Academic software requests

To ensure software is available for the start of teaching, Information Services will call for academic software requests for the information commons (IC), placed via the Service Desk, before the commencement of each semester.

Requests can be placed outside of the request periods, but a minimum of 6 weeks is required for this work to be scheduled.  You will need to log a Teaching (IC software) Request.

Software request dates

Semester 1, 2025

Semester 2, 2025

Please note, software requests received by these dates are given priority but cannot be guaranteed. Lecturing staff must monitor their requests and are advised to have a contingency plan should the software not be available.

About the IC and software request process

The IC is a connected virtual space in which learning, research and teaching can occur. The computing equipment provided by Information Services within the locations across the ANU campus provide the physical infrastructure for staff and students to participate in the IC. As technology changes so too will the infrastructure provided.

At present the University has determined that the best way to facilitate this access is via desktop computers. To meet this need, Information Services has provided over 1,500 desktop computers that are comprised of approximately 1,100 Intel PC and 450 Mac systems.
Information Services maintains a set of core software, for the benefit of the University community. Given budgetary restrictions on Information Services, not all software requests can be fulfilled and a process for determining academic need and impact must be undertaken. In cases where software is required for a specific purpose and is expensive or will have limited use, Information Services may enter into an agreement with a local area, this is conducted on a case by case basis.

There is a 3 step process to assist in assessing your software requests suitability for the IC being Needs Analysis, Technical Analysis and User Acceptance Testing.

All academic software requests are analysed to determine need; identify a funding source (if required), and to assign an internal priority for technical analysis. 
You will be contacted directly by the Liaison Officer if a needs analysis is required to access your software request.

The technical analysis phase tests the software applications suitability for inclusion within the IC software image. The chance of an application not working is higher in this managed environment because of the complexity of the systems and on occasion compatibility issues can be identified.

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is an important final phase for the deployment of software. New or upgraded applications will not be deployed to the IC managed environment until signed off as acceptable and fit for purpose by the tester. Software problems can take a significant amount of time to fix and it is in the requester/s interest to thoroughly test the software and resolve all issues during the UAT phase before signing-off.

If an application fails testing, the errors are noted and Information Services will work with the requester to resolve the problem if possible.

Please note

It is advisable to check software in a lab, lecture theatre, or library computer space before you go to use it with the students as unforeseen problems can arise during or after the deployment.

If problems are discovered after the software has been deployed, a job needs to be logged with the Service Desk. UAT sign-off is required one week before the software is required, to allow sufficient time for it to be deployed and after deployment errors may take up to 6 weeks to be resolved.

For further information, please contact the Information Commons Liaison Officer.