VI. Computer and Software Purchases and Installation

A. OU IT Store

Pursuant to the OU Board of Regents' Policy Manual, Section 4.11.6, all technology purchases (hardware, software, consumables and services) for the institution should be coordinated through the OU IT Store. The only exception to this policy is the purchase of printers and copiers which should be coordinated through OU Printing Services.

B. New Computer Purchases

PCB IT attempts to stay informed on current and emerging technologies. Our technicians are qualified to advise faculty and staff regarding hardware purchases and are trained to install the computing hardware. There are two approaches to the purchase of new computer hardware.

The first approach is to develop the system configuration personally. If you choose this option, we ask that you submit the system configuration for PCB IT review so that we can rule out potential compatibility or connectivity issues between the computer and PCB systems and software.

Individuals choosing this option should take advantage of the Dell Personal Purchase Program which provides substantial discounts as part of a "Premier" contract between The University of Oklahoma and Dell Computers.

The second option is to work with the technical staff of PCB IT and jointly develop a system configuration fitted to your particular computing needs. To begin this process, submit a new computer request to the Help Desk.

When the system configuration is complete, submit a finalized request to the Help Desk requesting a specification worksheet along with pricing information.

Please include the following information in your request:

• Name of the person the computer will serve
• Primary purpose of the computer
• Location at which the computer will reside
• Amount allocated for the purchase
• Any required peripherals, i.e. DVD drives, printers, etc.

Once the configuration is finalized, the requesting department or individual must forward these to the individual responsible for processing the purchase order.

B.1. New Computer Setup Procedure

The New Computer Setup Protocol developed by PCB IT is the first step in assuring that every new computer workstation meets standardized performance criteria.
Procedure

• Back-up the entire C drive of computer that is being replaced to:
  • An external hard drive
  • Use the back-up utility wizard; do not cut and paste
• Verify that a complete and accurate back-up has occurred
• Install Windows 32-bit or 64-bit
• Define computer name and domain as follows:
  • PCB-(first 4 letters of last name)(last two digits of year)
  • Domain: sooner.net.ou.edu
• User setup for primary operator
• Installation of appropriate drivers
• Installation of PCB Standard Faculty Software
• Installation of special request software
  • Confirm all standard and requested software installed
  • Confirm successful installation of each application
• Delivery and on-site installation

B.2 Standard Software Build for PCB Workstations

PCB IT has developed a standard software build for personal workstations. This standard build is installed on each new computer received into Price College.

• 7 Zip
• Adobe Reader
• Firefox
• Internet Explorer
• Microsoft Office
  
• Windows Media Player
• VLC Media Player

Most Requested Additional Software

C. Peripherals

The most frequently purchased peripherals are:

• Monitors
• Mice
• Keyboards
• Speakers
• DVD drives

It is very important to purchase only those peripherals that are compatible with the current hardware installed in Price College.

PCB IT has dealt with many manufacturers and is positioned to provide expert recommendations on what peripherals to obtain for a given situation.

Please be aware that purchase of printers and copiers should be coordinated through OU Printing Services.

D. Software and Database Acquisition and Support

This section summarizes the major database and software applications maintained and supported by Price College. Price College has database and software licensing agreements for a variety of applications available for use the Price College faculty and staff.

D.1. Network Installed Databases

The following database packages are run partially or wholly from our network. 
Other software applications, often referred to as "shareware" are available in the public domain while still other applications are licensed for sale through the OU IT Store at discounted prices. 

D.1.1. Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP)

The Center for Research in Security Prices files cover common stocks listed on the NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ Stock Markets, US Government Treasury issues, and US Mutual Funds. The Center has a wide variety of financial and economic indices and other statistics used to gauge the performance of the broader market and economy in general. CRSP also provides proxy graphs for 10K SEC filing, monthly cap-based reports and custom data sets and extractions.

D.1.2. Economic Literature Database (ELDB)

ELDB contains 250,000 bibliographic references from 465 leading journals of economics, finance, accounting, insurance and real estate. Author, keyword in title, journal or year, can rapidly search ELDB's exact bibliographic references. Search, narrow and delete routines allow for Boolean logic searches.

D.1.3. SAS

SAS provides data analysis, report generation, and enterprise-wide information delivery. To have SAS installed on your office computer, submit a request to the Help Desk. User agreement must be singed prior to installation. To install SAS on your home computer borrow the CDs from CEMR.

