Wayne State University
Warrior strong
Login
Search
C&IT Computing & Information Technology

Desktop management program

C&IT provides desktop support for academic and administrative staff, school and college classrooms, and select general purpose classrooms (including special events). All requests are addressed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Included services

  • Customer-focused services and initiatives

    Help Desk services (tier-one support to all students, faculty and staff for all enterprise IT systems and services)

    • Currently offering walk-in (by appointment), call-in, chat, email, and remote assistance support. The Help Desk also provides personally owned computer repairs and network configurations.

    Classroom and audio-visual support

    • Proactive lab usage and availability monitoring; multiple security settings for computer labs and computer kiosks.

    • Local tier-two supports all enterprise as well as school, college and unit applications and computer-based issues (typically one technician per 300 computers).

    Research support

    • Special hardware consultation, advanced security for research data, technical documentation for grant application and grant support. 

    • Ticketing system for submitting incidents and service management issues through a simple web form (ITSM). 

    Machine-based authentication

    • Computers authenticate wireless hardware based on their credentials, allowing for a faster and seamless connection to the wireless network. 

    DirectAccess  

    • A VPN-like service, DirectAccess tunnels clients directly to Wayne State resources such as W:Drive, and Active Directory from anywhere with an internet connection. Using DirectAccess allows Wayne State the same tunnel to push patches and remotely assist clients. 
  • User and computer account management services
    • Account creation and password resets. 
    • Uses Identity Management to automatically create, provision and deprovision AccessID accounts. Active Directory spans local and remote sites for high availability, and C&IT-provided naming conventions. 
    • DeskTech manages all AD objects and resource access. Custom group policy-based configuration management on objects for unit-specific needs (like research and computer labs). 
  • Security configuration services

    Security consulting and analysis 

    • Security evaluation and consultation of departmental server hardware, operating systems, server applications and/or data, and client inventory and security. The analysis report includes areas of concern and means to remediate. 

    • Deployment of monthly security patches  

    • Alpha and beta test deployments are deployed the week of patch Tuesday. Mandatory deployments are deployed on the second Friday after the second Tuesday of each month. Antivirus using CrowdStrike/Windows Defender. 

    Folder redirection

    • Redirects an unlimited amount, including desktop, documents, favorites, music, pictures, videos, etc. 

    AppLocker 

    • Application-allow list prevents the execution of rogue applications being installed and run. 

    BitLocker

    • Disk encryption for TPM-enabled equipment prevents Wayne State from having to report a breach in the event of hardware loss or theft, and locks hardware with an encrypted key to keep data from being attainable. Regularly scheduled operating system security and feature updates for supported operating systems. 

    Windows Firewall with advanced security and IPSec

    • Enabled local firewall protects from unwanted inbound communication to the local computer. 

    Screen lock timeout 

    • Computers are set to a 20-minute idle screen lock timeout. 

    User account control

    • Enabled to prevent rogue execution of setting changes. 
  • Convenience-based configuration services

    Printer mapping 

    • Printers are mapped by location and usage types using security groups. 

    Unlimited departmental drive mapping  

    • Convenient access to your departmental data through easy-to-use mapping and folder structure. 

    User Experience Virtualization (UE-V)  

    • Templates that redirect and store specific application settings per user. By redirecting UE-V, it allows for a more seamless computer refresh for the user. 
  • Inventory management services

    Administrative and DeskTech customers - four year computer subscription program:

    •  For $395 per computer per year, receive a new computer every four years, including monitor, software, maintenance, and support. 
    • Includes trickle-down support computers for school or college also at no additional cost. 

