Standard Offering
We provide a standard suite of digital resources and services that are available to our all researchers and research projects.
Digital Research collaborates with the Library, Information Services, Research Platforms, and external providers to deliver a standard suite of resources. These resources cover the computer, software, data, advice, and training services required to support your research efforts.
If you need resources beyond the standard offering, you should use the appropriate channels to request additional resources, as documented below. You should initiate these requests as early as possible, ideally during the project planning stage, to allow sufficient time for the selection and provisioning of suitable solutions.
Compute resources are available to run your software, either on premises or via national providers. These include, desktop and laptop computers, servers and virtual machines, and high-performance computers.
Desktop and Laptop Computers
The standard specification (SOE) for desktop and laptop computers is managed by Information Services (IS). These computers are supplied to staff and students by IS, subject to eligibility and funding criteria as outlined int the Desktop Equipment Policy.
There are several reasons why you might require a non-standard computer. These include medical or occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, or because the SOE computers do not meet the technical specifications required for your research. In these cases, you must submit a request to IS so that they can find and supply an appropriate solution. See the knowledge base article, via the link below, for more information.
Advice on Non-Standard Computers
Servers and Cloud Computing
Researchers can request hosted servers, virtual machines, cloud resources, etc. on which to run their research software and processes. These can be provisioned by IS or provided by NeCTAR (the national research cloud). Both routes have a request and approval process. Use the button below for more information.
High-Performance Computing (HPC)
HPC allows the analysis of large or complex problems that are not solvable with laptop and desktop computers. Researchers at La Trobe University can apply for access to local and national HPC resources, including some Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) options. Use the button below to learn more about the resources available and the authorisation processes.
Access to a range of software is provided to researchers via the following channels:
- Software Centre: you can install software on any SOE desktop or laptop using this application: How do I install software?
- Microsoft 365: this platform provides a range of business apps, which are accessible using your La Trobe University account.
- Site Licenses: are maintained at the institutional level for important software packages.
- Other Tools: access is provided to some online tools, including the Online Research Notebook and some Survey Tools.
Requests for additional software can be submitted to IS using the button below.
Supported Use-Cases
Storage solutions for the following use-cases are available to all La Trobe University researchers:
- Collaboration and active projects
- Laboratory notebooks
- High-performance computing
- Instrument data
- Data Publishing
Find out about Storage Solutions
Other Storage Requirements
If the provided solutions do not meet your research data requirements, please contact Digital Research for further advice. We advise against using other storage options like Teams, OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
Digital Research training is available to all La Trobe University researchers, via our program of workshops.
Also, there is a broader range of workshops and seminars for researchers available from the Graduate Research School and Library, via the RED program.
Advice is available to researchers through regular events, our research platforms, and our mailbox.
We run regular sessions where researchers can get updates and ask questions:
- Digital Research Drop-ins: every month
- REDCap community hour: every fortnight
Our Research Platforms support researchers with specialist advice and services, including:
- The Statistics Consultancy provide statistical advice about research methods, experimental design and data analysis.
- The Clinical Trials platform provide expertise and support for high quality clinical trial design.
And all other enquiries about digital research can be made via our mailbox: