Purchasing

Our consultants have experience with all of the application software that comes on the standard campus image. Furthermore, assistance is provided for any campus-licensed software, such as Adobe CC and SPSS. Keep in mind that we do not have experience with every third-party application that you can download to your machine, and we may refer you to the manufacturer or software provider for assistance. Following is a list of the base items installed on our image.

Note: TCU has campus licenses for Adobe Creative Cloud, SPSS, and a series of other applications. These are limited to TCU-owned computers only. Contact the IT Help Desk for more information.

TCU also has a series of site licenses that cover either the entire campus or specific departments based on how the initial purchase of the product was done. If you have questions about installing or using this software, please check options in the right-side menu bar or use the Create a Ticket button if what you need is not available. In most cases, you can install these applications from the Software Center (Win) or Self Service (Mac) applications on your computer.

When a department requests the addition of a software application on the computers in their lab, the department may be responsible for all costs related to the application (purchase and annual maintenance).

Here is a quick list of some of the applications that fall under this description:

• Web-based Systems: Box.com – Qualtrics – Korbyt (Digital Signage)
• Site-Licensed Software: Adobe CC (must request a NUL or SDL) – ChemDraw – ExpressionWeb – Gaussian – ImageNow – Portfolio – GIS/ESRI – SPSS – Stata MP2 – Tableau
  • Note: Keep in mind that these softwares can only be installed on TCU-owned computers.
• IT-Funded Software: SPSS – SAS – Coventor – Exelis – Gap Technologies – DSpace – Minitab – Eviews – Systat – WebCAPE – Wolfram Mathmatica
  • Note: IT Funded means that any new license requests for this software need to start with IT Purchasing. IT will cover the cost of the initial purchase and the maintenance on these software applications for users. Keep in mind that this software can only be installed on TCU-Owned computers.
• Customer Funded but IT Maintained Software: Antidote – MatLab – Muthen Mplus – SPSS Amos –Stata MP4, MP8, and MP16 – Eviews
  • Note: Customer Funded but IT Maintained means that any new license requests for this software must start with IT Purchasing and the initial license cost is covered by the Customer’s department. IT will cover the cost of the maintenance on these software licenses in the future. Keep in mind that this software can only be installed on TCU-Owned computers.

At TCU, the IT Purchasing team makes technology acquisitions simple and reliable. Whether you need software, hardware, or IT services, all purchases go through IT Purchasing to ensure they meet University standards for security, support, and compatibility.

This process also ensures that technology remains University property, stays under warranty, and is properly tracked. By working with IT Purchasing, faculty and staff can be confident that the tools they use every day are secure, supported, and aligned with TCU policy.

Before making any work-related purchase, it is important to read and understand the TCU Technology Acquisition Policy.

Consulting and purchase requests can be made by opening a ticket with the IT Help Desk.

TCU has a Computer Replacement Program (see section on this page) to replace lab, faculty, and staff computers.  By ordering equipment through IT, you will be eligible to receive purchase consultation, installation, and ongoing support.

Remember to provide a departmental billing codes for any purchases you make.

Please get approval from your supervisor before making a purchase. If they don’t have the billing codes, contact your department’s budget manager for this information.

IT Purchasing is available for consultation and collaboration during your grant proposal development process. Requests can be made by opening a ticket with the IT Help Desk.

By contacting us early within this process, you will save time and ensure that your proposed technology-related purchases meet TCU’s Technology Acquisition Policy.

Employees and students can buy some used hardware (such as desktop computers, laptops, and monitors) from IT.

There is an annual sale announced via email in the fall, or you can open a ticket with the IT Help Desk to make an appointment throughout the year.

Computers are replaced on a cycle that takes into account the age of the machine and the model. The current replacement cycle is typically every 4 years. 

There are two types of eligible devices: 1) full-time faculty and staff primary computers, and 2) computer lab machines.

When a device becomes eligible for replacement, IT Purchasing reaches out to the individual the computer is assigned to or the Sponsor of the computer lab to confirm replacement specifications, upgrades needed, and timeline. 

Any upgrades or additional costs beyond the standard computer specifications provided by the Replacement Program must be covered by the department.

The department Sponsor must approve of the replacements before they are ordered.

Once approved, IT Purchasing works on procuring the confirmed devices. When they arrive, IT Purchasing coordinates delivery and installation of the new device, as well as data transfer and configuration (Ex: printers, network shares mapping, specialized apps, etc.).

Only full-time a faculty or staff member's primary computer is eligible for the Replacement Program.

Additional machines assigned to an individual must be replaced by departmental funds. (Ex: if an employee has both a desktop and a laptop, only one is considered their primary and covered by the Replacement Program.)

Check the Inventory

Option 1: You can check with your department's Sponsor, who is the person who has access to your department's inventory list. Sponsors are different for each area, so yours may be a supervisor, manager, department chair, or an administrative assistant. Sponsors can pull an inventory list of the whole area and see which computers will be eligible for replacement at which time.

Option 2: You can also reach out to the IT Help Desk to have them look up your computer's designated fiscal replacement year. 

IMPORTANT: Be sure to discuss any needed upgrades beyond the standard computer with your Sponsor in advance. These costs are covered by departmental budget and usually need to be planned ahead of time.

Additional upgrades to the computer (such as more RAM, a bigger hard drive, or a premium graphics card) can be added.

The additional costs over the standard computer provided by the Replacement Program must be paid for by the department.

If you would like upgrades to a Replacement Program computer, when you receive the email notifying you that your computer is up for replacement, please contact the IT Help Desk to let us know as soon as possible to avoid potential delays.

We will make every effort to work with the person who is assigned to the computer that is being replaced to schedule an appointment when the equipment arrives.  

When we reach out to schedule, please let us know about extended times that you are available so we can find a time that works best for your schedule.

The process will take approximately two hours.

It is preferable that you are present, but if you are unable to be there, we will reset your password. This allows the installer to login and verify your configuration. 

The installer will backup and restore your data to the new computer, as well as reconfigure the settings (email, printers, network drive mappings, etc).

You can help the process by:

• Making note of any special software packages you have installed and locating the installation files or media so they can be re-installed.
• Make note of any special data files on your C drive. (Ideally these should be stored on your network personal drive, “M” so they aren't lost if something happens to your physical computer.)
• Physically clean/clear the area around the computer so the hardware can be replaced more easily.

Yes, please tape a note to your computer that includes your name, phone number, and email address.

We will remove your old computer from your office so that it can be prepared for sale. The old computer will remain in quarantine for at least two weeks.

After that time it can be purchased in Sid Richardson, room 111, on Tuesday or Thursday between 3pm–5pm.

IMPORTANT:  Purchased computers are for personal use only and cannot be used on the TCU network for business purposes. 

To keep TCU’s computing resources current and under warranty, items purchased through the Replacement Program can’t be repurchased by departments and put back into use.

This process helps ensure that all technology on campus meets the TCU's standards for reliability, support, and security, by preventing outdated equipment from being reintroduced into service.