    Academic units  

    • Please see eligibility below. 
    • Assets are managed in the C&IT CMDB Workspace of Cherwell. 
    • Automatic asset tracking, financial forecasting and financial reports are available, grouped by each home organization. 
  • Application services

    Operating system delivery with custom SCCM deployment system

    • Ability to deploy Wayne State standard image using task sequence boot media. 
    • Automated deployment of predefined applications  

    The current standard image includes: 

    • All Microsoft campus software, including O365, Visio and Project, 
    • All enterprise system configurations 
    • Chrome, Adobe Reader, Net Framework 3.5, Java Runtime Environment (Banner), Global Protect (VPN). 
    • Ability to remotely assist managed clients with prior approval. 

    Print services  

    • Centralized print queues for convenient security and driver control. 

    Apple mobile device management with Jamf Pro

    • Manage Apple inventory with the strongest MDM on the market, configuration profiles, macOS deployment, inventory, and computer backups using Code42. 

    Chromebook management with Google's G-Suite for education 

    • Client/kiosk configurations, application management, and inventory. 
  • Research hardware managing services

    Where possible, C&IT will set up a consulting session and create test machines to see if they can balance the need for secure computing with extremely specific software applications. When older research software cannot run on newer operating systems, C&IT will isolate that computer from the network so that it is not a security risk, but so that you can continue to collect data. Typically, this is on a case-by-case basis and in the past, C&IT has been extraordinarily successful in finding individual solutions.   

Employee computer refresh program

  • Benefits
    • Ensures fiscal responsibility and security through consultation with employees and purchasing from university-contracted IT suppliers.
    • Ensures one primary computing device.
    • Ensures Wayne State University employees are equipped with the appropriate computing technology to successfully perform research, facilitate instruction, or facilitate the success of research and instruction through a formal computer replacement program.
  • Eligibility

    The following employee classes (51%+ FTE) are covered by university funding. Personnel who meet the criteria but are supported by university affiliate groups (Wayne Health, Karmanos, etc.) are not eligible.

    • 12 Month Academic Administrator
    • 12 Month Academic Staff
    • 12 Month Chair/Academic Director
    • 12 Month Represented Faculty
    • 12M Academic Staff-Non-exempt
    • 517-M 9 Month Academic Administrator
    • 9 Month Academic Staff
    • 9 Month Chair/Academic Director
    • 9 Month Represented Faculty
    • 9M Deferred-Academic Staff
    • 9M Deferred-Faculty
    • Executive
    • Management
    • Management - Non-Exempt
    • Non-rep Clerical
    • Non-rep Professional Exempt
    • Non-rep Professional-Non-exempt
    • Operating Engineer
    • P&A Exempt
    • P&A Non-exempt
    • Public Safety
    • Staff Association
  • What's included

    Standard devices

    • Dell 14" Business Class Notebook -Ultra Processor, 32GB RAM, 512GB Solid State Drive, 1920 x 1080.
    • Dell 15" Business Class Laptop -Ultra Processor, 32GB RAM, 512GB Solid State Drive, 1920 x 1080.
    • Dell Business Class Desktop i5 Processor, 32GB RAM, 512GB Solid State Drive.
    • Apple MacBook Air 15-inch -M3 Processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB Solid State Drive, Liquid Retina Display.
    • Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch-M4 Processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB Solid State Drive, Retina Display.
    • Apple 24-inch iMac -M3 Processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB Solid State, Retina Display.

    Accessories

    • Dell

      • Laptops: Up to two 24" monitors, Dell docking station, keyboard, mouse, and all required cables.
      • Desktops: Up to two 24" monitors, keyboard, mouse, and all required cables.
    • Apple
      • iMacs: Wireless keyboard and mouse (wired can be ordered if needed).
      • MacBooks: One 24" monitor, generic docking station, and all required cables.

    Warranty

    • Dell

      • Desktops: 4-year warranty.
      • Laptops: 4-year warranty with accidental damage coverage.
    • Apple
      • 3-year warranty with accidental damage coverage.

    Software

    • Office 365 Applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, Visio, Teams, etc.
    • Chrome web browser.
    • Global Protect (campus VPN software).
    • Adobe Acrobat Reader.  
    • Apple products include Code 42 for backup and disaster recovery.

FAQ