December 2003
Network on track for connected users by year-end
The ORION network is on-track for its target of connected users at year-end, reports Andre Quenneville, ORION's Manager of Marketing and Communications. Ryerson University and the University of Toronto are the most recent institutions to sign-up to connect to ORION, bringing the network's list of users to 34 earlier this week, heading into the New Year.
"We're on track with our target of at least 40 user organizations by the end of 2003," he said. Users now include 15 universities, eight colleges, two teaching hospitals, four school boards, three research centres, one Centre of Excellence and one major project (SHARCNET). A few more users are planning to sign up by December 31.
To date, at least a third of Ontario's 25 colleges of applied arts and technology are connected to the ORION network - for some enjoying connectivity to CA*net 4 and global research and education networks for the very first time.
"There will be a transition period. Part of our work is introducing ORION users to the benefits of high-speed connectivity among institutions and to other networks in Canada and around the world. ORION opens up new possibilities and new opportunities for colleges in research, education and learning" he said. "For many of them, ORION levels the playing field. They can now enjoy the same level of connectivity as the institutions in the larger cities."
ORION will hold information sessions at some of the colleges in the near future. "We'll bring speakers and give demonstrations of how the ORION network can be put to use in several areas, from distributed computing, to resource sharing and administrative efficiencies, to advanced video conferencing, to access to large databases and online services. We know from our business plan consultation process that colleges, especially those in the more remote regions, are very enthusiastic about ORION and are anxious to learn more about how their researchers and educators can utilize the network and its capabilities."
The eight colleges currently connected include Confederation (Thunder Bay), Cambrian (Sudbury), Durham (Oshawa), Fanshawe (London), Lambton (Sarnia), Seneca (Toronto) and Sheridan (Oakville).
Confederation’s new director of Computer Services Paul Inkila, for one, is very pleased with the network’s performance. “It’s been smooth sailing … not a single hiccup,” he said. The college has been connected to the network since September. He noted the college is looking forward to exploring full use of the network and connectivity to CA*net 4 and other networks.
ORION is also just finalizing its agreement with GTAnet, a new consortium of institutions that came together to connect to ORION, which includes four additional colleges that will connect to ORION.
York University, Ryerson University and the University of Toronto are part of GTAnet's 12 founding members. The consortium also includes Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Centennial College, George Brown College, the Hospital for Sick Children, Humber College, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, the University Health Network and the Ontario College of Arts and Design. GTAnet hopes to have all members connected by mid-2004.
Other organizations throughout Ontario are expected to sign on to ORION in the next several weeks and months. "We're confident of achieving our target of 60 users by March 31," said Quenneville.
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