Background information
Who the Managed Desktop is for
The Managed Desktop is suitable for use by all members of the University. It has been installed for use in all the CiCS managed IT rooms; CiCS also recommends that staff should use this service on office desktop PCs and in departmental computing rooms.
Reason to use the Managed Desktop
The Managed Desktop provides you with commonly used software, such as Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer; access to a range of specialist teaching software; networked printers and filestore.
Advantages of the service
- It is secure; the service is updated automatically by CiCS as new antivirus and security patches are released.
- You don't have administrator rights to the PC; you don't have access to the areas of the computer typically targeted by viruses.
- Personal data and settings are stored on the network; this is more secure and backed up every night.
- The service is easier to support; problems can be more easily resolved by the CiCS Helpdesk than with unmanaged computer systems.
- Staff see the same service as students; making it easier to produce IT teaching materials.
- Staff have access to a wide range of centrally provided applications.
When not to use the Managed Desktop
Whilst the Managed Desktop will meet the needs of most users, there will be occasions when staff need to use software or hardware that will not work on the Managed Service or require computers to run other operating systems.