Cloud Computing
Greater Lawrence Tech School Implements Web-Based Access to Windows from Chromebooks
Greater Lawrence Technical School in
Andover, MA has implemented a Web-based tool to let students access Windows
software from their Chromebooks.
The school is in the process of moving to a completely cloud-based computing
environment, including printing, student information storage and financial
management. As part of that move, the school has implemented Chromebooks for
student use. However, students at the technical school need to access
specialized software for their auto repair, culinary, dental, marketing and
other technical programs, and much of that software runs on the Windows
operating system only.
To enable the students to access those Windows applications from their
Chromebooks, the school implemented browser-based access technology from Ericom Software. Ericom is a "zero endpoint
installation" meaning that the client computers don't need to install any
specialized software in order to use the system. Instead, they just launch a
Web browser on their Chromebook, laptop or desktop computer, log on to the
system and run the Windows software through the browser. According to
information from the company, the school implemented the system in only an
hour.
Now students, faculty and staff use Ericom Software to access applications
such as Dentrix dental software, Microsoft Office, Virtual Business software,
Adobe Reader and other Windows-based applications. While students are using
Ericom to access software on their Chromebooks, faculty are using it to access
softare through PC and Mac computers.
Now that the system is in place, the school is planning to expand Ericom to
other areas of the curriculum.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at leilameyer@gmail.com.