D.1.4. SPSS

Features include an in-depth data access and preparation, analytical reporting, segmentation and predictive modeling. Submit a request for installation on OU owned computers to the Help Desk. Installation on privately owned computers is available only to FTE University of Oklahoma faculty and staff.

D.1.5. Capital IQ

Capital IQ delivers comprehensive fundamental and quantitative research and analysis solutions to over 4,200 investment managers, investment banks, private equity funds, advisory firms, corporations, and universities worldwide. Capital IQ may be accessed from any machine in the Business Information Computational Laboratory.

D.1.6. HLM 6

HLM 6 is a hierarchical data modeling package which includes an improved interface, various data display options, and new statistical features. Among these new features are cross-classified random effects for linear and multinomial models. It is also available on the PCB network and manuals are available for check out from CEMR.

D.1.7. MathType

Interactive tool for Windows and Macintosh personal computers that lets you to create mathematical notation for word processing documents, web pages, desktop publishing, and presentations.

D.1.8. Eventus

A financial research, education and consulting software, Eventus performs state-of-the-art event study estimation and testing using the CRSP stock database or other stock return data and provides fast event-oriented data retrieval from the CRSP stock database.

D.1.9. EViews

EViews offers academic researchers, corporations, government agencies, and students access to powerful statistical, forecasting, and modeling tools through an innovative, easy-to-use object-oriented interface. EViews blends the best of modern software technology with cutting edge features. The result is a state-of-the art program that offers unprecedented power within a flexible, easy-to-use interface.

D.1.10. STATA

Stata statistical software is a complete, integrated statistical software package that provides everything you need for data analysis, data management, and graphics. Stata is not sold in modules, which means you get everything you need in one package.

D.2. Workstation Installations

The following is a list of the most commonly installed software applications of the Price College faculty and staff.

D.2.1. Windows 7 Enterprise

Windows 7 Enterprise is the default Operating Systems installed on all personal workstations in Price College. It is compatible with all the popular software packages.

D.2.2. Microsoft Office 2010 Professional

Microsoft Office 2010 PRO is a suit of productivity applications, and includes the following:

• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Infopath
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Office Publisher
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft OneNote

D.3. Internet Software

Price College has a direct connection to the Internet via Ethernet and all workstations in both Adams and Price Hall are connected. The following software applications used to interface with the Internet are available:

D.3.1 Mozilla Firefox

Firefox is a robust web browser which has an intuitive interface and blocks viruses, spyware, and popup ads. It is packed with useful features like tabbed browsing, Live Bookmarks, and an integrated Search bar.

D.3.2 Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer is a web browser by Microsoft. If is installed automatically with all Windows XP machines.

D.3.3 FileZilla

FileZilla is an application that can be used to transfer files between machines using the Internet.

D.4. Additional Software

D.4.1 Symantec Antivirus

Having virus protection on your workstation is essential to the continued health of your workstation, our networks, and the safeguarding of your data. If you do not have Symantec Antivirus on your workstation submit a request to the Help Desk as soon as possible.

D.4.2 7 Zip

7 Zip is a free, easy to use zip file manager that lets you create new, open existing, add to and extract from zip files. It can also create Self-Extracting archives and archives spanned across multiple floppy disks.

D.5. Email

All Price College faculty and staff are provided with an OU email account with a 2 GB quota. You must first obtain an OU NetID then activate your OU Net account prior to accessing your OU email the first time.

D.5.1. Microsoft Outlook Mail

Microsoft Outlook is widely considered to be the industry standard email application. Outlook is often used as a stand-alone email application but it offers a range of other useful features such as shared calendar, task and contact manager and web browsing.

D.5.2. OU Outlook Web Access

Webmail enjoys a world-wide reputation as an email system, with proven reliability, improved security, and seamless integration with campus technology. Users may check mail anywhere in the world without the necessity of installing and configuring an email client.

Using an Internet Service Provider (ISP), such as AOL, MSN, Netscape, AT&T or Cox Cable, users can connect to OU Web Mail by following the instructions below:

• Open your browser to http://exchange.ou.edu
• Enter your OU ID (4 + 4) in the user name field
• Enter your OUNet password in the password field
• Select the "sign in" button