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19
BSC AND ELECTRIC IRELAND
October/November 2013 www.esb.ie/em
Microsoft Upgrades Programme update
GREAT PROGRESS has been made by the BSC since our first communication to staff a year ago regarding the major upgrades to technology across ESB.
This has only been possible because of the huge input and cooperation from staff across the company, and particularly the BPIT team members in each business area, so thank you!
The next phase of the programme is the Windows 7 preparation for deployment. By March 2014, we will remove all Windows XP devices from the ESB network and replace with Windows 7. This entails:
• Preparing devices (laptops, Desk tops and Thin Clients) - groups of users are currently testing Windows 7 on PCs and laptops between now and the end of November. This work is already complete for Thin Clients and deployment is in progress.
• Preparing the Applications - owners of specific applications are currently assisting the project team with in stalling their applications and testing them on Windows 7 to ensure that they are fully functional.
Once these two phases are complete, full-scale deployment of Windows 7, and upgraded PCs and laptops will begin in December.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU?
Each user will be individually contacted regarding upgrading/replacing their equipment. Some of you have already been contacted as part of the Thin Client rollout.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH YOUR OLD TECHNOLOGY?
ESB's Corporate Policy is to return all old equipment in order to protect ESB's data security and the corporate network. Once cleared of ESB specific information all old equipment is being donated to two very important charities:
• Blackberries are being donated to ABACUS, to fund purchases of iPads for children with autism. Please return your old Blackberry to the Business Service Centre Customer Support Centre, C Block, Third Floor, ESB HO, 27 Lwr Fitzwilliam St Lower, Dublin 2.
• Returned PCs, laptops, and other equipment unsuitable for upgrade are being donated to Camara, a charity that uses technology to improve education and life skills in disadvantaged communities around the world.
Many thanks for your cooperation. This programme which will enable a more engaged and agile organisation, essential to deliver ESB's Corporate Strategy.
For more information please see our internal website which you can access via the icon on ESBNET.
“Thin Client was installed in the Database and Metering Services team in Portlaoise in July. The response time is amazing! Prior to Thin Client some users could take thirty minutes for sign-in, and now sign-in happens very quickly. This is a wonderful improvement for all our team.”
- Mary Dunne, Database Manager, Networks Portlaoise
To date this Programme has:
• Upgraded 2,800 users from Webex to Lync, which enables easier online meetings and instant messaging
• Transferred 400 Blackberry users to Smartphones, with Active Sync software
• Successfully implemented Office 2010 (upgraded MyDesktop/MyOffice) to 6,500 users, enabling faster logon times and vastly improved security
• Piloted five business systems with upgraded Windows 2008 Servers
• As part of the Windows 7 project we have rolled out 500 Thin Clients to users across the organisation.
Health and Wellbeing Competition
IS SECURITY
YouTube access
» ITS, Business Service Centre, has now enabled YouTube for educational and business purposes for staff with internet access.
ADVANCES IN VIDEO and other forms of social media, including blogging and podcasting, have been enormous over the last few years and many companies have introduced these as part of their communications with both internal and external stakeholders.
In keeping with these advances ESB has been looking for ways to leverage video content to provide a more effective and engaging means of communication with customers and staff.
A key strand of the IT Strategy 2013-2017 is to facilitate access to technology in order to enable ESB to effectively and efficiently support business objectives. The IT Innovation Programme for 2013 included the ‘Video Content Delivery’ initiative, investigating options to more readily facilitate internal and external video communications in ESB. The initiative was led by Sharon Tobin (G&WM), sponsored by John Moloney (BP&IT Manager for G&WM and Innovation) and included cross-business input from Sarah Claxton (HR), James Kelliher (Electric Ireland), Susan Whyte (Innovation), John Breen (ESB Networks) and Michael Downey (Corporate Communications).
ITS is committed to continuing to explore and exploit current and new technologies
The group found that video has become an increasingly important media for ESB, with several business areas such as Electric Ireland, ESB International and Ecars engaging customers by means of their own dedicated YouTube video channels.
ESB INTERNATIONAL
Youtube.com/ESBInternational The possibilities and benefits for staff viewing external content such as training, conference speeches and web-based seminars were explored. YouTube was recommended by the group as a platform for distribution and viewing of non-commercially sensitive video content produced by ESB. The recommendation to provide YouTube access to internet users for educational and business purposes was approved by the IT Innovation Council and subsequently delivered by ITS, Business Service Centre.
Staff are expected to be familiar with the responsibilities for viewing internet content such as YouTube, outlined in the following policies:
ICTP-06 Internet Usage Policy
http://esbnet/publish/ppp/policies/information_systems/ICTP-06-Internet-Usage-Policy-v3.0.pdf
ESB Respect and Dignity Policy
http://esbnet/publish$/PPP/policies/human_resources/policy_respect_dignity_individual_esb.pdf
Staff Engagement with Social Media
ITS is committed to continuing to explore and exploit current and new technologies that will further contribute to the delivery of ESB business objectives. Each edition of EM will include updates on the progress of IT Innovation initiatives and the next article will feature the Wi-Fi Network Service.
The work group and project team from ITS included Robert Aherne, Charlie Horkan, Jean O'Hanrahan, Brian McMahon, Paul Melinn, Mark Nolan, Brian Thornton, Alan Mc-Namara, Anne O'Connor, Fergus Cooke and Peter Veale.
What is YouTube?
YouTube launched in 2005, is owned by Google and is the number one video sharing site in the world. It is the third most-visited site on the internet with over 4 billion videos viewed each day.
What are the benefits of YouTube?
YouTube hosts many educational videos in the format of on-demand webinars, tutorials, presentations, conferences and virtual training courses. Electric Ireland, ESB International and Ecars each have YouTube Channels for Marketing and Communications in the format of promotional videos, press releases and advertisements. Other benefits include: increasing brand awareness, efficiency (embedding video on corporate websites), analytics and reducing cost to serve (for instructional videos).
How can I access YouTube?
Access to YouTube is available to all internet users via You-Tube.com. Requests for internet access, together with an approved business case, can be forwarded to IS Security by the relevant approving manager.
Will I be able to upload videos to YouTube?
Access to upload, share or comment on YouTube content is restricted to users who are authorised, for specific business purposes, to publish content. Requests for such access, together with an approved business case, can be forwarded to IS Security by the relevant approving manager.
Can I access all content on YouTube?
Access to YouTube has been specifically and solely provided for educational and other business related purposes. Staff are reminded that all internet usage is monitored and logged and should be aware of and comply with related ESB policies, standards and guidelines. (See below)
Will all video communications be provided on YouTube?
For commercially or otherwise sensitive content, such as staff briefings and internal updates, ESBNet will continue to serve as the preferred medium to distribute internal video communications. For more details on publishing video content on either ESBnet or YouTube, send an email to iPublish@esb.ie.
