Gunadarma University

Success at a Glance

As Gunadarma University grew, so too did the number of computer labs for students. The University found itself with 42 computer labs at various campus locations. In addition, the University exists in an environment where competition for student enrollment among private and public schools is high. It was challenged to provide a high quality education, including facilities, at the lowest cost possible. Each computer lab included roughly 80 workstation PC's. However, none of the labs were utilized optimally as the technology in place in each lab met only some course requirements. As a result, during some semesters, labs sat empty yet incurred maintenance costs and added to the workload of the University IT staff.

As a test solution, Sun installed 50 Sun Ray 2 virtual display clients and one Sun Fire V240 server in a new computer lab. By utilizing the Sun Ray platform, Gunadarma University is able to support Windows, Solaris and Linux OS-based environments. The new computer lab was able to serve students from various majors and as a result, the Sun Ray 2 clients are utilized significantly more than the PC's. Now, with over 400 Sun Ray 2s in use, the University can work towards consolidating the number of computer labs in order to reduce costs and convert the former labs into other student facilities.

The cost of operating the labs was also significantly reduced as fewer machines in one lab resulted in a cost savings on the University’s electricity bill. The benefits for its IT staff were also apparent as they were required to service fewer machines. Therefore they had time to improve security controls which decreased virus attacks and requests from students for tech support. In addition, unlike PCs, Sun Ray clients do not require desktop-side upgrades, thus leading to less time and money spent managing the university’s IT infrastructure.

By using Sun’s technology, Gunadarma University was able to provide storage for students to save their work. In the past, students were able to download files but were unable to save them. Now, the Sun Fire V240 acts as a storage server.

Gunadarma University considers Sun Microsystems a valued partner and is working with Sun to plan the University’s new library and lab building. “The Sun Ray platform has given us the solution for our long-over-due IT problems. It provides Gunadarma University with the flexibility in managing our labs in a centralized, effective and efficient manner. By controlling the cost of operating the labs, administration and maintenance, we have been able to add more value by providing better labs for our students.” Said Triadi Cahyana, (Head of Gunadarma Sun project)

The University is also collaborating with Sun in academic development to conduct workshops with its students. “Sun has been supporting us in a significant way with our IT infrastructure development. Gunadarma University is proud of our relationship with Sun Microsystems,” said Cahyana.