Software

Overview

ITS supports and provides assistance for Academic and Administrative & Business systems software. If you cannot find the information you are looking for click the button below and someone from ITS will assist you. 

Software Available

Several common or standard/approved software and web applications are made available to employees to install on their office computer system without assistance from ITS. If you run into an issue please click the button below, and someone from ITS will assist you.

Software List Available (A-Z)

This is a list of software available on campus, licensing restrictions may apply.  If you need to install any of the available software on your University owned device, please refer to this section of the document on How to Install Software on University-Owned Computers. You may not be able to install all of this software on your own, do to licensing restrictions. 

Click the collapsible panels below to view the list of software as needed.  If you run into an issue please click the button below, and someone from ITS will assist you. 

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Software Available - University Owned

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How to Install Software

Install Software - University Owned

Several common or standard/approved software applications are made available to employees to install on their office computer system. View list of available and approved Software Available on Campus. 

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Admin by Request

Admin By Request (ABR) is a utility used by ITS to help facilitate software installations for SVSU faculty and/or for unique software needs.  Since computers no longer have administrator privileges, users must request assistance and permission to install software on the computers.  In some cases, the software may need to be elevated to run as an adminstrator.  In other cases, the software may have already been pre-approved for installation.  If you receive a prompt when using software, asking for administrator privileges, Admin By Request may be the bridge to help get the job done quickly.  

Once ABR is installed, you may download software onto your system.  However, it's the installation process or execution of the software that will require permission to be run on the system.  The instructions that follow provide steps on how to request software to be granted permission. 

Please note: all software requests must be vetted for software compliance and does take time to review (plan in advance of your need and make sure you've done your homework as outlined in the Software Purchasing and Installation Policy).  

Using Admin by Request

ABR is available for both Mac Devices and Windows Devices, below you can find the how to instructions. Click the Collapsible panels below as needed for your machine.

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Software for Personal Home Use

There are various personal home use options for SVSU employees and students. View the list of Available Software for Home Use for Students and Employees, (opens a new window). 

Software Requirement of Home Use
IMPORTANT NOTE: For university-owned systems, please install from the Software Center for Windows or SVSU Mac Self Service. Please DO NOT INSTALL HOME USE VERSIONS. As part of the SVSU licensing agreements, users agree that all installed copies of personal home use software provided by SVSU must be uninstalled when you are no longer an employee or registered student of SVSU.  

Available Software for Home Use Portal

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SVSU Virtual Computer Labs

Important Note:  If you have a personal computer that is capable of running the software for your class, we highly recommend you visit the home use software downloads page and install the software on your computer. 

The SVSU Virtual Computer Labs can be accessed from any device that has an Internet connection and web browser.

Virtual Lab Use Cases

The Virtual Labs fall in to these use cases:

• General Lab - The general lab contains software that is normally found in a Classroom or Open Lab on campus.
• Geography and Science, Engineering & Technology Lab - This virtual lab contains the software for Geography and SET on campus labs.  

Connecting to the SVSU Virtual Labs Environment

Click SVSU Virtual Labs to access the SVSU Virtual Labs environment.  If you are not already logged into your SVSU account you will be prompted by Microsoft to "Pick an account".  Pick your SVSU account.   You will be directed to a login page.  Use your SVSU ID and Password.  Multi-Factor Authentication is activated for the SVSU Virtual Labs environment. Note:  Performance will be impacted by your Internet bandwidth/speed.

• Once you are logged into the SVSU Virtual Labs you will be presented with the Virtual Labs available to you.  Click on the Virtual Lab icon that best meets your needs based on the use cases mentioned above.  
• A "Access local resources" pop-up window will appear.  If you intend to use information from your local computer clipboard or want to print leave the boxes checked.  Then click the Allow button.
• Using your SVSU id and password "Enter your credentials" as requested.
• You will be presented with the "System Use Notification", click OK after you have read the notification.
• You are now on the SVSU Virtual Lab "Computer." Note:  The first time that you use a Microsoft Office Product (i.e. Word, Excel, Powerpoint) you may be prompted for your SVSU Id and Password.

