IT Department Restrictions 3

[FOETS]

How much do IT interfere and limit your computing power.

Typical restrictions we have at a new company I have recently joined
Unable to download any program, driver, camera pictures, etc.
Cannot run anything from CD, DVD (whats that)
Cannot change any basic setting (e.g. power options so my computer switches off every 5 minutes).

All these mods have to be done through IT; as I guess it protects their usefullness.

We are fortunate to still have email & internet access, though highly restricted.

Who allowed some evil little I.T. dictator to take over the world at some point?
Damn, Bill Gates will now crash my Windows Unco-Operating system.

FOETS
Social Drinker with a Golfing Problem

 

[ctopher]

If you were allowed to do what you like on the company pc, you would be complaining a lot more about pc problems and how IT wouldn't have time to fix them. They would be too busy fixing all others pc's because of c**p loaded onto their pc's.
There has to be control from IT.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

 

[ewh]

The problem sometimes stems from IT taking TOO much control, more than is necessary. Our corporate IT dept takes it upon themselves to set security settings in our CAD program and part folders and directories. We are the only site with this CAD package, and there are some settings that we need to control to keep it running smoothly. It seems like every time we get things set correctly, everything gets reset overnight from corporate. I've finally thrown up my hands in frustration. When I am asked why we can't control something (such as drawing default settings or released files), I just smile and say that there's nothing I can do about it, call corporate.
If we have any computer problems, we are supposed to fill out a work order and send it to corporate. This is a multi-national company, and as I've posted above, we are the only site with this CAD package (and this type of product development). We're supposed to have them fix something that they know nothing about. Fortunately, we have one IT guy on site, so of course, we have to work behind "their" backs to actually get anything done.
Sorry about the rant. Some control is good, but sometimes IT depts can go a bit overboard and try to control too much.

 

[MadMango]

A little dialog and exhibited restraint can go a long way towards gaining some freedom back from the IT Department. A box of donuts doesn’t hurt either.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[DaveVikingPE]

Right. If there's anyone who you should be happy to bribe it's your IT folks. Bond with them.

 

[whyun]

Why do most IT guys love donuts, Doritos and soda?

IT having too much control would bother me but there has to be a line drawn somewhere. No access to CD/DVD drives and downloading digital photos off your camera is going too far. There might have been a guy who watched too many DVDs on company time.

IT folks, in my opinion, should have power to limit programs installed on the workstations and all the drivers.

 

[MadMango]

The more standardized the computer configs, the easier they are to troubleshoot and repair. I would want that if I was in IT. As soon as people start installing weird programs (bad copies of Drempls, etc), there is no telling what could be causing a problem.

Of course that doesn't explain why we are running W2K, XP Pro, OSX... I also think it's funny that folks here have CD/DVD players, but IT has omitted the sound cards.

I have found that you can argue almost anything with IT (and win your case) if you have solid documentation and ROI numbers.


"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[zuccus]

We have an unwritten philosphy around here, when you start working you get no permissions to change anything. You gradually have to earn and prove what you need access too. Our IT guys are pretty understanding so its not like you have to name your first kid after them or anything.


Zuccus

 

[csd72]

Keep sending work orders until they get the message - even if it is 50 a day. If you bypass the system they will never be aware of it.

This will at least get someone on the phone asking you why you need so much IT time. You can make them aware of the cause and effect.

 

[Tomfh]

Those restrictions are far too harsh. Yes end users should not have admin rights, but not allowing downloading of photos and not allowing access to the CD/DVD is ridiculous.

 

[winpop123]

In my opinion, IT has sort of become like lawyers. The more of them there are the more you need because they create most of the problems and generate their own work.

From what you describe, I would say that is far too restrictive. The only way to stop or slow the problem is to get someone in your company that is on par or above the IT manager to buy into the fact that what is happening is counter productive. The IT dept. will want to build their own little empire and you won't be able to stop it without manger support.

Put together actual numbers they can use like hours spent per month staring at the ceiling due to computer issues.

good luck

 

[Ussuri]

Consider yourself lucky. Until recently we used to get new PC's (with CD ROM Drives) and IT used to take them all out so staff had no access to a CD drive. They have relaxed it now so if you get a new pc with a CD drive you get to keep it, but there are still those without one.

 

[whyun]

Cost difference between a CDROM drive and CD-ReWritable drives is nil yet many firms do not have the ReWritable drives for perhaps security reasons.

Taking all the CDROM drives out from the new computers probably costs the company a lot more money than the cost of the drive itself.

 

[drawoh]

FOETS,

Once upon a time, I was the system administrator for a network of Sun SPARCstations running AutoCAD. This was in addition to my mechanical design resposibilities. I love UNIX, and I still run Linux on my home computers. It is time for #$&%* SolidWorks to bring out their Linux version.

