From May 2024, The Clinical Computing Service (CSCS) has had to change/adapt much of it’s services, this includes is making changes to the “Computer Support” service. Previously this service provided a Windows or macOS device that CSCS customers would pay a fee for each month for set up, management and support, however, as we lost access to out systems that manage this environment, CSCS will now be offering the We will no longer be offering “medschl” devices, instead the service will utilise the new University Managed Desktop (UMD) solution as a way for all laptop and desktop computers to securely reconnect to the University network, systems, files, and applications . to safeguard functionality and to keep everyone’s data secure, as well as lowering the risk of future cyber incidents,
So what is the University Managed Desktop (UMD)?
The University Managed Desktop (UMD) service is offered via provided by UIS & provides a secure and managed platform for devices to connect to University services, keeping them more secure too.
Not only can operating system security updates be managed and installed, any applications pre-installed, or installed via the macOS Self Service or Windows Company Portal, will be periodically updated to ensure security is maintained too.
Given CSCS customers have now moved to Exchange Online, the UMD service is a great solution as it allows you to login onto any UMD device using your “Raven”/Office365 credentials & it will set up Outlook, MS Teams, OneDrive, MS Office etc.. using seamless-sign-on (SSO) which makes set up and access to Office365 services much easier.
UIS provide the platform, support is provided by the local institution, i.e. CSCS.
So what laptop
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or desktop
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can I have?
UMD is available for both Windows & macOS devices, and at this time we are issuing devices running Windows 11 & macOS 1415/SonomaSequoia.
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As at , there is currently no UMD solution for Linux, however, this is being worked on by both CSCS & UIS teams |
In addition, UMD To be able to run UMD there is a minimum hardware requirement, so if your device is very very old, it may need replacing. Under “recovery” we are offering like-for-like replacement devices, i.e. if you have a Windows desktop, you will receive a replacement Windows desktop. However, if you state on the audit form you would like to move from a desktop to a laptop, you will receive a Windows laptop; the operating system will remain unchanged.
We shall not be able to match the specifications however, so for details on what laptops and desktops are available via recovery, see which models are available:
Windows devices - https://cscs-itsupport.atlassian.net/l/cp/J1tU6CsP
macOS devices - https://cscs-itsupport.atlassian.net/l/cp/gwNBPGDY
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If you would like a different specification than the ones we have available, then you will need to fund this yourself. |
What type of UMD solutions are there?
UMD can be set up for either a “Single-User” or “Shared-Use” experience, which are detailed below as separate services to chose:
Single-User solution - is when 1 person logs onto 1 device.
Shared-Use User solution - is when multiple people will log onto on to 1 device.
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Shared-User solution - for example, if a desktop is placed in a lab and on a hot-desk for various people log on to it when they are the in labwith their own University CRSIDs.
Scientific Instrument solution - when multiple people will log on to 1 device, for example, if a desktop is used to run instrument attached equipment or bioinformatics.
Seminar, Lecture & Meeting Room solution - when multiple people will log on to 1 device, for example, a laptop or desktop used in a meeting room that is used to make video calls or run presentations, where not everyone may have a University CRSID.
Training Room solution - when multiple people will log on to 1 device, for example, a desktop used in a training room where various different courses are run
Student/Library solution - when multiple people will log on to 1 device, for example, a desktop PC in a library that University students would like to pick up their email on.
Other/Display Signage solution - when multiple people will log on to 1 device, for example, a device that can be set up to run in reception to show room availability.
