Desktop Enhancement Program

The Desktop Enhancement (DE) program supplies one new Dell computer every four or five years to qualified faculty and staff in all academic and administrative departments for their business needs. Macintosh computers are also available through the DE program as an upgrade option. To qualify for the DE program, faculty and staff must meet both of the following qualifications:

  • 100% Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
  • General Revenue Allocation (GRA) Funded

Note: Employees who are not FTE or are non-GRA funded, including but not limited to Auxiliary, Restricted Grants & Appropriations, Restricted Expend Gifts & Endowment, and Continuing Education funded positions, must purchase computers with their department funds.

The IT Department manages the DE program, but each department has an assigned point of contact(s) to work with the IT Asset Management Team to ensure the department's employee and computer information is up to date for annual computer replacements.

What IT Provides

All hardware returns are subject to a 20% restocking fee unless the equipment is damaged or defective. Damaged or defective equipment will be replaced at no cost.

IT provides a subsidy toward a supported DE-configured laptop or desktop, which they review quarterly. Departments are responsible for all additional upgrade options above the DE configuration stipend, including upgrades to a different Dell model or a Macintosh.* 

 

Stipend Amounts

DE Configured Laptop: ~$1,280

Note: If you select a laptop for your DE machine, IT will include a WD19 docking station (valued at $184), if requested.

DE Configured Desktop: ~$815 

 

Desktops are recommended for essential staff who are required to be on campus. Otherwise, laptops are preferred for most faculty and staff. At the end of the four- or five-year cycle, the DE program replaces the old computer with a new computer, and the departments return all old DE computers to IT for surplus processing.

IT replaces monitors on a break/fix basis; these additional costs are the department's responsibility.

*Resources for Macintosh computers are limited, and resolution times may take longer to complete. If an external Apple technician is needed to resolve an issue, the department may incur additional support fees. 

 

Available DE Computers

The program offers a minimum configuration to provide workplace flexibility and eliminate the need for multiple computing devices.

Upgrade options are available at cost to the department. See the Supported Hardware page for approximate costs, but note they are subject to change due to market changes.

Dell Laptop

  • 14” display
  • i5 processor
  • 16 GB memory
  • 256 GB SSD (solid-state drive)
  • 4-year warranty
  • Replaced on a four-year cycle

Dell Desktop

 

  • i5 processor
  • 16 GB memory
  • 256 GB SSD (solid-state drive)
  • 4-year warranty
  • Replaced on a five-year cycle
Supported Hardware Prices and Specs

Check out our spreadsheet of the supported hardware we offer with listed prices and specifications. Hardware prices are only available to UM System employees. To view the pricing sheet, you will need to log into Google using your username@umsystem.edu.
See Prices & Specs  

Select the tab you want to see at the bottom of the spreadsheet:

Arrows pointing to desktop and laptop hardware tabs in the pricing sheet.

 

FAQ

(100%) Full-time, benefit-eligible

  • faculty
  • adjunct faculty
  • instructors
  • lecturers

with an appointment for more than two years can get a new computer if their existing computer is more than five years old.

 

Note: Systems outside of faculty and staff normal usage (e.g. research-funded machines, machines packaged with instruments, etc.) are not covered by this program.  
  1. IT notifies the department point of contact (POC) via email of the replacement list for the respective fiscal year.
  2. The department POC reviews and makes required changes.  Departments rearrange their respective computer replacement schedules within the intent, scope, and constraints of this program. Changes are communicated to and approved by IT. 
  3. The department POC selects new computers from options listed in the IT hardware pricing sheet for each individual due for a replacement.
  4. IT completes all technology purchasing for the DE program.

Note: DE monitors will not be replaced on the same four- to five-year life cycle.

You may select a computer and available upgrade options but with some stipulations:

  • You can choose a computer from the options identified in the IT hardware pricing sheet.  The computers and upgrade options are from the UM System volume purchasing agreements and include models that have passed IT infrastructure support tests.  
  • Your department's authorized fiscal approver must approve all additional costs associated with your selection and upgrade options.

When you find the supported computer you want, work with your department POC for approval. Have your department POC submit a ticket on your behalf, including a Mocode to pay for the additional charges, if applicable, under IT Procurement>Desktop Enhancement>Request/Submit DE Information. 

If you would like to schedule a meeting for additional guidance on this program, please submit a ticket under IT Procurement>Hardware>Request DE Information.

Determine your computer and upgrade options on the basis of what best fits your needs. IT is available to assist you with determining the computer and configuration that best fits your needs.  If the DE configuration does not meet your requirements, IT has a consultation process to identify more advanced computing needs. To initiate the process, please submit a Request DE Consultation Cherwell ticket under IT Procurement>Desktop Enhancement>Request DE Consultation. 

This process will identify upgrades that will enable you to perform your computing duties more effectively and efficiently.  Any costs associated with custom configurations are the requesting department's responsibilities.  No computers below minimum base configuration will be allowed on the network, and all computers must remain compatible with the campus computing infrastructure. 

No, all hardware purchased as part of the DE program is the property of Missouri S&T and is managed and maintained by IT.  Therefore, all hardware upgrades purchased as part of the DE program (e.g. larger displays, additional memory, etc.) must be returned to IT for surplus.