Work Area Service Description

Deskside Services provide PC support for members of the University staff to enable them to log in to the campus network, to access their University email, and to view the University's intranet 'insite'. The service includes both troubleshooting and re-imaging of IT Services recommended PCs and laptops, and initial setup and installation of the same.

Support for non-standard desktop PCs, laptops and local printers, together with IT equipment disposal is provided by our 3rd Party Supplier based on campus. Provision of these services and the ongoing maintenance and warranty of PCs, is available either with an ad hoc charge, or through an annual maintenance payment.

The services we can offer you include:
  • Install and set up an IT Services recommended desktop PC or a laptop with an IT Services supported image
  • Assist with the installation of standard software
  • Support for Apple Mac computers
  • Making data (network) points live for you to connect your desktop PC or printer to the network
  • Connect and dis-connect equipment if you wish to move your PC
  • Security marking for laptops - a stencil which is difficult for thieves to remove (the compound melts into the plastic), increasing the likelihood of recovery if the equipment is stolen.
  • Perform a scan of your PC or laptop to detect virus activity
  • Provision of advice on the purchase of a new desktop PC, notebook or printer from our recommended and supported equipment list
  • Buying a PC, Laptop, Netbook check out ITS recommended models here: IT equipment purchase
  • IT Equipment Disposal
Services available from our on-campus 3rd party supplier include:


Services excluded from the Deskside service:
  • Office moves

Deskside service levels

Equipment can normally be used 24*7, however the Deskside support service is only available during normal working hours.

All services provided by the Deskside team are non-chargeable. Those services used which feature our 3rd Party Supplier will be quoted for directly by them on your request.

Workarea service description

The provison of computers in pre-defined rooms, for use by any member of the University. Some rooms can be booked by staff for teaching purposes. Many of our computer rooms can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with access controlled by your University card, although some are available only during the day.

The computers are all connected to the network and the Internet and provide access to workarea printers, the Library online catalogue, and a wide range of software applications including essentials such as Microsoft Office and e-mail as well as many specialist teaching applications.

All work areas are running the Windows XP operating system (apart from room A0.01 - SUSE Linux). Each computer has a hard disk for the temporary storage of files but these are cleared after each session so data should be stored on your own home directory (H: drive under Windows).

The service includes:

  • The setup and maintenance of a room on behalf of the University Accommodation Committee
  • A published list of work-area locations, opening times, and an acceptable use policy
  • Purchase, installation and set up of equipment in a work-area
  • Equipment replacement on a planned cycle
  • Regular checking of the work-areas. Daily in the most heavily used areas.
  • Re-imaging of work-area machines on a planned cycle
  • Replenishment of printer consumables
  • Maintenance and servicing of work-area printer
  • Re-imaging of work-area machines in response to incidents
  • Ability to book specific work-areas for teaching purposes

List of standard requests

  • Request to book a work-area for teaching
  • Request to book a work-area for external use

Availability

Majority of the IT Services workareas are open during building opening times. To find the location of an IT Services workarea, visit the Work Area Location page.

Some workareas are open 24 hours a day, with University card controlled access. These include:

  • Rooms R0.39 and R0.41, underneath the Main Library.
  • Social Studies S0.01, S0.02 and S0.04.
  • Maths/Stats A0.01, A0.02, A0.03

Constraints

  • Work-area opening is dependent upon the building in which it is located. Access may require a current University card or a key-pad code
  • The service is available to members of the University
  • Work-areas can only be booked by a member of the University
  • In term-time a work-area cannot be booked for more than 60% of a working day. Outside term-time daily bookings are permitted
  • Extra software will not be installed on work-area machines on an ad-hoc basis
  • Planned workarea upgrades will take place out of term time