This article explain how to request software completing the Academic Software Requests form.

Background

iSolutions delivers over 1000 applications for teaching and research to

• Windows, Mac and Linux desktops and laptops
• The Southampton Virtual Environment
• The Software download site

Faculties can request software for teaching and research by their students for the next academic year (2023-2024) through the Academic Software Requests form.

---

Back to the top

 

Requesting Software

The form is split into two main sections:

• Software Usage Information: To provide general information about who will be using the software you request and where and when it will be required.
• Software Types: Broken up into sections to help build up the list of the software required.

Please provide as much information as possible. Although you may not know all the information at this time, the more detail provided enables iSolutions to better:

• Collate and analyse the requests
• Undertake negotiations with suppliers
• Provide feedback to the Faculties
• Liaise with relevant academics for application configuration and testing
• Ensure that the relevant software is available when and where it is required

To ensure your requests are available at the start of the academic year please make sure you submit your requests by Friday 23rd June 2023.

Please note we will accept requests after this deadline date but they will be a lower priority and may not be ready for the start of the academic year.

---

Back to the top

 

How to Complete the Form

If you have any issues with using the form or any enquiries please contact ServiceLine. Our technicians will refer your query to your Faculty Business Partner or to the Software Team.

The form itself contains hints and tips to guide you through the process. Details are provided below on how to access this feature.

 

Login

Access the Faculty Software Provision form within ServiceNow. If you have not previously authenticated, you will have to login with your Southampton username and password.

The form itself contains hints and tips to guide you through the process. Where you see an arrow and highlighted text, clicking on it will display further guidance. For example, select the Questionmark by the course codes to display more information:

 

Software usage information

Please fill out the four boxes in this section with as much information as possible. Click on the Arrows for more guidance.

 

Software types

This gives the opportunity to build up the list of software you need. There are 4 sections:

1. ‘Core’
2. ‘Departmental’
3. ‘Mac’
4. 'Linux'
5. ‘New’

The Core and Dept sections are the most widely used and are automatically displayed. If you wish to request Mac items or New items, click in the tick boxes to display those sections.

 

Making software selections

If you completed a form last year, your previously selected items should automatically appear in the ‘selected list’. Please review the software and make sure it is still required for next academic year.

To remove an item, select the X next to the Name. To add another item, select the field and either scroll down the list of applications or start typing the application’s name.

For example, to add Matlab, after typing a few letters (mat in this case) you should see the application you require. In this case the Matlab 64 bit (Numerical Modelling) entry is displayed as shown below. By selecting the application, it will be added to your chosen software list.

If the item is not listed, please select the 'New Software' option from the Software types section. Enter the software name in the 'Complete Software list' field and select it if available.

If it is not available fill in the 'New Software Required' fields.

 

Core software

These applications are industry leading in their fields and are used by staff and students across a number of Faculties.

The categories in the brackets refer to the function of the application.

To streamline the lists, some common items (such as Microsoft Office) do not appear in the lists. These items will be provided and do not need to be re-requested.

 

Departmental software

These applications are more specialised and specific to a smaller group of users in one or more academic units.

The categories in brackets refer to the academic unit. The list will only display items relevant to your Faculty but you can narrow the list further to your academic unit by typing in the 'Search' box.

 

Mac software

If you wish to request software for the use of students or researchers on MacOS, please check the ‘MacOS Software’ box under Software Type. Then select the relevant software required from the list picker.

 

Linux software

If you wish to request software for the use of students or researchers on Red Hat, please check the ‘LinuxOS Software’ box under Software Type. Then select the relevant software required from the list picker.

 

New software

If you wish to request software that was not displayed in the other lists, please check the ‘New Software’ box under Software Types. This displays a list of all currently available software: please use the Search box to check that the item is not already available or was not visible in the other lists.

If you cannot find the software in the list, please use the check box to select the number of new items you require. Complete then the relevant boxes for each one.

 

Additional resources

Please use this box to give any extra information. We are particularly interested in capturing information about online resources that students may be using that are not captured elsewhere.

Please also use this box to give details of any particular requirements for:

• the software (particular versions or configuration required)
• any particular hardware requirements
• remote teaching or research requirements
• suggestions for improvements to the workstation and software provision

 

Submit form

Once you have completed the form, please click the 'Submit' button (at the top or bottom of form). When submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. We may contact you for further information in due course.

---

Back to the top

 

What happens next?

• June 2023: Request Period. All requests must be completed by June 23rd 2023. Any requests received after this date will not be prioritised and cannot be guaranteed for delivery for the start of Academic Year
• July 2023: iSolutions collates and analyses the requests
• August 2023: The summer upgrade is planned and Faculties contacted to confirm the software portfolio and costs for the next academic year
• August–October 2023: Technical delivery of the required software upgrades to the workstations and the SVE. Tutors contacted to arrange for testing of the applications prior to their use.

---

Back to the top

 

Notes

Windows 10

The Common Learning Spaces will continue to be Windows 10 (Build 22H2) for academic year 2023/2024.  Windows 11 continues to be tested and developed with a view to roll out across CLS in the summer of 2024.

 

MacOS

MacOS 12 (Monterrey) is the current supported OS.  MacOS 13 (Ventura) is being tested and developed with a view to being in place for the start of next academic year 2023/2024.

 

Linux

The current supported Linux desktop for researchers is Red Hat 8. Red Hat 9 will be rolled out in Q3 2023.

 

Southampton Virtual Environment

The applications currently provided on SVE will be updated to the same version as on the university desktop systems.  The number of applications available on the SVE will continue to be increased (depending on licensing and technical considerations).