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Absolute Software. Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, is a metropolitan research university with more than 16,000 students, and 2,000 faculty and staff. It began a laptop computer loaner program as part of a mandate to advance the technological access of its student body.

The program allowed students to sign out laptop computers to write papers, complete assignments and browse the Internet over a wireless network in the university's student union building. After a successful launch, the program increased the number of laptops available.

Keeping an accurate record of each laptop and enforcing return dates proved difficult for a small staff. It also was challenging to inspect each returned laptop for illegally downloaded programs and objectionable content. On top of this, more laptops were being lost and stolen.

To protect its laptops and ensure the vitality of the program, the university purchased ComputranceComplete from Absolute Software. The software provides users with computer theft recovery and secure asset tracking. Installing the product on loaner laptops allowed the program staff to view up-to-the-minute reports on each computer's activity. This also enabled staff members to set up e-mail alerts if a computer was not returned on time, or if unauthorized software had been installed. Missing or stolen laptops could be reported to Absolute Software's monitoring center, which tracks the IP address of the computer. Once the computer is connected to the Internet, Absolute Software works with law enforcement to track down and recover the laptop.

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PHOTO (COLOR): Boise State University, Boise, Idaho. Photo courtesy of Boise State University Relations & Photo Services