University Information Technology (UIT) is in the beginning stages of searching for a more up-to-date e-mail system that would take the place of the current Trumpeter Webmail platform.
According to Senior Lecturer in Civil and Environmental Engineering Lee Minardi, chair of the Information Technology Committee made up of student and faculty representatives, the general goal is to improve the e-mail system for students and faculty.
Dawn Irish, UIT director of communications and organizational effectiveness, echoed this sentiment, noting that the new e-mail system will be a definite improvement over Trumpeter.
"There will be a better and intuitive user interface, greater collaboration with document sharing, more storage capacity, better compatibility with mobile and handheld devices, and a better experience with the new system," Irish said.
The change is not because of problems with the current Trumpeter system, but rather stems from the desire to find a more modern, low-cost option, according to Irish.
"There was no specific problem," Irish said. "It is just time to replace the system. We have had Trumpeter for 10 years, and we want to get a new system that is more user-friendly and has a more modern interface."
Minardi agreed with Irish that for the most part, Trumpeter has been effective for users. "Trumpeter overall is not a major problem, and it's serving most users pretty well," he said.
Minardi noted, however, that based on his own experience communicating with students, he has noticed that the percentage of students using tufts.edu e-mail addresses has declined over the past few years.
He also explained that many faculty members have trouble with Trumpeter when traveling or transferring large documents.
Assistant Professor of Mathematics Genevieve Walsh, who is also a committee member, believes the issue of Trumpeter's usability is prompting the desire to replace it.
"I know [Trumpeter] is not very user-friendly," Walsh said. "I don't use Trumpeter, and I think that the main reason for switching was to make the e-mail more user-friendly."
Irish explained that the replacement project is still in its beginning stages. Over the summer, the products available on the market will be evaluated, and a decision will be made shortly after classes begin in the fall. Students will then beginning in 2011 be able to switch to the new system.
The university is still considering a number of e-mail platforms and will seek to find one which best serves its needs, according to Irish.
"There are a number of different options that the university is looking at," Irish said. "There are a couple of products that always come to the forefront when you research what's available, and those are Gmail and MicrosoftLive@edu. Everyone should have an opportunity to work with the system in the best way for them."
Irish noted that UIT will be conducting a student survey from April 12 to 23 to give students a chance to indicate what is important to them in an e-mail platform.
Minardi indicated the important role that compatibility with new types of technology will play in the selection of the new system.
"I think that it's been interesting…the transition to smart phones…and with these devices changing the way people work and how they get information, and how they use e-mail," Minardi said. "They are causing us to change how we work with technology and what software we would like to use in the future so that we have a grasp of the fast-moving changes in technology."
