Topics Map > Services > Computing Equipment, Software and Support > Desktop Support
Computer Software Support
This service encompasses computer software support for office, virtual, and remote office/productivity computing.
Overview
NDSU IT supports the office/productivity software computing needs of faculty, researchers, and staff. The service is based on providing common good applications and support on NDSU supported hardware.
Support provided through this service includes:
- Assistance through a variety of break/fix, troubleshooting, training and consultation options
- Operating system installation, feature updates, patching, tuning and deprecation
- Antivirus monitoring and virus remediation - holistic security throughout the IT environment working together
- System authentication, identity management and mass storage configuration
- NDSU common good software installation, patching, upgrades and deprecation. Includes packages offered university-wide for departmental purchase
Desktop Support assists the entire campus in the following ways:
Getting Started
Getting started typically begins with purchasing a supported computer model at the NDSU bookstore and choosing a computing tier. An online form exists to start this process.
The following computing tiers are available. Your department head should consult with IT Security to determine what the best fit for the work you perform is.
| Tier | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensitive Data Computing | A Windows environment for enhanced security. Computers in this tier are protected against viruses, malware, and disclosure of data. Best uses - computers that are used with sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information or engage in trusted activities such as running payroll. This is a highly prescribed and locked down environment with limited user customization, applications, peripherals, etc. Poor uses - computers that need an open configuration for flexibility or administrative access. Departments that utilizing Macs. |
| Mainstream Computing | This is the typical faculty and staff environment Best uses - general use computers. Poor uses - computers that are used with sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information or engage in trusted activities such as running payroll. |
| Departmentally Supported | These computers are supported by IT. Typically offered through the College of Engineering, Agriculture, and a few other areas on campus. Contact your departmental IT professional for details. Department assumes full responsibility for adherence to policies and procedures and actively updating them for security. Best uses - a department with unique software and hardware requirements and with specialized IT staff capable of fully administering computers. Poor uses - departments without dedicated IT staff or which can take advantage of one of the IT tiers. |
| Unsupported | Software on computer hardware which is is not supported by IT. IT does not support these devices. All NDSU and University System policies for electronic devices must still be followed by the user/department. This should only be chosen in rare circumstances. The user assumes full responsibility for adherence to relevant policies and procedures. |