Remote Desktop Service (RDS), formerly known as Terminal Services, allows a user to access applications and data remotely. Our visit to Twynhams School further supported our intention to investigate this option further.
We have been discussing Terminal Services here at Hamble College for over a year now, we have had remote access to user drives and shared drives before, however Remote Desktop as part of Windows Server 2008 R2 really improved the end user experience, add a little branding to the landing page and we were really pleased with the outcome. What is more the applications presented can be modified by user. Although we have allocated time and invested in hardware, but this service has been relatively straight forward to create.
What will we make available and how many staff and students do we expect to access this service? Our current offer is Microsoft Office 2010, User and Shared Drives, and possibly (undecided) Sims. Probably subject software, for example Photoshop, the cost of which is a financial barrier to some of our students.
Our conversation is now firmly on the security of information and whether or not we can offer Sims access as part of the RDS. We aim to present this service at the next Leadership Team Meeting but I can not think of any good reason why it will not be adopted, but there is a need to discuss Data Protection issues.