IT Purchasing
Digital Innovation and Technology Services (DITS) provides the University’s IT purchasing service.
Academic departments and professional services teams must purchase IT equipment through DITS unless they have been explicitly authorised to buy directly from a supplier.
Submit a purchase request
Computer equipment
Equipment for new starters
Request standard computer equipment for staff who are new to the University or moving to a new department.
Request equipment for a new starter
Additional equipment
For extra or replacement equipment:
- Browse the IT equipment catalogue (PDF).
- Complete the Additional Equipment Request form.
Specialist equipment, such as high-powered workstations or Apple Macs, may need to be funded by your department. See **Funding and charges** below.
Software
For Adobe software, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Project or Microsoft Visual Studio, ask your line manager to submit a Request a Software License form.
For all other software, submit a Software Request form.
Please allow at least four weeks between submitting your request and needing the software to be available. Where possible, purchased software will be made available through the AppsAnywhere.
Mobile phones and SIM cards
The University uses Vodafone for all mobile phone and SIM card connections.
To request a mobile phone or SIM card:
- Choose a suitable handset from the Mobile phone catalogue (PDF).
- Ask your departmental administrator to complete the Mobile Device and SIM Card Request form](login required).
You should also read the Mobile Communication Device Policy (PDF) before submitting a request.
Funding and charges
Departments and teams participating in the Work Anywhere and Smarter Working at Essex programmes can receive standard computer equipment without a direct charge to their departmental budget. This includes standard equipment for new starters.
Specialist or higher-specification equipment, including high-powered workstations and Apple Macs, must normally be funded from the departmental budget.
Funding provided through Occupational Health for individual requirements will continue to be considered through the usual process.
Departmental IT Asset Managers
Departmental IT Asset Managers (DIAMs) work with DITS to coordinate equipment replacements.
They are also responsible for keeping departmental records up to date when equipment is issued, replaced, moved or returned.
Find your Departmental IT Asset Manager.
Ordering deadline
IT equipment that needs to be charged to the current financial year must be ordered by 31 May.
Requests submitted after this date may be charged to the following financial year.
Warranty and support
The following support arrangements apply only to equipment supplied by DITS.
DITS provides support and warranty repairs free of charge for:
- desktop computers less than five years old
- laptop computers less than four years old
- eligible monitors supplied through the Work Anywhere or Smarter Working at Essex programmes within the previous five years
A monitor replacement may be chargeable if the monitor was not provided through one of these programmes or is more than five years old.
Equipment that is still within its supported lifespan but is beyond economical repair will normally be replaced with an equivalent model free of charge.
Equipment that has reached the end of its supported lifespan will no longer be supported by DITS. It should be returned to us for secure disposal in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if equipment fails before a planned Work Anywhere replacement?
You can request a replacement from DITS if equipment needs to be replaced before the individual or department is migrated to Work Anywhere.
Do departments need to request routine equipment replacements?
No. DITS will work with departments throughout the financial year to coordinate routine equipment replacements. No separate request is normally required.
Is Work Anywhere equipment charged to departments?
Standard Work Anywhere equipment is centrally funded, including equipment for new starters.
How do I request specialist equipment?
Work Anywhere provides a standard equipment package designed to meet the needs of most staff.
Where specialist or higher-specification equipment is required, the department must normally fund the additional cost from its own budget. Occupational Health funding arrangements will continue to apply where appropriate.