On any computer, you want to be using the system administrator's favourite software. This software will be well understood and supported. Obviously, I had UNIX AutoCAD worked out thoroughly. Less obviously, I got very good with UNIX PordWerfect. Even less obviously, people running UNIX Lotus-123 were on their own. It was buggy, and I did not use it much, and I did not learn how to work it and fix it. Neither did the other administrators.

I think there is a good case for someone in the drafting and engineering department being trained as a system administrator. Mechanical CAD is just about the most abusive thing you can do to your computer. You need an administration resource that responds quickly and successfully to engineering's requests.

One of my administration strategies was to write up instructions for installing and repairing each computer that I was responsible for. When things got busy and I did not have time to help, I could tell people to RTFM. Other administrators could repeat any of my installs if they had to. This would make it easy for an engineering department administrator to implement and follow company administration policies.

Having said all that, it is not your computer. Your company is responsible for any naughty stuff you do on the machine. There are lots of idiots out there who install porn, video games and other things they downloaded off the internet, legal or otherwise, ignoring SolidWorks' advice to keep your machine pristine if you want stability, and affecting the stability and security of the company network.

The administrator could be a control freak. Perhaps there is a history of stupid conduct.

JHG

 

[FOETS]

Seems like our IT is a little more over zealous (or power crazed) than others posted here.
The reasons for complete lock down are as you say probably the result of flagrant misuse by a few clowns in the past; plus the threat of some viruses and nasties getting into their systems.
Its workable but frustrating having to ask all too often as we are remote from their office

IT's only saving grace is they aren't quite as bad as HR; HR set the bar extremely low.

FOETS
Social Drinker with a Golfing Problem

 

[ScottyUK]

Our IT department management style has ranged from something resembling a third world dictatorship through to a really good working relationship. Currently we are in the latter state I'm happy to say. We went through the nonsense FOETS describes during the earlier phase and it was hard work. Most of the problems were due to one or two people with personality disorders promoted too far up the ladder rather than with the department generally, and they've moved on elsewhere.

Overall the electrical & control engineers here have a pretty good relationship with IT because we manage the installation of their infrastructure (fibre / cable / UPS) and in return we get reasonably fast response to our problems and a fair degree of flexibility in the application of 'the rules'. We also speak a lot of the same language because Engineering runs a Unix-based private network for the distributed control systems and we tend to assist each other with problems and hardware loans. Being next door to their office has benefits too. MadMango's post has a lot of merit.


----------------------------------

Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...

 

[prohammy]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Be careful. There are many wonderful toys that your local IT guy will have to see what you are doing/saying (about them) in cyberspace. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING.


PS I have been watching 'Conspiracy Theories' this weekend, so I have a heightened sense of paranoia

Kevin Hammond

Mechanical Design Engineer
Derbyshire, UK

 

[HgTX]

Our current crop of ground-level IT techs are quite helpful. It's the level above them that seems to think that their job is to keep us from doing things, rather than to help us do our jobs. They've gotten ridiculous power in ridiculous areas.

Before the tech crash, I attributed this to the fact that anyone working in my government sector instead of the lucrative tech field either just needed a break or was too incompetent to go get a job that paid 3x as much. The "just needed a break" crew was too laid-back to be moving up in management, so the higher ranks of IT were in the incompetent category. The higher ranks are mostly still there, so I guess I don't really have to revise my assessment post-tech crash.

In addition, there's a lot of insecurity there. They're not engineers, and they're not out working on the roads, so they need to do something to show that they're important and not "just" administrative. So they convince the computer-illiterate aging white males in charge that what they do is really vital, and they get lots of power.

That said, oddly enough, our restrictions are mostly policy rather than actual ability. I was rather shocked to discover we had admin privileges on our workstations (at least we used to; I follow the rules, so I haven't tested this recently). They pretty much count on us being too illiterate to do any real harm, though of course it's the most illiterate who are most likely to download something stupid.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[michfan]

Where I work, small family owned company, one of the sons (about 19 or 20 I'd guess) is the designated "it" guy. He spends more time dreaming up new titles then fixing things. This week he is "Director of Technology Services" or some other such baloney...

He didn't load anything on to my computer when I started - I've done it all myself. Last week he tried to take my mouse away (the Dell roller ball mouse that came with the system) and replace it with a $50 wireless ball-less mouse.

I told him to back off, I'm happy with my mouse... he'll have to justify that title on someone else's system.

So is it worse to have a know-it-all college kid as your it person, or a room full of graduated lackeys?

I've found if I have problems with anything, I just email my brother where he works and I have an answer and a fix in just a few minutes. If I had to wait for our Director to fix it, it could take days!

 

[csd72]

If IT wont let you download photos, keep sending them a formal request each time you have photographs stating that they are holding up the project.

If you cop any flak, then you can use these as evidence of how IT is holding you up.

The IT guys are generally lazy and will eventually take the easy way out and give you the access rights.