Software is applied to Campus Managed Desktops (both Common Desktop and Managed Desktop) using Group Policies via the Active Directory. Group Policies provide a means of centrally managing, and automating the installation of pre-configured software to large numbers of PCs. If you would like a particular application installed, please contact your Computing Officer in the first instance. A list of Computing Officers can be found at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/iss/campus/contacts/ouadmins.html
RAS provides a way of accessing applications on machines which cannot, for various reasons, run a Campus Managed Desktop, e.g. low spec machines, home machines, non-Windows machines, etc. See http://www.ncl.ac.uk/iss/software/ras/ for more information.
ISS Windows PC clusters all run the Common Desktop with additional specialist software applied. ISS Cluster machines have a wide range of software installed including standard packages, such as Microsoft Word and Internet Explorer, but also many specialist applications. Please see http://www.ncl.ac.uk/iss/teachlearn/clusters for more information or contact ISS Helpline who will be able to advise as to whether a particular software application is available on ISS Clusters.
ISS negotiates site licences for software installation on all types of computer system used by members of the University, including in some cases privately owned systems. The collection of site-licensed software is at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/iss/licences/