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Work at Home Software

What is a software license?

A license is permission to do something which, without such permission, would be illegal. A software license, granted by a licensor (e.g. Microsoft), is permission to access and use digital information under the terms and conditions described in a Software License Agreement or End User License Agreement (EULA). A Software License Agreement/EULA is a written contract. It is important to note that installing software on a device without holding a license, or using software against the terms and conditions of the license agreement, is against the law.

What type of software licenses does Swinburne purchase?

Swinburne purchases software that is both site licensed, and individually licensed. However, all the software that is available for loan through the campus libraries has specified in the Software License Agreement that it can be used both in the office (on campus) and on staff and/or student's personal notebooks or home computers, for work/study purposes.

What exactly is a site license? Can anyone access this software for their home computer/notebook?
A “Site-License” is a licensing agreement that covers a physical location, and permits access to digital information to all authorised users at this location. Sometimes this license will extend to user's personal notebook or home computer. This is the case with all site-licensed software packages in Swinburne libraries. Swinburne site-licenses have two types of authorised users – Staff and Students . The software case will specify either:

“Staff Only Home Loan” ( all Swinburne staff – full-time, part-time – may borrow)

or

“Staff & Student Home Loan” ( all Swinburne staff as above and students – full-time/part-time TAFE or HED – may borrow).

Where can I search for loanable software?

To check availability, please see the online library catalogue

To view all software, enter Swinburne ITS Software in the "Search" box. For catalogue enquiries, please contact the library.

I use an individually licensed package in the office - can I have it for home?

Individually licensed packages at Swinburne are usually purchased by Departments/Faculties/etc for one staff member's office computer, and can usually be installed on one device only.

However, individually licensed software packages for loan via the library have a special clause in their End User License Agreement (EULA). This clause states that the license owner may have a second copy of the software installed on their personal notebook or home computer, as long as neither copy is running simultaneously.

If you wish to borrow such software packages, you must have written authorisation from ITS to borrow this package. This applies in all circumstances. To obtain this permission, please contact the Service Desk on x5000. The Service Desk staff will log a job to IT Procurement, who will check for a record of your license. If found, IT Procurement will close the job, with feedback confirming your license. The email generated by this process forms a "permission slip" which must be shown to library staff in order to borrow the software. If no license is identified, IT Procurement will contact you promptly.

If IT Procurement receive a request before 3pm Mon-Fri, we will endevour to provide same-day service. If submitted after 3pm, the request may be processed the following working day.

What if the package I want isn't in the library, or I am the only one who has purchased it?
Firstly, it is important to note that if the package you want isn't in the library, it may not have a clause in the EULA that allows home use. If unsure, you may be able to check the End User License Agreement through the package's "Help" function, or in written documentation. If it clearly states you are able to install a second copy on a notebook/home computer, please contact IT Procurement, including a copy of the agreement, to arrange a loan CD. If you can't find the agreement, or it seems ambiguous, IT Procurement are happy to look into it, and contact the licensor if necassary.

We can be contacted via itprocurement@swin.edu.au. Please be aware that same-day service may not be available if IT Procurement are required to track down/interpret an agreement and/or burn a CD.

Why do I have to get permission from ITS to borrow certain packages?

ITS require you to gain permission to loan individually licensed software packages for both your personal protection, and the protection of Swinburne University. Unauthorised installation or copying of software is a criminal offense, and can attract penalties of up to $93,500 for individuals and $467,500 for companies. An individual may also be sentenced to a maximum of five years imprisonment for each offense. In addition, civil action can be taken against companies and individuals for unlimited amounts. (Source: www.bsaa.com.au)

I am a Swinburne student - can I borrow software?

Some packages are available to undergraduate and/or postgraduate students. Please check the "Library Home Loan Software" page. Faculty of ICT Students Only: Please see staff in EN305 to loan software required for your course.

How do I access Microsoft and Adobe software for home use?

Although staff do not have to pay full retail price for a software license, Microsoft and Adobe stipulate that staff must purchase their own original media, with an individual CD key, for home use under Swinburne’s license agreement.

Microsoft and Adobe Work-at-Home can be ordered on-line.

Which Microsoft and Adobe products are licensed for Work at Home (WAH) use?

Swinburne's Microsoft and Adobe 'Campus Agreements' allow Swinburne staff to use the following packages at home at a minimal cost:

• Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007
• Microsoft Office Professional 2010
• Microsoft Office for Mac 2008
• Microsoft Office for Mac Standard 2011
• Microsoft Windows Vista Business
• Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (upgrade only) - 32-bit or 64-bit
• Microsoft Project Professional 2010
• Microsoft Visio Premium 2010
• Adobe Master Collection CS5.5 (PC or Mac)
• Adobe Captivate CS5.5 (PC or Mac)

Can I access individually licensed Microsoft products for home use?

Unfortunately not. Only software that is site-licensed under our Campus Agreement may be used under the Work at Home (WAH) program. To use other packages at home, staff would need to have them installed on a Swinburne owned notebook, or buy their own retail copy.