Saving Documents in the Virtual Labs Environment

Save your files to your OneDrive as you are not guaranteed to get the same SVSU Virtual Lab Computer each time you visit the site.  IT Support will not be able to retrieve any documents that you save on the SVSU Virtual Lab Computer.

Shutting Down / Logging Off of the Virtual Lab Environment

Follow the steps below to log off the virtual machine:

1. Sign out of the virtual machine. Click on the Windows Icon in the Toolbar, click on the person icon at the top of the menu that appears, and then select "Sign out". You will now see the home page of the SVSU Virtual Labs.
2. Sign out of the Virtual Labs web page. Click on your name in the top right of the Virtual Labs web page and then select Sign Out. There will now be a Microsoft page indicating to "Pick an account". You may now close your web browser.

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Software for Computer Labs Guidelines

Most campus software upgrades for the next school year are tested and installed during the summer, and begin with requests made during the Winter semester or earlier. Software requests for university-owned systems may include the following, please take note of the deadline dates below:

• Curriculum-specific software that may be used alone or in conjunction with textbooks
• Add-ins for software such as Microsoft Word or Excel
• Special templates and fonts 
• Plug-ins for web browsers

April 14 is the deadline for requesting software and funding for inclusion in the Fall budget and classroom and lab images (after testing for compatibility is performed).. 

June 30 is the deadline for all software, documentation, installation, configuration, and testing instructions for departmental purchases.

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Computer Labs - Licensing and Purchasing

All software requests must follow the compliance guidelines posted for Software Purchasing and Installation Policy regardless of cost.  Since lab software is typically accessed by students, it is imperative to abide by the compliance requirements (VPAT - accessibility attestment by vendor).

ITS will consider the funding and purchase of software which is required for classes by more than one department. Cost-sharing with requesting departments may be necessary. Budget restrictions may limit the ability of ITS to purchase all software requested. Licenses do not need to be purchased for software that is already in the labs unless additional access for a limited-use program is needed.

Software used for a specific class must be purchased by the department using it. All software applications must be properly vetted/licensed by ITS or the department prior to implementation. New software not funded by ITS must have the licensing documentation and media provided to ITS prior to installation. The department requesting the software installation is responsible for purchasing the appropriate number of licenses based on either student use or computer installation. Contact the Support Center, x4225 for information on lab usage statistics.

• Individual licenses require the purchase of a single license for every computer where the software is installed.
• Site licenses are a flat rate typically based on a scale of the total number of computers on the network (or based on FTE counts).
• Lab packs are priced in groups based on computers within a single lab, such as 5, 10, or 25 computers.
• Concurrent licenses require the purchase of a sufficient number of licenses based on estimates of how many users are actually using the software simultaneously at any one point in time, and generally are accompanied by license manager software.

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Computer Labs - Installation and Support

Users must inform ITS of any special details regarding configuration of the software, including instructions and participation for testing the software once it is installed. If these are not provided, the software will be installed using the default settings.

Although ITS will make every attempt to accommodate software requests, occasionally certain pieces of software will not work in the campus network environment. New software that is submitted for installation must be supported by the vendor under the current operating system. Users are encouraged to upgrade their existing curricular programs whenever possible. ITS reserves the right to remove software that is no longer supported under an operating system. ITS will install and configure the software, but cannot provide technical support for all software for all individual users. Users should contact the vendor of the software for technical support, as needed.

Please note: Computer labs use specialized software to protect the images from changes, to ensure consistent and reliable operating environments. Every reboot will refresh or revert to its original settings.

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Computer Labs - Textbook Student Software

Software licensed to students, often included with textbooks, or sold at a nominal fee (that does not require the computer to be rebooted) may be used at the owner's discretion. You are encouraged test the software on a classroom or lab computer, or contact ITS for testing.

