Marquette Engineering Students Develop
New Software Installer
for Wireless Printing Anywhere on Campus

Released: 6/08/04

This fall, students at Marquette University will enjoy wireless printing capabilities thanks to a new software installer program designed by a team of Marquette engineering students.

Wireless, residence hall and Virtual Private Network (off-campus) users will be able to install software onto their personal computers or laptops and print to any campus PrintWise printer. The five Marquette computer engineering students worked closely with Marquette Information Technology (IT) Services and Pharos, the software vendor, to develop the installer for this service, which will be available over the Web to the entire student population this fall.

The project started after Marquette computer engineering student Michael Anthony learned from his part-time work at IT Services that consolidation was in progress from the seven existing print servers into one single server, and suggested that his group use the opportunity to develop the auto installer students could use for the new program. The engineering students wanted to do their term project on an initiative that would benefit the university community, and IT Services was thrilled to work with the students to implement the project sooner than originally expected.

Thus began a semester long road to the new software installer that will allow all Marquette students to download and install the new wireless print services with just a few clicks. The program will be pilot tested on a limited number of student computers this July, and will be unveiled for all new and returning students in time for use this fall semester.

Marc Belanger, Application Specialist for IT Services and Project Manager for the PrintWise consolidation project, commented on the effective partnership between the student engineers and IT Services specialists. “The students responded to our need for an easy, one-click method of installation. They understood the demand that this installer be as user-friendly as possible. They were dedicated and truly pulled this project off like industry professionals.”

Lynn Gunn, Director of Support Services for IT Services, was the advisor to the students for the project. “This has been a win-win-win endeavor for all of us. The students gained unmatched professional project experience, the entire student population will now benefit from the easy wireless printing capabilities they have been asking for, and the vendor has a more efficient installer. We could not have asked for a better group of students to work with.”

Engineering student Michael Anthony says the student team remains involved in the program, and will see it through to its launch this fall. He credits the flexiblity and support from IT Services as key in allowing them to take on a project of this magnitude in addition to their regular coursework. “We all look back at the many hours put into this project with great pride. Not only were we able to provide the university and our fellow students with a real service, but we all got solid project management experience that will help to launch our own careers. It was well worth the effort.”

PrintWise was introduced in spring 1998 to address an increasing amount of printing waste and abuse. It provides the university community with fast, secure, cost-effective and quality laser printing. The upgrade responds to high student demand for printing capabilities to match the enhanced wireless and networking components of the system.