Software Purchases + Development
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Software Purchases + Development
Standard Software Listings
IST offers software support and troubleshooting for university-supplied software on university-supplied standard computers.
IST can assist with installation of non-standard, specialized software on local laptops and desktop computers but subsequent support, configuration and use should be directed to the software vendor.
Support requests for specialized software on local computers should be directed to the vendor.
Hundreds of software resources are also available to you on national systems, including some licensed research software, which may be available for use due to already being purchased by other U of A researchers. Find out more by booking a consultation with our Research Computing team. The U of A’s Research Computing Network is another avenue for discussion about software and how it is used and configured for research.
Links
- Standard software images information
- Existing software available on national research computing systems
- OnTheHub software information
- Software that has completed a Privacy and Security Review
Common Requests (Self Serve)
Community Software Sharing
IST's Research Computing team can consult with you to see if your software is available through a national research system. Book a consultation now to determine if these resources will suit your needs.
Research software installed on national research systems receives support through the national ticketing system by emailing support@tech.alliancecan.ca.
The U of A’s Research Computing Network is a digital communities-of-interest portal that connects you with discussions on research software (e.g., TensorFlow, Gaussian, E-Prime), development tools (e.g., R, Python, Julia, MATLAB, CUDA), specific research fields (e.g., bioinformatics, digital humanities, fluid dynamics) and Linux as a research platform.
Links
Common Requests (Self Serve)
Software Development
Programming may be required in instances where specialized research software is required to support specific research. Canadian researchers frequently collaborate on the development/modification of research software. The details of the Canadian research software landscape are described in detail in the 2022 Research Software (English/French) Current State Paper.
Development or adaptation of existing technology may be required due to the lack of commercial or open-source software applicable to the research question or data analysis being performed. Consultation with IST’s Research Computing group on what is available nationally can save researchers time in getting oriented to what is already available.
Local development and support is funded and resourced by the researcher, faculty or college.
The Digital Research Alliance of Canada is working on coordinating research software development.
Software Issues & Support
IST offers support and software troubleshooting for standard software installed on local computers.
IST can assist with installation of non-standard, specialized software but subsequent support, configuration and use should be directed to the vendor.
Support requests for specialized software on local computers should be directed to the vendor.
Links
- Standard software images information
- OnTheHub software information
- Software that has completed a Privacy and Security Review
- Digital Research Alliance of Canada System Status Page