The Shared Directory and Endpoint Services (SDES) program is streamlining IT services across Ohio State’s colleges and departments. This project will standardize IT experiences, enhance collaboration, and provide consistent access to university resources regardless of location.
By reducing redundancies and enabling easier access to tools like Microsoft 365, we are supporting interdisciplinary research and teaching while improving operational efficiency. This initiative will simplify IT management and enhance user experiences across the university.
Timeline: June 2021 - TBD (Estimate: 2031)
What is SDES?
Shared Directory and Endpoint Services includes both Active Directory and endpoint management services. The Shared Directory is provided by OSUAD and Azure Active Directory Services. It is the infrastructure, processes, and frameworks for unit IT administrators to manage their users, groups, policies and resources. Endpoint Management Services include the platforms units use to support their devices including Microsoft Endpoint Management/InTune for Windows and JAMF services for MacOS.
Why SDES?
While the SDES project has been an innovative, technically complex project behind-the-scenes, the end result for those supported by the technology will be a straightforward upgrade in their daily IT experience. Users will immediately notice:
- Fewer password requests with biometric, pin, and passkey-based sign-ons
- Single sign-on to Microsoft 365 applications and ecosystems
- Simplified single Duo sign-on in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms on SDES
- A more consistent patching experience for Operating Systems and software applications
As more university unit and departments move to SDES, the benefits for users expand, opening up an experience with more opportunities for collaboration in teaching, learning, and research.
- Devices on SDES allow users to share traditional file and print resources across departments
- Devices on SDES allow users to share computing resources, avoiding guest accounts and complicated experience logging into resources in other departments
- OSUMC users can log into SDES devices for collaboration and the single sign-on experience
- Users can interact with a simplified Microsoft365 Ecosystem once the devices they work on are moved to SDES, especially for those groups using Azure solutions and PowerApps.
In addition to the enhanced user experience and collaborative abilities that come with SDES, it brings a simplified, efficient approach to technology and university resources.
Moving to SDES
Managed IT Services (MITS) Partners
The Office of Technology and Digital Innovation (OTDI) provides IT support to MITS partners across the university, including all regional campuses. OTDI will be moving all MITS departments to SDES beginning in 2025.
What does this process look like for MITS partners?
- The SDES project team will engage with each department to determine a timeline that works for that department.
- Users are able to self-migrate to SDES through a simple process that takes less than one hour. You can learn more about what the process looks like here [need ARC link].
- OTDI will make the migration available to users through Software Center for 3-4 weeks and will provide an end date for the self-migration process. Users who do not self-migrate during that time period will receive a prompt notification to migrate on the end date, at which time they will have to migrate their device.
- OTDI will communicate with departments about the overall project and directly with users as their self-migration time period approaches.
Distributed IT Units
SDES is a server available to distributed IT units through the OTDI Service Catalog.