B.Y.O.D. Vs. The Surface Pro

By: GABRIELLE PUIG ‘17
PTS Falconer Staff

About 9 years ago, Palmer Trinity had decided to introduce the “Bring Your Own Device” (B.Y.O.D.) option to students. When exploring this new system, Gus Sabogal, Director of Technology, explained that one of the major issues he encountered with the B.Y.O.D. Program was that personal devices such as the iPad and iPhone would yield personal information once on the network.

Sabogal continued by explaining the importance of being able to provide service to the devices of the students on campus. With the B.Y.O.D. Program, it became increasingly costly for TechZone to purchase software and licenses for all the various types of devices that the students had. Costs continued to inflict upon the school when TechZone attempted to provide services to devices that weren’t covered, resulting in the school having to be responsible for the costs of the repairs.

So, in order for service to be accessible to students on campus, there needs to be a uniformity of devices. However, uniformity of devices is not the only reason why TechZone decided to require students to use the Surface Pro. The decision was made principally because the Surface Pro fulfilled all the requirements the students and faculty wanted from the new computer TechZone was going to choose. Some of the requirements included: a tablet, the ability to install programs and apps, keyboard and mouse integrated, digital pen, usb ports, and a good warranty plan. The Surface Pro was the only device on the market that had the capacity to please all the needs of the Palmer Trinity Community.

Yet, while being able to fulfill the needs of the majority of the Palmer Trinity population, criticism of the requirement of the Surface Pro prevails. Due to the community of Palmer Trinity being so diversified, TechZone recognizes that not every single person can conform to the same type of device. Therefore, Sabogal reveals that TechZone is going to be holding a meeting with faculty in plenary to discuss the devices they will support in the future. TechZone claims to have their “eyes and ears open” for new ideas for the future device that adheres to all the wishes of students and faculty. Sabogal’s future plan to accommodate everyone, he states, is for students to be able to have 2 or 3 devices to choose from. “We are working on that,” he says. “However, we are, I think 1 or 2 years from that currently.”