Computing

Services & Facilities

Computing facilities throughout the Freeman School include virtual computer labs, a general purpose lab, a financial analysis lab, a computer classroom, a Trading Room, a behavioral lab, research stations in the library, teaching stations in each classrooms and e-mail stations.

If you need assistance, email abftech@tulane.edu or call 504-314-2238.

Student Laptop Loaner Program

Students in need of a loaner laptop to complete courses can apply to the Student Laptop Loaner Program by selecting the link on their Gibson home page.  Complete the Student Equipment Borrowing Agreement and Policy for Use and sign it.  Laptops can be borrowed for a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 1 semester.

 

Policies

The Computing Policies at the Freeman School work in conjunction with the university's computing policy published by Tulane Technology Services.

Computer Specifications & Requirements

Student computers must meet the specifications as outlined by the Freeman School. These required computer specifications will meet your needs in the classroom, and should be adequate throughout your tenure in the Freeman program. Students are expected to utilize their computers during classroom instruction as determined by their instructors. These pages contain the information that you, as a Freeman School student, require to plan your computer purchase, configure your computer for the Freeman network, find answers to questions, and more.

Basic requirements for all programs are:

Note that in order to support specialized software required for the Freeman School course curriculum, the Windows operating system will be required. Apple Macintosh computers running the Macintosh operating system, macOS, will not be able to run some of the required programs. See the "USING A MAC" section of this page for more information. 

These do not meet the requirements and are incapable of running the required applications

  • Chromebooks
  • iOS devices such as iPads and iPhones
  • Windows Server platforms
  • Windows RT
  • Linux

Using a Mac

About the Macintosh

As you read the Freeman School's notebook computer specifications, you quickly notice that Microsoft Windows is required. Notebook computer specifications are based on software required in the classroom and for research. Many of the computer programs required for use throughout the curriculum are available for Windows only such as SAS and CapIQ plug-ins. And some classes use Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) in Excel or use programs that require VBA, such as Crystal Ball. Crystal Ball is a Windows only application.  VBA is available only in the Windows version of Microsoft Office, thus the requirement for the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office for Windows.

"What about a Macintosh?"

While we can appreciate the Macintosh and its operating system, you will need to run Windows and Office for Windows on the Macintosh in order to use the required software for the courses in your curriculum. If you prefer the Macintosh, simply ensure that you are also running the Windows operating system and Office for Windows in order to support the software required for your courses.

Run Windows on your Macintosh

You can easily work around some software incompatibilities and comply with your course software requirements by running Windows and Office for Windows on your Macintosh.  Please note there may be some issues with the Macintosh keyboard as it relates to Excel for Windows shortcut keys while running Windows on a Macintosh computer. 

Below are several approaches.  Some are free and others may require purchases.

The Freeman Lab VDI approach

The Freeman Lab VDI is the recommended approach and is completely free.  It is only available to currently enrolled students, faculty and staff of the A. B. Freeman School of Business.  It provides most of the functionality that you will need with much less complexity.  Students are not permitted to install applications or plug-ins such as CapIQ plug-ins on the VDI.  The Freeman Lab VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) image can be accessed over the Internet using your Windows or macOS computer. The Freeman Lab VDI has the same applications as the physical lab computers in GWBC Room 209.  Pharos network printers are available for web printing.

Minimum required MacIntosh operating system, macOS High Sierra (10.13) or higher as of April 2020.

The Horizon client can be downloaded and installed and has added capabilities such as accessing files from your computer’s local drive and USB thumb drive.

The Virtualization approach: Parallels or VMware Fusion

Another approach is to use virtualization programs called "Parallels" or "VMware Fusion" that allows you to run Windows and Macintosh applications side-by-side.

If you are running RAM-consuming applications in your Windows virtual machine, make sure you keep at least 50% of total RAM allocated to Mac OS (Parallels Standard requires 8GB of vRAM and 4 vCPUs for each VM.  Leave at least 8GB of RAM for Mac OS). To find out how much RAM you have on your Mac click the Apple logo in the top left corner of the screen -> About This Mac.  We recommend having 16 GB or more of RAM.

