Hey, hey, you, you get ONTO my cloud

Cloud computing — Web-based shared software applications — is coming to the university with the introduction of myUTSA Apps.

Beginning with the Fall 2009 semester, UTSA students will have free access to a variety of software applications from Adobe, SAS and ArcGIS. More software packages will be added as they become available.

It’s a departure from the traditional way that we think about software. In most cases, the university purchases a software license that allows us to install the software on multiple PCs. In other cases, a software package is purchased for installation on a single PC.

In both cases, the software takes up disk space and each individual PC must be updated whenever software revisions are available.

In a cloud computing environment, the software application is hosted on an external server. Any user with an Internet connection (and proper permissions) can log in to access the software.

Since the software is not installed on individual PCs, there is no need to update those PCs.

The Office of Information Technology will conduct a communication campaign to introduce myUTSA Apps to UTSA students.