Studentnet News
29 July 2014
New Features, New Partnerships, New Implementations
It's been a very busy two months since our last Cloudburst with new features
under development, new partnerships being formed, and a whole bunch of new
school implementations under-way. Today, there's a lot we'd like to update you
on:
*
Password Reset release date announced - the much requested
Password Reset feature will be available end of August
*
Administration Interface V2 Upgrade - a complete revamp of the
Cloudwork interface for administrators
*
Apple OpenDirectory and Mac client support - Client support is
available now, OpenDirectory is to be released as part of the major
upgrade scheduled for end of August
*
AD Account Auto-Provisioning feature: We need your input
*
2015 Pricing- Great News! For seventh straight year we're holding
pricing steady for Cloudwork. There will be a price rise for our 6+1
vault services. Also our Password Reset feature will be chargeable.
*
Just In: Chromebook Single Sign On support from Cloudwork
Password Reset feature: *End of August delivery date*
The technical team have been busy working away and are now ending the
coding phase for the password reset feature. Password Reset will be an
option for customers and will require that they have upgraded to
Cloudwork v2. In order to use the Password Reset feature it is also
necessary to be using the Cloudwork Connect feature.
The best way to learn how the feature works is to look at the
specification. which can be downloaded from
http://studentnet.net/Cloudwork_Password_Reset.pdf.
The feature requires extra data to be retained for each account in the
system, primarily a mobile phone and/or an external email address for
each account holder. Retaining that sensitive personal data may
require schools to update their privacy policy accordingly.
Please remember, all personal data is maintained within Studentnet's
own data centre facilities. These are fully located at the
GlobalSwitch data centre in Ultimo, Sydney. No Studentnet personal
data is held outside of this facility or outside of Australia. Our
facilities are audited to be to be fully compliant with PCI-DSS.
Password Reset is a much requested feature. Once installed it extends
password reset capabilities to any service used at your school. We are
very excited about the introduction of this much anticipated service.
Improved administration system - Cloudwork V2 Upgrade
Studentnet has commenced coding of V2 of our new administration system
to replace the current V1 facility. The current administration system
was introduced when Studentnet announced that we were taking schools
to the cloud in 2007 - well ahead of today's popular movement. Our V1
administration facility has worked well for us since being introduced
in 2008 but it is now showing its age and now needs to be upgraded
with a new look and even more functionality.
In particular the V2 administration interface will include:
* Greater exposure of your existing configuration
* Better logging of user activity
* Better reporting
* More documentation especially with improved implementation of both
initial setup and new service providers
* More modern look and feel
Using our version 2 interface will require your school to be upgraded
via our automated conversion process. We will be requiring all schools
to upgrade to the new facility. There will be no additional charge for
Version 2 or for the upgrade.
Apple Mac client and OpenDirectory support
Cloudwork supports Apple Mac laptops and desktops that are both
operating inside your school network and those operating externally to
the school network. Inside a Microsoft AD network, client Macs fully
participate in single sign on to the network, applications running
inside the network and cloud based services running externally to the
network. When running externally to the Microsoft network, Mac clients
fully participate as SSO users to all of your cloud based services and
any applications hosted inside the school's network.
New to Cloudwork v2 is the ability to support Apple OpenDirectory
networks in addition to Microsoft ActiveDirectory networks. This
feature permits Apple based schools to receive all of the advantages
of single sign on and single credential maintenance within their
chosen directory environment.
OpenDirectory support requires version 2 of Cloudwork. It will be
available by the end of August 2014.
AD Account Auto-Provisioning feature: **Your Input is Requested**
This new feature has advanced to the point that our development is
today issuing a requirements specification for its coding. We need to
receive your feedback and suggestions regarding this specification
before coding commences.
Please download the specification from
http://studentnet.net/Cloudwork_AD_Account_Provisioning.pdf) and send
any feedback/suggestions to info@studentnet.net.
Our programming team is aware of the urgent need for this function and
is ready for immediate commencement of the development of this
important new feature. Please get back to us as soon as possible.
2015 Pricing
Studentnet's last change to our pricing was 6 years ago when we
reduced our prices by 70%. We are glad to report that we are keeping
our core pricing constant for the seventh straight year. There will be
minor price increase for our 6+1 vault products which will increase
from the existing $4.50/account to $5.50/account. There will also be a
charge for the Password Reset optional feature of $1.50/account.
Just In: Chromebook Single Sign On support from Cloudwork
Google have just announced the availability of new APIs
allowing Cloudwork to support Single Sign On with Chrome devices including
Chromebooks. The Studentnet development team is evaluating the new API set for
incorporation into our standard Cloudwork functionality. As soon as the
evaluation is complete this new capability will be enabled as a standard
product feature.
Cloudwork support for Chromebook dramatically improves integration
with other systems at your school.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions - we especially look forward to
hearing your thoughts on the AD Account provisioning function. All
comments appreciated.
Best Regards
The Studentnet Team
STUDENTNET®
ABN 90 001 966 892
Suite 1, 89 Jones St, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia
Email:
info@studentnet.net
Site:
studentnet.net
Tel +61 2 9281 1626
NOC +61 2 9281 3905
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