Recommended Solutions

Guideline: University of Minnesota Duluth

Recommended Solutions provides advice to the campus regarding acquisition of hardware and software. Our goals in providing these recommendations are:

  • Provide advice to the campus community regarding acquisition of hardware and software.
  • Select software that is compatible on as many standard hardware platforms as possible.
  • Select hardware that allows us to obtain volume discounts and maintain a parts inventory for more efficient repairs.
  • Clarify for ITSS staff and customers the levels of support that we can provide to the campus for network, hardware and software support.

Our current levels of support are defined as follows.

Primary Limited
  • Hardware: Current preferred vendor(s). Approved for connection to the University network. Maintenance and local warranty work available.
  • Operating systems (OS): Current approved operating system(s) for Windows and Macintosh workstations. Connects reliably to the University network. Supports primary University business applications and practices.
  • Software: Primary University business applications. Basic features support provided through the Help Desk, ITSS staff and ITSS students, generally at no charge to the customer.
  • Hardware: May not connect reliably to the University network. May be additional charges or wait time for replacement parts and service. This may include both newer technologies, older technologies (computers out of warranty), or hardware with limited functionality.
  • Operating systems (OS): May not support primary University business applications.
  • Software: Specialized or non-standard software. Basic features support may be provided by ITSS staff, but there may be additional time or charges involved. This may include both developing software (newest version of Microsoft Office), diminishing software (older versions of Office), or specialized software (for example, discipline-specific software such as Mathematica).

Network Solutions

ITSS provides broadband wired connections to most non-residential buildings on campus. Wireless access is provided throughout most of the campus as well.

For secure access to University resources from off campus, ITSS provides a VPN service.

Hardware Solutions

Computing Equipment and Maintenance

The University can provide more efficient service and better pricing by limiting the number of vendors we work with. ITSS and the Computer Corner work together to provide workstation configurations that should meet all campus needs. By choosing a supported vendor, the ITSS TechCenter can provide hardware maintenance and warranty work on campus. We will also provide troubleshooting assistance and repair work for non-standard hardware on a time-and-materials basis.

When purchasing a workstation (desktop or laptop), ITSS recommends that our customers use the most current operating system (OS) that is stable for the platform (Windows, Mac, Unix). This may not necessarily be the most current OS. Please note that "home" versions are not engineered for a business environment and are not supported on our network.

Category Primary Limited
Laptops, desktops
  • Apple (authorized service center)
  • Hewlett Packard (authorized service center)
  • Dell
  • Microsoft Surface devices 
Operating System
  • Macintosh OS X v10.14 or greater
  • Windows 10 Enterprise
  • Unix Solaris, Linux (specialized)

Not Supported

  • Windows 8
  • Windows 7 
  • Mac OS 10.11 and below

Mobile Devices

ITSS does not support a primary unmanaged mobile device or service, but we can provide basic assistance in setting up UMD email or calendar through Google Apps.

Category Primary Limited
Mobile Devices
  • Jamf Pro managed iOS devices
  • University managed Chromebooks (HP branded)
  

Printers, Scanners

Printer and scanner models and features change frequently. The basic requirement is full wired network capability. Before purchasing a new printer or scanner, we recommend that you contact the ITSS TechCenter for the current specification. 

Category Primary Limited
Basic Printers and Scanners

 

  • Non-HP laser printers, or scanners

Not Supported

  • Inkjet printers
  • Wireless printers (Printers must be connected to a wired jack.)
Business Class Multi-function Printers (MFP)*
  • Vendors not on the University Wide Contracts

  • Specialized printing such as plotters and Fiery Digital Print Servers

Not Supported

  • Wireless printers (Printers must be connected to a wired jack.)
* Purchasing starts with consulting department or collegiate IT staff and University Wide Contracts.

Servers

For departments considering purchase of servers and expecting ITSS support, we recommend purchase of the same type of systems owned and operated by ITSS. Contact ITSS Help Desk for further information on these servers.

Category Primary Limited
Servers
  • UNIX/Linux
  • Windows Server 
  • VMware
  

Student Response Systems (SRS)

Student Response Systems (SRS) - also called "clickers" - are small handheld devices coupled with receiving hardware and presentation software. The system allows an instructor to present questions, usually via a computer projector, and collect student answers immediately during the lecture. The results can generally be manipulated and displayed immediately and can be used to change the course of the lecture. For details see: Student Response Systems (SRS)

Category Primary Limited
Student Response Systems
  • Turning Point Technologies (primary)
  

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is available in a number of locations across campus, including some ITSS student computer labs.

For more information, contact Disability Resources.

Category Primary Limited
Assisstive Technology  

Software Solutions 

Following is a summary of ITSS recommended desktop software solutions. For a listing of software available for use, see: Software.

Category Primary Limited
Assistive technology  
Calendar software  
Class management tools  
Databases
  • Access (MS Office) (current version)
  • Older versions of Access (diminishing)
Email  
File Transfer  
Graphics and Multimedia Tools
  • None
Mathematical and Statistical Tools

 
  • SPSS
  • JMP (specialized)
  • Mathematica (specialized)
  • MATLAB (specialized)
  • SAS (specialized)
  • STATA (specialized)
Network File Access  
Presentation
  • Powerpoint (MS Office)
  • Google Slides
  
Spreadsheets  
Video Conferencing 
  • Zoom
  • Google Meet
  
Virus & Spyware
  • SentinelOne for Mac
  • System Center Endpoint Protection (SCEP) (for University owned)
  • Windows Defender for Windows 10
  
Word Processing  
Web Browsing
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Chrome
  • Microsoft Edge
Web Publishing
  • Drupal
  • Google Sites
  

 

Revision History:

  • Last revision: October 2020