Campus Software Purchases

This page provides information pertaining to various questions about obtaining software for labs, office computers, and personal home computers. If this page does not provide the answers you're seeking, please contact Mike Holliday at x7140.

Once you have your information and are ready to place an order, or need assistance with pricing, contact Tish Yaros at x4685.

Campus Software Licenses

Find out more about specific software that may be available for office use.

General Information

When considering your software needs, ITS needs to know a few things:

  1. Who
    Who is requesting and who will be using the software? Knowing this will help us determine if there's other options available, or other potential licensing considerations (associated with the following questions).
  2. What
    What is the software being requested? Is it specialized, or general? Is it a standalone package or a networked site licensed product? Is it a one-time purchase, or does it need software assurance (SA is a concept where the software is purchased under the premise that new versions get released, and you're extending your purchase to cover those potential upgrades).
  3. Where
    Where is the software going to be installed? Is it for your office; for your personal home computer; for a class to use in a lab; all of the above? This information, again, helps to determine if there's licensing considerations that need to be made before you order the software.
  4. When
    When is the software required to be installed? If ordering for labs, it needs to be ordered during early spring so that it can be received and tested, before it gets deployed in the labs for the Fall semester. Timing is critical when considering lab software needs, as acquisition, testing and implementation take time.
  5. How
    How is the software going to be funded? Does it come with a textbook.  If so, what license restrictions apply? Depending on the location of where it's to be installed, it may require departmental funding (which requires account manager approvals). Lab software, typically, is funded through ITS via Academic Technology Funds - the caveat is it is based on available funds, which also considers the breadth of use by multiple courses/users. Sometimes, requests may be the preference of one instructor for one course that may be overly expensive - which are then "typically" funded by the department.
  6. Why
    Why do the previous questions matter?  Oftentimes, knowing where you want to go and how you get there will save you time and money. Not all application license terms are the same, and that can affect how you pursue or consider your purchase options. Having a game plan ahead of time will help expedite your request.

 

Policies and Other Considerations

Information Technology Services has outlined a Software Installation Policy & Procedures document to cover purchases/installations done on a personal level.

The ITS MicroLabs office has a Software Installation Policy Governing Labs and Podiums posted online.


Software for Home Use

There are a few packages that SVSU has obtained as "site-licensed" software, which are available for on-campus (university-owned) computer systems. Each have different options for personal home use. PLEASE DO NOT INSTALL HOME VERSIONS on University-owned equipment (contact ITS for assistance to get the proper version for your office).