Purchase and install Parallels and then install your copy of Windows and Office for Windows.

  • Purchase a copy of Parallels
  • Purchase a full license of Microsoft Windows. (Windows 7 is not supported)
  • Create a virtual machine in Parallels and install the Windows operating system. See the Parallels documentation for complete information and instructions.
  • After Windows is installed, start Windows (in Parallels) and download and install the free Microsoft Office 2016 (for Windows).

Macintosh video output

Our classrooms are equipped with industry-standard 15-pin VGA and full size HDMI connectors to accommodate notebook computer video projection. The Macintosh video output uses a variety of connectors, depending on the year and model of the device. Some models will require a Macintosh Video Adapter to connect to the classroom projectors. Macintosh accessories are available from the Technology Connection, Tulane's on-campus computer store, and from the Apple Store at www.apple.com.

Student Information

Your Access to Tulane and Freeman Business School Resources: Tulane User Account and Splash Card

See Computer Specifications & Requirements section for required computer specifications that will meet your needs in the classroom, and should be adequate throughout your tenure in the Freeman program.

Printing

  • Printing with Pharos for students
  • Business School printer names begin with ABF
  • Printing to Pharos network printers costs 10 cents per page. Color printing is available in GWBC 209 computer lab at the rate of 70 cents per page.  At the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters, student accounts begin with 1000 pages of print credits.  The initial 1000-page balance covers the required printing in most classes.  If students require additional print credits, then Tulane Splash card credits should be used.

Logging onto Freeman Computers

  • Students Logon to Freeman computers with Tulane User Name and password
  • Freeman Lab VDI - The Freeman Lab VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) can be accessed over the Internet using your Windows or MacOS computer.
    • Go to freeman.tulane.edu/computing, green accordion Support section for video and written tech notes.
    • This is especially useful for Apple Macintosh users who need the full functionality of Excel and the specialized applications.
      •  
    • The Freeman Lab VDI has the same applications as the physical computers in GWBC Computer Lab 209 and GWBC Computer Classroom 180. 
  • Computer Labs
    • The general purpose computer lab in GWBC Room 209 has 12 multimedia workstations, two Pharos black and white printing stations and one color print station nearby.
    • Financial Analysis Lab in Room 340 is closed at this time.  Most applications are available online. Check with Turchin Library.
  • Computer Classrooms
    • GWBC Room 180 with 25 workstations and a Pharos print station
    • The Trading Room has 24 workstations with specialized applications such as Refinitive, Eikon, Trading Technologies, Morningstar, Palisades and others.
    • Each classroom has an instructor console with computer, projection, video, and sound capabilities. Instructors and students use these facilities for lectures and presentations in class.
  • Do store documents that you create on your OneDrive (part of Office 365) or third-party online cloud storage.  This will also allow you to share data and large files with team members.
  • Do backup your files to a removable media.
  • Don't save files to a Freeman Business School computer. This will cause loss of data upon logout.
  • Logoff before stepping away from computer

Tulane Account Services

Security For Your Notebook Computer

Computer Assistance

Last updated: 8/12/20

Faculty & Staff Information

Tulane Accounts for Students to Access Freeman Network Resources

If you require that your students have access to Freeman Business School resources such as computers, Freeman VDI, and network printers for your class, please follow the steps outlined here to request student accounts. We require that requests for student accounts come from faculty or from the directors of our various programs.

If you have students in your class who need access to Freeman network resources such as logging onto Freeman computers, the Freeman VDI and network printing, please email Jean Mouton your list.

Who has accounts?
Graduate and BSM students, with few exceptions, will already have Freeman accounts. Business minors may have access if they were a business school student in a prior semester and used their account at least once. Non-business students will likely not have access. In some exceptional cases BSM students may not have access, depending on factors such as the date that they declared the BSM as first major and registered for a course.

