Managing the IT infrastructure at Saxion University, one of the Netherlands’ largest universities of applied sciences, can be an imposing challenge. Their environment spans 35,000 students and approximately 3,500 staff across 14 academies. The IT Support team led by Armin Tangelder, Manager of Service Desk and Support, handles an average of 4,000 support tickets every month.
The Challenge: Diverse Connectivity Needs in a Hybrid Landscape
The often-specialized user base of Saxion University introduces unique needs across the environment. Staff and students' devices need to be capable of managing basic tasks while also fulfilling the requirements of programs with high technical demands like connections to multiple monitors and 3D printers.
With these challenges in mind, Armen and his team decided they needed to take a hands-on approach to upgrading the university's hot desk and flexible docking stations. Their large environment and specialized needs meant they needed to find a single source of connectivity that could be easily deployed across their academies without generating new support needs.
“It's just an honest product. It delivers what it says and that for us is key."
- Armin Tangelder, Manager of Service Desk and Support, Saxion University
The Solution: A Rigorous Testing and Standardization Process
To address this, Saxion implemented a rigorous evaluation and testing process, driven by their status as a government-funded institution with strict budgetary constraints. They outlined a detailed set of product requirements:
Universal compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS.
Multiple port options and flexible video output including DisplayPort, HDMI, and 4K/5K support.
Compact design with mounting options for saving desk space.
Longevity, reliability, and minimal support overhead.
Samples were collected from multiple vendors, including StarTech.com, who provided two popular enterprise models:
DK30C2DPEP (NA) / DK30C2DPEPUE (EU)
DK30C2DPPD (NA) / DK30C2DPPDUE (EU)
These hybrid universal laptop docking stations were tested in a real-world environment — a lab setup mimicking all use cases across Saxion’s departments. As Armin described, “We had about the size of a basketball court, long tables with setups... we only want to use [equipment] that we can run for 5, 7, 10 years.” Ultimately, StarTech.com’s Hybrid Universal Docking Station (DK30C2DPPDUE) emerged as the sole solution that met every requirement.
The Benefits: Simplified Management and Seamless Compatibility
The selected docking station offered USB-C and USB-A compatibility, accommodating both legacy and modern devices, including Thunderbolt™ 3 laptops. This ensured seamless operation across Saxion’s broad range of academic programs and IT infrastructure. The docking solution featured:
Support for multiple monitors, including 4K and 5K resolutions.
VESA DisplayPort and DisplayLink certification.
Full 100W power delivery.
Secure mounting options, crucial in hot desking environments.
From an IT operations standpoint, the solution drastically reduced support overhead. Armin noted, “If you give them one little connector and say, just put it in your laptop, it will work — and it works — people are happy to see that.” That satisfaction translated into fewer support tickets, a key success metric for Armin’s lean support team of just seven people.
Smooth Rollout: Timely Delivery During a Global Shortage
One of the most significant hurdles was procuring nearly 2,000 docking units during a global supply chain shortage. StarTech.com, through their reliable channel partner Dustin, successfully delivered the full order on time. As Armin emphasized, “[StarTech.com] pulled through delivering the products we needed and couldn’t get anywhere else.” This ensured uninterrupted productivity and allowed the university to immediately deploy and activate fully equipped workstations for both students and staff.
“If you give them one little connector and say, just put it in your laptop, it will work — and it works — people are happy to see that.”
- Armin Tangelder, Manager of Service Desk and Support, Saxion University
Conclusion: A Lasting Partnership Built on Reliability
The partnership between Saxion University and StarTech.com illustrates how a universally compatible, performance-driven, and readily available docking solution can simplify IT infrastructure at scale. With the support of StarTech.com’s sales and product teams, Armin and his team implemented a future-ready solution that fits seamlessly into the university’s evolving hybrid work environment. “It’s just an honest product. It delivers what it says, and that for us is key.”
Learn more about StarTech.com Laptop Docking Stations at: www.startech.com/docking-stations