School of Computing

IT Committee

Minor equipment requests for SoC

This procedure applies to requests for equipment/software for research or own-use.

Minor requests

"Minor requests" are defined as requests for hardware or software that are modest in cost (typically no more than £1k, but could be £10). Some minor requests may carry some degree of urgency, details and reason for which should be made explicit in the request.

All minor requests for computer equipment/software for student use should be made via email to Jim Briggs. The subject line should be "SoC equipment request".

The email should contain the information under the following headings:

1. Requirement. The piece of equipment/software requested.
   • This can be specific (e.g. "a licence for Dreamweaver version 4.0"), in which case we will try to get you precisely what you want. If you just want to say "latest version", that's encouraged.
   • This can be generic (e.g. "a new PC"), in which case we will try to get something similar to what other people have obtained recently. However, if you have particular needs, you need to state them.
2. Rationale. A brief rationale for why it is needed.
3. Units. What unit or units it will be used in the teaching of, or whether it is intended to have general use.
4. Labs. Your preferences as to which lab or labs this equipment/software should be available in. Be aware that some software cannot be "site licensed" and that some will only run on higher specification workstations.
5. Replacing. If it is intended to replace some other equipment/software, please specify what it will replace.
6. Cost. If known (an estimate will do).
7. Pay. Whether it is intended that it should be paid for out of CAM funds, departmental funds, a particular research/consultancy project, or a purse account.

More than one request can be made in a single email, but large or complicated requests are best dealt with separately.

If you need to discuss any matter prior to making a request, talk to Jim.

Minor requests can be made at any time. When I receive your email, I will normally make a decision on it within a week or two if it is covered by an existing SoC policy. If not, it may need to wait until the next meeting of the Committee.

Once approved, the request is then passed on to IS for ordering. I have no control over how long this will take, but experience shows that most straight-forward requests are dealt with promptly.

Once the equipment/software is installed, you are responsible for checking that it works correctly and meets your teaching requirements. Report problems to IS.

Last updated by Dr Jim Briggs of the School of Computing at the University of Portsmouth.