Box

Cloud-based storage is available using Tulane's enterprise Box online storage licensed for Faculty and Staff or OneDrive (part of Office 365) for students, faculty and staff.

Best recommended practice is to regularly backup your computer's documents to Box or OneDrive.  Do not back up entire computer.

VPN

When off campus connect using Tulane VPN through the Pulse VPN client to access administrative applications like Banner, EBS, etc.

NetOp Vision Classroom Control Software

The computer classroom GWBC Room 180 and Behavior Lab Room 121 are equipped with NetOp Vision classroom control software. Using the NetOp Vision software, instructors can monitor student workstation activities, distribute and collect documents from students, broadcast a student workstation to the screen, take control of a student workstation, or blank all student workstations. Instructors can also control which applications can be used and can even block the use of the Internet.

Contact Jean Mouton for detailed instructions.

Hurricane Preparedness Info

In preparation for storm season please take a moment to review and update your Freeman Directory record, including the emergency contact information. In the event of an evacuation the information you provide here will be a critical resource for Freeman School administration to communicate with you.

Click here to access the directory.

If you need further assistance please contact Web Services.

Lab Information

Lab Support Hours

The computing lab is located in GWBC room 209 with card access 24x7.  Student Worker lab support is located in GWBC room 205.  Below are the support hours.
Sunday 9:00am - 12:00am
Monday through Thursday 8:00am - 12:00am
Friday 8:00am - 10:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 10:00pm

Summer Hours
Sunday 12:00pm - 10:00pm
Monday through Thursday 8:00am - 10:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm - 5:00pm

 

You must have your Tulane ID card to enter the computing lab in GWBC room 209, 24 hours a day.  Lab 209 is closed Thursdays from 12:00 A.M. through Thursday at 7:00 A.M. for computer maintenance.  The lab is closed during Tulane University holidays and breaks at which time there is no access.

Software packages available for use in the lab:

  • Operating System and Tools
    • Windows 10
    • Internet Explorer
    • TrendMicro OfficeScan
  • Application Software
    • Adobe DC Pro
    • GMetrix SMS
    • Libre Office
    • Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016
      • Word
      • Excel
      • PowerPoint
      • Access
    • Crystal Ball
    • MatLab
    • Putty
    • Quickbooks
    • R and R Studio
    • SmartDraw
    • SPSS
    • SAS
    • STATA
    • NotePad++
    • VLC

  • Student Workers, located in GWBC 205, are available for assistance with printing.

Support

Getting Help From Business School Information Technology

For account issues, passwords resets, or computing questions, a Freeman MTC staff member will be able to help.

  • Call the help line at (504) 314-2238
  • Send an email to abftech@tulane.edu
  • Find an answer in the below tech notes.

Management Technology Center Support Staff are available by appointment

Kevin Ammentorp
GWBC Room 154

Wayne Dolese
GWBC Room 205A

Jason McFarland
GWBC Room 205B

Jean Mouton
GWBC Room 205C

Matthew Wan
GWBC Room 205D

 

 
 
Tom Gerace is Assistant Dean for Information Technology and Media Services for Business and Law Schools

 

TechNotes

TechNotes are locally written documentation describing the use of computing facilities at Freeman.

Accessing the Freeman Lab VDI

The Freeman Lab VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) image can be accessed over the Internet using your Windows or macOS computer while on the Tulane campus. The Lab VDI has the same applications as the physical computers in GWBC Computer Lab 209. Pharos network printers are available for printing.

Minimum required Macintosh operating system, macOS High Sierra (10.13) or higher as of April 2020.

Student Laptop Loaner Program

Students in need of a loaner laptop to complete courses can apply to the Student Laptop Loaner Program by selecting the link on their Gibson home page.  Complete the Student Equipment Borrowing Agreement and Policy for Use and sign it.  Laptops can be borrowed for a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 1 semester.

Software & Web Applications

 

Wireless Network Connection

Printing

Digital Signatures