ITS builds wifi, cloud computing capabilities with focus on sustainability

The future of learning at Northern Illinois University is becoming increasingly paperless as NIU’s Information Technology Services embarks on a journey to “green up NIU.”

The effort has its roots in NIU’s Vision 2020 Initiative, which places an emphasis on enhancing technology-related instruction and investment in that technology. The NIU Board of Trustees authorized an investment of just under $2 million for campus Wi-Fi expansion and cloud computing at its May, 2012 meeting.

In the next 12-18 months, NIU will achieve 100 percent wireless coverage, allowing access by many different devices, including laptops, tablets, smartphones and other wireless devices.

The wireless access and cloud computing capabilities will make NIU more sustainable and environmentally-friendly, as well as delivering software and services to students where they want it.