A table below summarises the options available
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When requesting a device set up, it’s important we understand how you plan to use it, so we can select the most appropriate solution. A table below summarises the options available:
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UMD Name | How many people can use it? | Who can use it? | Can you use shared accounts? | Operating System? | Applications Pre-Installed? | Are more applications available for install via Company Portal or Self-Serve? | Can updates be re-scheduled? | Available for use? |
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Single-User | One person | Anyone with a University CRSID & Raven/Office365 account | No | Windows macOS | On Windows - Yes, a few like Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, eg. Outlook, OneDrive, MS Teams, 7-Zip, Edge, Oracle Java & anti-virus etc.. On macOS - None, other than anti-virus | Yes | No | Yes |
Shared-User | Multiple people | Anyone with a University CRSID & Raven/Office365 account | No - not at this time | Windows macOS | On Windows - Yes, quite a few like Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, eg. Outlook, OneDrive, MS Teams, 7-Zip, Edge, Chrome, RStudio, MatLab, SPSS, Zoom, Oracle Java & anti-virus etc.. On macOS - Yes, a few like Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, eg. Outlook, OneDrive, MS Teams, Chrome, Zoom, Firefox & anti-virus etc.. | Yes | NoFor Windows only | Yes, however we do recommend a wired connection for ease of use. |
Scientific Instrument | Multiple people | Anyone with a University CRSID & Raven/Office365 account | No - not at this time | Windows | On Windows - None, other than anti-virus On macOS - Yes, a few like Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, eg. Outlook, OneDrive, MS Teams, Chrome, Zoom, Firefox & anti-virus etc.. | Yes | Yes | For Windows only **see also below |
Seminar, Lecture & Meeting Room | Multiple people | Anyone with a University CRSID & Raven/Office365 account | No - not at this time | Windows | On Windows - Yes, a few like Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, eg. Outlook, OneDrive, MS Teams, 7-Zip, Edge, Oracle Java & anti-virus etc.. On macOS - Yes, a few like Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, eg. Outlook, OneDrive, MS Teams, Chrome, Zoom, Firefox & anti-virus etc.. | Yes | No | For Windows only **see also below |
Training Room | Multiple people | Anyone with a University CRSID & Raven/Office365 account | No - not at this time | Windows | On Windows - Yes, quite a few like Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, eg. Outlook, OneDrive, MS Teams, 7-Zip, Edge, Chrome, RStudio, MatLab, SPSS, Zoom, Oracle Java & anti-virus etc.. On macOS - Yes, a few like Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, eg. Outlook, OneDrive, MS Teams, Chrome, Zoom, Firefox & anti-virus etc.. | Yes | No | For Windows only **see also below |
Student/Library | Multiple people | Anyone with a University CRSID & Raven/Office365 account | No - not at this time | Windows | On Windows - Yes, a few like Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, eg. Outlook, OneDrive, MS Teams, 7-Zip, Edge, Oracle Java & anti-virus etc.. On macOS - Yes, a few like Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, eg. Outlook, OneDrive, MS Teams, Chrome, Zoom, Firefox & anti-virus etc.. | Yes | No | For Windows only **see also below |
Other including Display Signage | Multiple people | Anyone with a University CRSID & Raven/Office365 account | No - not at this time | Windows | On Windows - None, other than anti-virus On macOS - Yes, a few like Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, eg. Outlook, OneDrive, MS Teams, Chrome, Zoom, Firefox & anti-virus etc.. | Yes | No | For Windows only |
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** For any devices used by multiple people (ie. Shared-User, Scientific Instrument, Seminar, Lecture & Meeting Room etc..), we do recommend that these devices are connected to the wired network, for the best experience. Whilst Eduroam will work, it will require everyone who uses the device to set up Eduroam every time they login, as Eduroam is a University service set up for individual people and sharing credentials is not be allowed. Using the wired network would remove this requirement making it easier to use. |
What about applications?
Certain UMD solutions will come with some applications pre-installed, others won’t have any installed at all, see the table above for details.
You can also install applications from the Company Portal on Windows, or Self-Serve on macOS yourself and there are currently 100’s of applications available, many of them free but some where licenses are still required.
At this time, for single-user set up, the following applications pre-installed on the device https://help.uis.cam.ac.uk/service/desktop-services/umd/university-managed-desktop/software-university-managed-desktop (the software listed under “Shared Use”)
If you find the application you want is missing, you can contact the CSCS Service Desk by logging a ticket who can then put in a request or help you install it if it’s urgent
Any user can log a software request from the UIS Software Request portal.
What about “admin rights”?
The UMD solution does not come with admin rights as a default, which helps reduce the University risk, should a device fall victim to a malicious attack.
However, we do appreciate some of our customers need elevated permissions to allow them to do their work effectively. So should you require additional permissions to do your job, you can request this via the CSCS form here - https://
uniofcamsaasiteu/Modules/SelfService/#serviceCatalog/request/1DE8422B671241358D7197ECAA9767B9/portal/service?btn=73&itil_requesttype_id=3&autolog=true&shownewticket=true&categoryid=13&id=71
If you need elevated permissions to install software, first take a look in the Company Portal (on Windows) & Self Serve (on macOS) as there are already 100s of applications you can set up without elevated permissions via a one-click install.
More details on elevated permissions can be found here https://cscs-itsupport.atlassian.net/l/cp/a3v714Xm
Related Pages
If you would like to read more about the UMD service, see the related UIS pages here https://help.uis.cam.ac.uk/service/desktop-services/umd
If you would like more information about installing applications via the Company Portal on Windows or Self-Serve on macOS, click here https://help.uis.cam.ac.uk/service/desktop-services/umd/installing-additional-software