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Computer Labs - Checklist

1. Determine location and number of seats needed. If this is a new request, include the approximate cost.
2. Complete the New Software Request Form.
3. If approved and funded, no further action is necessary until the testing phase. If approved but not funded, you will be notified and you must independently purchase the software and sufficient licenses, and then deliver the software and documentation to ITS by the announced deadline.
4. Test the software prior to the first class period.

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SVSU Software Acceptable Use Clause

As stated in the University INTERNET, ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND COMPUTING RESOURCES ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP), all employees of the University shall honor and follow copyright and license laws of computer software. This policy expands on the AUP to define proper procedures for software installation.

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Information Technology Related Purchases Policy

“All software, regardless of cost, must be purchased through a Purchase Requisition.  ITS department approval will happen through the Purchase Requisition routing process and does not need to be secured in advance of initiating the Purchase Requisition.   This method is required to ensure that the University is aware of all licensing and related tracking requirements. Procurement cards and Check Requisitions may not be used for any software purchase (excludes tablet and handheld software).  
… Information technology related purchases are still subject to the required departmental/vice president approvals specified in the separate Purchasing, Check Requisition and Procurement Card policies.”

Software Compliance.  Depending on the software use, you may be required to have the vendor fill-out the Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Tool (Hecvat) for data security compliance, and you will need to provide documentation on the software's compliance with Accessibility guidelines (called VPAT - Voluntary Product Accessibility Template).  Business Services, Office of Accessibility Resources and Accommodations and Information Technology Services will provide guidance on these items.

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SVSU Purchased Software Installed on Personally-Owned Computer

Software purchased by SVSU, for university employee devices, shall not be installed on personally-owned computers – except for site-licensed software that is managed or controlled by an automated process that grants use based on user authentication (i.e. Microsoft Office 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud).  While some software may allow an install on a work device and a home device, there is no way for the university to guarantee 1) they cannot be run at the same time, or 2) the removal of software from personal devices; and therefore it is not allowed to be installed on home computers.

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Personally Purchased Software Installed on University-Owned Computers

SVSU will not allow personally-owned or personally purchased software to be installed on university computers. If a piece of software is required for the employee to conduct their university business, it should be purchased through the proper channels to ensure the license fully complies with all university legal requirements.

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ITS Software License Management

• ITS will retain the installation media of all software purchased by the University.
• In cases where Library staff do installations of database access software, the Library will retain an installation copy of the media and will make a backup copy for ITS’ files.
• ITS will install all software purchased by the University.
• All software installed on University owned systems must be accounted for through some form of proof of purchase and copies of EULA .
• ITS will perform periodic audits to ensure software compliancy. Proof of purchase and copies of EULA agreements are required pieces of evidence towards compliancy.
• ITS will perform a migration of software and data from one University owned computer to a replacement unit owned by the University.  This may occur when a unit either becomes non-repairable or through periodic replacement plans.
• ITS will retain a copy of the hard drive image for no more than 30 days after a system migration has been performed.  It is the responsibility of the employee to ensure they have the appropriate and legal software/data on their system backed up to either their M:\drive, OneDrive, or alternate media (DVD/CD/USB flashdrive).

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Software License and Metering Procedure

Purpose

To manage the licenses and metering of software.

Procedure

• A license management system will be maintained and kept in service (currently KeyServer) that is able to report on and enforce license restrictions.
• All software purchased will be entered into a license management system, and include a reference to the PO# and the number of licenses purchased. (ITS Administrative Secretary is currently doing this)
• If the software has a limited number of instances permitted, the specific number of licenses purchased will be set up in the license management system so that the maximum number permitted is not exceeded (Compliance Report monitored by Sr. Technology Specialist).
• All software purchased will be tracked by the license management system and will be reportable on request.
• With the removal of Local Admin privileges, ITS is going to be directly involved in software installations (purchased, or requested).  

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