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Job Description

Michael A Coxon
Senior IT Consultant
IT Services
University of Durham
Nov 1998 – To-date.


Several areas of responsibility include:
Maintaining and installing the application software, on the University’s 1200+ Windows 2000 network workstations (NPCS). This software is either for the IT Services or for academic departments within the university, this can either be a new piece of software or an upgrade to an existing package. On average 10 applications are installed/upgraded a month which are almost instantly available on the network both at Durham and Stockton.
The NPCS system is fully locked down with NT security, with a common desktop on all workstations with over 500 applications. To implement this I am fully proficient in the operation of Windows and its interaction with installed applications. Mechanisms are in place to copy workstation specific files i.e. dll’s and ini files, for an application and also alter the workstations registry. The main part of the application is stored on an NT4 application server dedicated to a location of which there are currently 20. Certain applications which are large on storage space and/or have specialist use are stored on a central application server which is common to all workstations. On a regular basis it is necessary for me to edit the windows registry and implement certain changes to this system.
I also maintain the licence restrictions for the applications on NPCS via Appmeter. This restricts the number of concurrent sessions for a package, and is also used to monitor the usage of the software.
I maintain the CD-Rom service which is delivered via a Citrix, Terminal server of which there are 15 concurrent licences, using Ultranet software where there are over 60 CD-Rom titles available. This service is available to all NPCS machines and also to anyone at Durham and Stockton. There is also a web page (restricted to Durham and Stockton users) where the CD’s can be accessed and I provide the applets to enable each connection.
Managed Desktop System (MDS), is a Windows XP desktop system controlled via active directory. At present this system is in operation in the ITS and several FM users. I have the responsibility of the applications and desktop delivery. It is hoped this system will be implemented widely amongst users and a NPCS variant will be created from fresh to replace the current system which is an upgrade from NT4.
I’m in charge of several Facilities Managed (FM) contracts for departments which involves the installation and maintenance of users desktop machines, this covers the full range of windows operating systems from 95 to XP, with the intention of moving users to MDS.
The training aspect involves designing and delivering training courses for both staff and students in the use of applications, in particular the Microsoft Office Suite and Endnote from introductory to advanced levels. Also I provide user support and assist in general and wide ranging help desk queries.


Last updated 1/12/2002

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