New IT Equipment available to Functions

The Device Lifecycle team has been in contact with departments across various functions to arrange upgrades to standardised portable equipment, in line with the University’s Smart Working policy. The feedback from staff is that they appreciate the increased flexibility of the new laptops as well as the personalised support provided during transition from the old device. 

Anyone who would like more information on the Smart Working policy can find the details on the HR website https://www.reading.ac.uk/human-resources/working-life/smart-working

Problems with a new Surface device?

If you received a new Microsoft Surface device last year and either haven’t set it up, or have had problems setting it up, then you need to know that the Device Lifecycle team are offering any member of staff who has queries or on-going difficulties a 1-2-1 deskside support session. If this applies to you then please go to our Microsoft Surface set up webpage for details of how to request a visit from the team.

Is your team eligible for Device Replacement?

Have a look at our website to see if your department could benefit from an equipment upgrade, and contact us to discuss by emailing Device-lifecycle-DTS@reading.ac.uk

What’s new for 2023?

Our new Device Lifecycle team officially started work in December 2022 and is now responsible for the Device Replacement Programme.  The team will be co-ordinating with each school and function in turn to provide and install the most appropriate devices and peripherals. 

Following discussions with our Business Relationship Managers and stakeholders within each area, we are putting together a 12-month calendar which sets out the schedule of work planned until December 2023. This is expected to be part of a three year roll out to replace all old devices across the University.

What can you expect from us?

In an initial consultation, the team will discuss your area’s particular requirements, advise which devices and peripherals would enhance your digital working and answer any questions regarding the project.  They will then go onsite in your department to provide all help and support required to set up the new equipment.  

The aim is to ensure the transition is as simple and efficient as possible.

Until Device Replacement Rolls Out in Your Department ….

As always, if you have any problems with your University IT equipment, log a ticket with the IT Service Desk:

• Online through the IT Self Service Portal
• In person, you can visit the IT Service Desk on the first floor of the main Library on a weekday (8am to 5pm) or weekend (9am to 5pm), during term time
• Email dts@reading.ac.uk

Our User Support team will evaluate any slow performing or faulty devices and recommend next steps.

About the device replacement programme

Device lifecycle logo

The New Ways of Working (NWoW) Programme is an ambitious project including a sub-programme to replace all University devices with a standardised, easy to support-and-use, modern and portable device. The project to replace these aligns closely with the University’s strategic aims in terms of new ways of working, and this Programme will work closely with Estates, Health and Safety and HR to ensure consistency across each of these working areas, with a specific focus on digital flexibility and efficient working.

November Update

In our last post Device Replacement October update, we told you about our plans for the coming weeks to get the next phase up and running.

We have placed an order with our suppliers for the next batch of laptops. This has meant we have been able to take advantage of a bulk order discount.

We have recruited a device lifecycle engagement analyst who will start at the beginning of December. Also, we have recruited two additional dedicated User Support technicians, who will start working alongside our experienced engineers next month.

The envisioning centre in the URS Building is almost ready to accept visitors, and we expect it to be live before the Christmas break. Booking a visit for specific areas will be arranged through our engagement analyst.

Pilot: Human Resources

Example of a hot desk for HR (not all equipment supplied by DTS)

During the last week of November, our User Support technicians will be checking with the assigned stakeholders in HR to make sure that everything is set up and working as they required. This is an essential part of the device delivery process; ensuring everything that was agreed at the start of the project has been delivered before customer sign off. 

Next steps

Once HR have signed off the work, we will move to the next group. For the last month or so, our Business Relationship Managers have been contacting their areas to find out more detailed requirements and this has fed into the information we hold about the age of all devices to enable us to produce a draft schedule of work. As a result, the next area will be Legal (before Christmas), followed by Student Services (after the Christmas break).

Further information

We are in the process of setting up new communication channels, in the meantime if you need information about the device replacement programme, please raise a ticket with the IT Service Desk who will pass it to the team.

If you need a new device, this has reverted to the pre pandemic process and should be arranged through your department.