What is Software?

The question of “What is Software” is an often misunderstood one at the University.

Software is a set of instructions, typically referred to as ‘programs’, that perform operations and specific tasks based on a set of commands. Software enables users to perform tasks more efficiently. It can be purchased and downloaded onto a computer or set of computers, or it can “live” elsewhere such as the cloud and be accessed through a subscription or license purchase model. This includes any desktop or web application, subscriptions or licenses to online services that are software-based and not fully performed by humans, subscriptions for access to certain databases, etc.

Most software purchased at the University is a software-as-a-service: a method of software delivery and licensing in which software is accessed online via a subscription, rather than bought and installed on individual computers.

Software subscriptions or licenses may be recurring such as monthly or annually.

Certain software suppliers will only accept payments as auto-payments, meaning the cardholder’s card is stored securely in the company’s database and charged automatically prior to the subscription renewal. In cases of auto-pay, you must email your SPCC Program Administrator alerting them to the auto-pay need and provide the vendor name, software name, the amount of the recurring charge, the charge schedule (weekly, monthly, annually), the approximate date of the recurring charge, and the reason why this software is needed for the area so they can request approval from DOA.

All software subscriptions must be approved ANNUALLY by IT, including software purchased on contracts. This approval is facilitated using the Non-Standard Technology Purchase Request form.