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Laptops & Desktop PCs & the University Managed Desktop (UMD)

Laptops & Desktop PCs & the University Managed Desktop (UMD)

From May 2024, The Clinical Computing Service (CSCS) made changes to the “Computer Support” service. These changes meant that we no longer offer “medschl” devices. Instead, the service now utilises the new University Managed Desktop (UMD) service solution as a way for all laptop and desktop computers to securely connect to the University network, systems, files, and applications. Th

The UMD solution safeguards functionality and keep everyone’s data secure, as well as lowering the risk of future cyber incidents for our CSCS customers & the University.

For more information on the UMD service, see below

So what is the University Managed Desktop (UMD) service?

  • The University Managed Desktop (UMD) service is provided by UIS & provides a secure and managed platform for laptop & desktop PC devices to connect to University services, whilst 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 operating system & application 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. us in CSCS.

So what laptop or desktop PC specification can I have?

  • UMD is available for both Windows & macOS devices, and at this time Sep 1, 2025, so we are issuing devices running Windows 11 & macOS 15/Sequoia.

  • To be able to run UMD there is a minimum hardware requirement, so if your device is very very old, it may need replacing.

  • For details on the minimum hardware requirement for laptops and desktop PCs are, see below, which also includes what is currently available as standard for a UMD device:

As at Sep 1, 2025, there is currently no UMD solution for Linux, however, this is being worked on by both CSCS & UIS teams

 

Who can order laptops & desktop PCs?

  • If you wish to order a standard UMD device, you can order it directly from a University preferred supplier with a negotiated “best price” on recommended makes & models that has the UMD solution ready to go out of the box, making it easier to get the device delivered directly and easier to set up.

    • For Windows devices, you can order directly from the Dell Premier.

    • For macOS devices, you can order from Academia or XMA.

For details on how to order Windows or macOS UMD devices, see the page here https://cscs-itsupport.atlassian.net/wiki/x/BICaLQ

For who in your department is authorised to order UMD devices, see the page here - https://cscs-itsupport.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/resumedraft.action?draftId=1319075846

If you wish to order a different model or specification, as long as it meets our minimum hardware requirement it will still be able to run UMD.

Once ordered & delivered then please log a ticket with us to get it set up on UMD for you, by using the form here Register Device for Support

What type of UMD solutions options 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-User solution - when multiple people will log on to 1 device & everyone has a University CRSID, for example, if a desktop is placed on a hot-desk for various people log on to it with their own University CRSIDs.

    • Scientific solution - when multiple people will log on to 1 device, for example, if a desktop is used to run instrument attached equipment or bioinformatics, split into:

      • A scientific computer, eg. a computer running speciality scientific software for analysis using instrument vendor-specific software or bioinformatics packages, requiring custom computer configuration or maintenance.

      • Instrument connected computer, eg. computers connected to Imaging devices, microscopes, sample analysis machines etc.. dedicated to running software for scientific instruments.

    • Meeting 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 solution - when multiple people will log on to 1 device, for example, a desktop used in a lecture theatre or training room where various different courses are run, where access to many different type of applications is required promptly.

    • 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.

 

  • 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:

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 via Company Portal or Self-Serve?

Can updates be re-scheduled?

Available for use?
from Feb 1, 2025

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 via Company Portal or Self-Serve?

Can updates be re-scheduled?

Available for use?
from Feb 1, 2025

User (Single)

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 (if using CUFs) & anti-virus etc..

On macOS - None, other than anti-virus

Yes

No

Yes

User (Shared)

Multiple people

Anyone with a University CRSID & Raven/Office365 account

No

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

No

Yes, however we do recommend a wired connection for ease of use.
**see also below

Scientific

Multiple people

Anyone with a University CRSID & Raven/Office365 account

If appropriate, whilst adhering to compliance rules

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

Meeting

ie. Seminar & Meeting Rooms

Multiple people

Anyone with a University CRSID & Raven/Office365 account

If appropriate, whilst adhering to compliance rules

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

Teaching

ie. Lecture Theatres & Training Rooms

Multiple people

Anyone with a University CRSID & Raven/Office365 account

If appropriate, whilst adhering to compliance rules

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Not yet available

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.

If you would like a device changed from a single-use device to a shared-use device, or vice versa, this will require the device to be wiped & rebuilt

What about applications, how do we get access to those?

  • 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.

 

What about “admin rights”?

 

Related pages