IT News and Announcements

12/19/24

Launching Soon: Panther Mobile – Your Digital Panther Card!

All the power of your Panther Card – on your mobile device! Panther Mobile is a mobile alternative to carrying a physical Panther Card, offering the convenience of digital access on your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android phone. 

With Panther Mobile, faculty and staff will be able to use their mobile device to: 

• Access campus buildings and rooms 
• Make purchases at dining locations and vending machines (coming soon) 
• Release copies from printers 
• View meal plans, FlexCredit, and Panther Cash balances at a glance 
• Use anywhere your physical Panther Card is used 

Program information and online resources will be available when Panther Mobile launches in January. 

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8/15/24

Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage Across Campus

The start of the fall semester brought expanded Wi-Fi across the Florida Tech campus. Throughout the summer, the Office of Information Technology installed new wireless access points throughout the vast majority of outdoor spaces on campus, as well as indoors at five highly utilized buildings.
 
Approximately 200 new outdoor wireless access points have been installed on the exterior of nearly all buildings on the Melbourne campus. The largest scope of outdoor work began in the spring of 2024 and wrapped up prior to the start of the Fall semester on August 19.
 
The outdoor access points allow those connected to eduroam, Florida Tech’s secure Wi-Fi network, to roam university grounds while experiencing continuous coverage. The Wi-Fi heat map notates the areas with expanded coverage in yellow.

Additionally, approximately 200 new indoor wireless access points have been installed in Crawford, Skurla, Olin Engineering, Olin Physical Sciences, and Panther Dining Hall. Work began during the Fall 2023 semester and wrapped up at the end of July 2024. Users should notice increased indoor Wi-Fi coverage while working, teaching, learning, or enjoying a meal within these buildings. 
 
“The Florida Tech IT Network team led by Erik Guadalupe (recently promoted to Sr. Director of Technology Services) have been working hard to build a robust network to help us meet the ever-increasing demand for the network connectivity necessary to continue to advance the university’s mission.” - Scott L. Ferguson, CIO

Further Plans for Growth

Before the end of the fall 2023 semester, IT installed 11 outdoor access points to the exterior of the Columbia Village residential buildings. That project sparked the continuous momentum for the current phase of network expansion.
 
Enhancements will continue throughout campus to increase Wi-Fi coverage and provide an improved network experience for all. Future plans include further Wi-Fi coverage in parking areas and indoor network upgrades throughout campus in academic, administrative, and residence buildings.

 

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