Standard Hardware
HBS provides every faculty member with a single desktop or laptop computer that is upgraded on a three-year cycle (some faculty members may have access to additional funding for technology purchases). We are pleased to support both Windows and Mac OS machines to meet your needs; see Standard Systems for New Faculty for more detail.
Standard Software
All HBS computers include a standard software suite for office productivity and security. As of February 2018, Windows machines are delivered with Windows 10 and Office 2016. Mac machines receive a recent version of Mac OS, and Office 2016. Microsoft Outlook is used on both platforms for e-mail and calendar collaboration across the school.
Other software can be installed on your HBS computer, but it must be requested through HBS for inventory and support purposes:
- Research Computing Services (RCS) will help you acquire and use software you require for your research. Please contact research@hbs.edu or 617.495.6100 for more information about these offerings.
- Technology Support Services (TSS) will help you with all other desktop software. They can be reached at ithelp@hbs.edu or 617.495.6600 after you arrive.
Network and Server
Access to the HBS research compute grid and MySQL database server are freely available to all faculty for analysis and storage of research data. Please contact research@hbs.edu or 617.495.6100 for more information about these offerings.
Centralized file storage on the HBS network, and collaboration tools (Microsoft SharePoint, OneDrive for Business), are available to store all faculty data. Data stored on the HBS network will be safely backed up, and can be securely accessed from any onsite or remote computer with a connection to the Internet. We strongly encourage faculty to use centralized storage and collaboration tools, and to avoid keeping data on their local desktop and laptop machines.
Secure wireless network connectivity is widely available across campus.
Before You Arrive
You will be contacted prior to your arrival by John Owen, Director of Technology Support Services to discuss your technology requirements. If you have any technology questions before then, feel free to contact Technology Support Services at ithelp@hbs.edu or 617.495.6600 and ask for John. Please work with us to confirm your technology requirements as soon as possible so that they can be purchased, configured, and ready in advance of your arrival.
If you have questions relating to your research (e.g., research software, data that you would like to transfer, obtaining an advance account on the research servers, or research data and services available) please contact Research Computing Services (RCS) at research@hbs.edu or 617.495.6100. Research Computing Services orders and supports research software, and provides access and support for local and remote research systems. They also provide a variety of services including methodological and statistical consultation, and a number of data and programming services. If you are interested in the Computer Lab for Experimental Research, please contact behavioral@hbs.edu or 617.496.3167.
Your HBS Account
Email and access to your HBS computer will be available on the first day of your appointment (for many new faculty this is July 1). The remainder of your access (such as to the HBS Intranet) will be enabled overnight, and be available to you starting on the second day of your appointment.
When You Arrive
Your desktop or laptop computer will be configured and installed in your office before you arrive. In addition you will be contacted by a representative from HBS IT's Instructional Design Services group who will acquaint you with the HBS computing environment in an effort to jump-start your productivity.
You can receive ongoing desktop support after your arrival by contacting Technology Support Services at ithelp@hbs.edu or 617.495.6600. Support is provided Monday through Friday, 7am-7pm and Sunday 1pm-7pm.