Microserve ordering questions & resources

The Microserve portal is a webstore for UVic's main technology vendor. It's replaced the PDF quote generator hosted on the TSC website used for standard equipment orders.

UVic employees can now:

• see up-to-date pricing, product information, and stock levels
• create custom shopping carts with multiple types of computers and accessories
• submit Microserve orders without having to use WebReq
• look up previous orders and saved carts
• check Microserve order status

Any UVic employee can login to the Microserve portal using their NetLink ID and passphrase. Once logged in you can browse the catalogue and create saved carts.

If your department isn't set up with Approvers yet, you can still use the portal to make quote attachments for your WebReq orders.

Check out our resource page for ordering a standard computer or Mac!

It covers the basics of logging in and placing an order with a video tutorial or step-by-step written instructions.

Check out our resource page for ordering a standard computer or Mac!

It covers the basics of logging in and placing an order with a video tutorial or step-by-step written instructions. You can follow steps 1 through 10 to create a quote PDF.

Check out our resource page for approving standard orders!

It covers the basics of logging in and approving an order with a video tutorial or step-by-step written instructions.

The Microserve portal is designed for standard orders with one FAST account. If your order requires a combination of FAST accounts, please use the WebReq order process. You can find instructions for FAST Web Requisition on the Purchasing Services site.

Here's some Microserve specific information for WebReqs:

• Make sure to include the correct building and room number in your Ship To address so the delivery doesn't get lost.
  
  
• Choose a delivery location open to the public during regular business hours, like a department office. If couriers aren't able to get to your location your order may return to Microserve's warehouse.
  
  
• You can just type "Microserve" into the Selected Vendor box, no need to use a vendor code.
  
  
• Don't forget to attach a quote! You can use the Microserve portal to make a shopping cart PDF.
  
  
• You can send your WebReq directly to the TSC's queue by selecting TSC - Technology Solutions Centre from the Send requisition to a Department drop-down menu.
  
  

Non-standard equipment orders will still need to use the WebReq process. You can find instructions for FAST Web Requisition on the Purchasing Services site.

You can contact the TSC or your Desktop Support Services Analyst to discuss options for equipment you can't find in the portal.

We recommend checking out the standard mac configurations in the Microserve portal first. They might have what you're looking for and it will arrive much quicker. If you need something different you can still use the Apple Store for Education to generate quotes for a WebReq.

Click here to access the Apple Store for Education

• Look up University of Victoria in the Find your school tool. Use the browse as guest option to access the webstore.
• Add items to your cart.
• When your cart is finished, click Send cart.
• Fill in your contact information on the Create Saved Cart page. You will receive an email from Apple with your cart PDF. 
• Click Submit. Purchasing staff will now be able to match your cart with your WebReq.
• The saved cart emails from Apple can take up to 30 minutes to arrive in your inbox. This PDF will be used as your quote for a WebReq.
• Make sure to add the saved cart number to the comment field on your WebReq and attach the Apple PDF. Purchasing staff use this information to process your order.

Important notes

• We strongly recommend purchasing the additional AppleCare Protection for all Apple computers to extend your warranty to a full three years. All UVic-owned macs can benefit from our on-site Apple Certified technicians if your computer ever needs service.
  
  
• Please select your items carefully when creating your saved cart. Any orders purchased through the Apple Store for Education have very restrictive return policies. You will only be able to return products that are defective or the result of a shipping error by Apple. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the TSC or your Desktop Support Services Analyst for assistance.

• Orders are shipped directly from the manufacturer or an Apple distribution centre. Some accessories may arrive sooner if they are shipping from a warehouse located in North America. Laptops and desktops come directly from manufacturing facilities overseas. If you encounter an order that takes longer than 30 days to arrive, please contact Purchasing Services with the WebReq number from your order.

Orders using professional development (Pro-D) funds have a different approval process so you'll have to use WebReq to submit the order. You can find instructions for FAST Web Requisition on the Purchasing Services site.

To use your Pro-D funds:

1. Make your WebReq as usual and include delivery address, quote attachments, and commodity items. Don't forget to include any Pro-D approval forms!
   
   
2. Add the first and last name of the person whose Pro-D funds are being used in the Comment Field at the top of the WebReq.
   
   
3. Save the WebReq and click Submit.
   
   
4. In the Send to a Department drop down menu select the entry PROD Computers.  Accounting will check your Pro-D funds and complete the financial information for you.

Research accounts have different approval processes so you'll have to use WebReq to submit the order. You can find instructions for FAST Web Requisition on the Purchasing Services site.

Here's some Microserve specific information for WebReqs:

• Make sure to include the correct building and room number in your Ship To address so the delivery doesn't get lost.
  
  
• Choose a delivery location open to the public during regular business hours, like a department office. If couriers aren't able to get to your location your order may return to Microserve's warehouse.
  
  
• You can just type "Microserve" into the Selected Vendor box, no need to use a vendor code.
  
  
• Don't forget to attach a quote! You can use the Microserve portal to make a shopping cart PDF.
  
  
• You can send your WebReq directly to the TSC's queue by selecting TSC - Technology Solutions Centre from the Send requisition to a Department drop-down menu.
  
  

The Microserve portal and Apple Store for Education are for instituational purchases only.

If you are looking to supplement a Pro-D purchase with some personal funds, we recommend contacting Financial Services to discuss options.

Standard computers:

• are carefully evaluated and tested hardware that can be encrypted.
  
  
• are eligible for warranty service on campus.
  
  
• have an up-to-date operating system with UVic software included.
  
  
• are ready to connect to UVic enterprise services.
  
  
• are stocked locally for the quickest possible delivery to campus.

All TSC standard computers undergo an evaluation process prior to selection. We focus on hardware quality, compatibility with our campus computing environment, and overall user experience for each model.

The TSC reviews new models on an annual basis to coincide with manufacturer hardware refreshes, and endeavours to make the transition to new standards as seamless as possible for end users.

TSC standard computers are compatible with UVic's enterprise computing environment, including applications like FAST, BANNER, and the Exchange email/calendaring services.

They meet hardware and software requirements for data security. 

All of our standard computers can be warranty serviced by certified in-house technicians, who ensure that confidential data never leaves campus.

Yes! University Systems has on-site technicians certified to repair UVic-owned standard computers provided they're still under warranty.

If your computer needs a repair, contact your Desktop Support Service Analyst or the TSC.

Your standard computer will arrive with an operating system configured for use at UVic. We use software directly from vendors like Microsoft and Apple. Every application or utility included in the image has been vetted and properly configured for enterprise use.

You can contact your Desktop Support Service Analyst to complete the set-up of your standard computer.