoma offer distinct programs applicable to the region for upper level undergraduate and graduate students.

UW's primary mission is the "preservation, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge." (University Handbook) The University preserves knowledge through its libraries, curricula, and faculty achievements. It advances knowledge through many forms of research, inquiry and discussion; and disseminates it through "the classroom and the laboratory, scholarly exchanges, creative practice, international education, and public service." (University Handbook)

Strategies of the Company

The University's principal products and services are learning and knowledge. The academic core at the UW is the College of Arts and Sciences. The teaching and research at the University's 17 schools include architecture and urban planning, arts and sciences, business, dentistry, education, engineering, forest resources, law, medicine, nursing, ocean and fishery sciences, pharmacy, public affairs, and public health and community medicine. There are also specialized programs in reserve officer training, interschool or intercollege program, the information school, and the interdisciplinary graduate degree program. (UW Student Guide)

Beneficiaries of UW services are the faculty, staff, and students from around the world, corporations, and UW research advances play a significant role in diversifying the state's economy.

Strategies and Initiatives

The UW employs three programs university-wide: Tools for Transformation, University Initiatives Fund (UIF), and the Advanced Technology Initiative (ATI). The Tools for Transformation