Free Software

The University has made a large amount of the software you need for your studies available to you free of charge, to download onto your own devices. Use this link to find out what is available.

UniApps

There is an increasing demand from students and staff to access software applications on devices both on campus and off campus.

UniApps addresses this need through a web interface that gives students and staff access to all the software they need, from a familiar and customisable app store-style portal.  Use this link to find out how to access UnipApps

Accessing Computers from Outside the University.

The availability of free software via the links above should allow you to get the software you need for your studies and should be your first point of call find what you need. 

There may be times where you need to remotely access specific software on a computer from outside the university. Using LabSoft and our Remote Desktop Gateway allows this.

This link will show you how. 

You can contact customer support for help with these services or you can call on 01443 482882 

We have a variety of Media and AV equipment, most of which may be booked and borrowed for a period of 1 to 48 hours, and use an online media booking system, Connect2.

Use this system to book equipment for collection from your Faculty’s Equipment Loans Stores, Advice Zone, or Information & Service Desk in your campus library.

• Laptop loans — Students can borrow laptop computers from the Advice Zone or Information & Service Desk in your campus library.

• Media equipment loans — In addition to some media equipment being available for general use, specialist equipment is available to specific courses and may require induction

• Media & AV — portable media equipment is available for loan using the Connect2 booking system. Audio-visual presentation facilities are available in theatres and teaching rooms.

Our Media Services provides facilities and support for students, particularly those producing and editing their own audio and video programmes as part of a practical media module.

You will find high quality media facilities and services at each of the University’s sites, and video camcorders, audio recorders and related equipment may be borrowed from Media Reception, subject to written confirmation from your tutor.

Editing suites are also available, and if you want to brighten up your soundtrack you have access to our library of Music Clips and Sound Effects. Selections from this extensive professional sound library may be added to your media production, subject to compliance with license conditions.

During the Covid –19 Lockdown, IT Services are providing suitable PC equipment on Loan to staff and Students, in order to carry out their day to day role, or for Students who wish to continue with Course Assignments,. This will be authorised by your IT Co-ordinator/ course leader once approved by your Department/Faculty a POB (support call) request will be logged with the IT Service Desk, who will then handle your request.

If any information needs clarification or further detail you will be contacted, and your request put on hold, so do please include as much detail as you can.

On collection/delivery of the equipment you will be required to complete and submit the online loan form.

Faculty owned devices, please submit your request to your Head of department who will approve/authorise for you to attend site and remove kit from your desk at a scheduled agreed time.

Collection - You will be required to complete and   submit the online loan form prior to leaving the university.

Delivered to you by USW -

You will be required complete and submit the online loan form

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=fP6q5RuXt0qwORQa02rOwCfpmkKORwNInSsW_pZ1JHpUQkxFQ0pQR0xQRDNVUzMxNzlFN080WFBTWS4u

The University provides Virtual Private Network (VPN) services to staff which enables them to connect securely to the University’s campus network.

There are currently two services available.

• Standard VPN Access - For staff using their own device to connect to their office computer
• Enhanced VPN Access - For staff using a USW Device and do not have a desktop computer.

Cisco AnyConnect

Both these systems require connection to our Virtual Personal Network (VPN) solution  Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client. This may be installed for you on your USW supplied machine but not on your own device. You may have to install it.

Staff should download the VPN Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility client via the VPN webpage our address is vpn.southwales.ac.uk you will need to enter this in the client interface.

You are required to login using your UNI username and password. You will be offered to download the appropriate VPN client application for your computer.

Documentation is available below, to help with the installation and use of the new client software.

Windows
macOS

For staff who work off campus on  University owned equipment and allows drive mapping to internal servers, has full Outlook connectivity, allows Internet browsing and provides updates for Microsoft patches and anti-virus.

This software makes your computer think it is on-campus. Depending on the speed of your home broadband, some activities may be slower than when you are physically on campus. You should only use this if you need access to services that are only accessible on Campus.  You may have to install our VPN

To Remote Desktop (RDP) to your office Windows PC from a personal device.

Initial steps for accessing your office PC.

You will need to make a note of your computer name which can be found by double clicking on the  shortcut on your desktop. 
Alternatively you can obtain this by simply right click My Computer and selecting properties.

Please place a service desk call if you don't have this.

Using the Remote Desktop tool.

If off campus you will first need to be running the VPN client. 

NOTE Should you experience any issues logging in to the Remote Desktop tools detailed below please retry adding the prefix uni\ to your username eg uni\jrhartley instead of just jrhartley.

To launch the Remote Desktop Application:

1. Select Start, the All Programs(Windows 7) or All Apps (Windows 10) 
2. Now select Accessories or Windows accessories and double click the Remote Desktop Connection application 
3. In the Window that opens type the computer name you wish to connect to. 
4. Now select Connect.
5. You will now be taken to your office pc and asked for your user ID and Password once more.

If using an iMac or MacBook you will need to use Microsoft Remote Desktop which can be downloaded from the App Store.

1. Launch Microsoft Remote Desktop from Go > Applications.
2. Click + New.
3. Type a Connection name (i.e. Work PC).
4. Type your full computer name into PC name field then close the dialog box.
5. Right click on the PC in the list and select Start. You will be prompted for username and password.

You can now use your office pc and all of its programs and applications remotely.

To exit the Remote Desktop connection

1. Select Start button and select Windows Security (this has the same function of pressing Alt, Ctrl and Delete if you were physically at the computer). 
2. A menu will open with such options as Lock WorkStation, Log Off and Shut Down. 
3. PLEASE DO NOT SHUT DOWN.

Instead simply “Sign out”

This is will ensure the pc is left powered on and allow IT support to update all machines with security patches.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the service desk via https://www.southwales.ac.uk/customersupport or 01443 482882.

Logging into ACD.

Automated Call Distribution is a method of distributing and delivering volumes of inbound telephony calls and emails to a selected group of individuals. When there are more incoming calls than available agents then calls may be queued with comfort messages, messages regarding call progress and/or routing to voice messaging services. Its accessed from the following link, directly from inside our network and via VPN from outside.

https://liberty.it.southwales.ac.uk/agent

To use the system you must be allocated to a group or groups. You will use your username (not your email) to log in and the initial password is 0000. You will need to create your own password when you first log in.

Once logged in you will see the following screen, replace "desk" with the telephone number to which you want to receive calls. 

This could be your extension, mobile or home number. Check that you log into the correct group. Click start when ready.

The following screen may open when logging in depending on your browser, click the web agent button in the top right to continue.

On other browsers you just log in and are ready to take calls.

You can change your status for times when you cant take calls. You would typically make yourself busy when you go to lunch or attend a meeting for example. 

Cisco Jabber delivers voice and video calls, voice messaging. NB: Prior to using this application, you must have the ability enabled for your account by logging a call through the IT service desk.

Click for support using Jabber