Business Challenge
Jointly established by New York University (NYU) and East China
Normal University in 2013, New York University Shanghai (NYU
Shanghai) is the third degree-granting campus in NYU’s global
network, joining NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU’s main campus in New York
City.
The first Sino-US joint venture university in China, NYU Shanghai
combines the best of Chinese and American education, creating a
new kind of higher-education model that has been attracting
students from all over the world.
Computing Environment and Challenges
NYU Shanghai’s computer labs are predominantly equipped with
Mac® devices. Currently, the university has over 200
iMac®, excluding units granted to students through
its Mac-only student loan program.
“Mac is our preferred hardware, but we also need to use
Windows-based academic software such as ArcGIS® and
Minitab®, as well as popular business applications
like Microsoft® Excel®, Word®,
and the like,” said Chai Kan, macOS® and Linux
Administrator at Academic Technology Service, NYU Library. The
team at Academic Technology Service provides the IT support for
the university.
Added Kan, “We needed a cost-effective solution that could solve
Windows compatibility issues while providing a stable,
user-friendly environment for our Mac users without wasting time
and resources dealing with technical issues and multiple
reboots.”
NYU Shanghai has limited classroom space, so an extra room for an
additional Windows-only lab setup was not an option. The
university was not willing to allocate the additional cost
associated with running and maintaining dual machines, just to
accommodate ArcGIS and Minitab.
Solutions
NYU Shanghai decided to deploy Parallels Desktop for Mac Business
Edition not only to make it easier for staff and students using
ArcGIS, Minitab, and other Windows applications, but also to
improve productivity. Unlike before, they no longer need to
switch frequently between macOS and Windows.
“We looked at other competing solutions, but they did not fit our
requirements,” said Kan. “They either offer unacceptable reboot
times or their costs do not commensurate with their
performance.”
NYU Shanghai found Parallels Desktop Business Edition a stable
platform that is easy to use, even for entry-level users,
enabling faculty and students to focus on teaching and studying,
respectively, instead of worrying about technical support.
"Since Parallels Desktop provides a Windows-only mode, users can
run Windows-only software directly like the original programs in
Mac,” added Kan.
“Parallels has built a solid reputation for its customer
service, and so far, we’re happy with their service and
support.”
Chai Kan
macOS and Linux Administrator
NYU Shanghai also likes that they can easily configure Parallels
Desktop Business Edition to suit their requirements. Parallels
Desktop Business Edition also integrates better with macOS,
provides better quality, and allows systems to run faster. In
addition, the Parallels Desktop solution allows the IT team to
keep things seamless; users have no idea they are running two
systems.
Results
Running Windows directly on a Mac has saved NYU Shanghai a lot of
money, as the university did not have to make an additional
investment in Windows computers or set up an additional lab for
Windows, just to run required educational software
applications.
Using Parallels Desktop Business Edition has increased
productivity by enabling users to run Mac and Windows
applications side by side, without rebooting. It has also made a
difference in speed and performance, such as when running 3-D,
software applications in Windows, which students and faculty do
frequently. NYU Shanghai also likes the platform’s stability, as
well as the constant software upgrades, ensuring not just a
great user experience, but peace of mind for the IT team.
“It’s also very important to highlight that Parallels has built a
solid reputation for its customer service, and so far, we’re
happy with their service and support. They can help resolve any
problem with the software quickly.” said Kan. “Overall, our
students and faculty have had a stunningly perfect experience
with the Parallels Desktop solution. They can run Windows
software on their favorite hardware, and the IT team does not
need to worry about setting up a separate Windows-only lab to
meet the school’s Windows-based application requirements.
Overall, Parallels has provided NYU Shanghai convenience, cost
savings, and productivity.”
