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IT Help and Support

University Information Services
 

Administrative Computing Network (ACN) devices are being retired. They will not be supported after June 2025. ACN/UAS Desktop devices are not well suited to hybrid working and do not meet the requirements of the Systems Management Policy.

The ACN/UAS Desktop service is being replaced by the new University Managed Desktop (UMD). UMDs better support hybrid working. You can easily connect to network drives and download Microsoft 365 and Office 365 software. 
 


How to tell if you have an ACN desktop
 


You are still using the old ACN Desktop if:

  • You have Microsoft Office 2016 installed, or
  • You see the word 'internal' before your CRSid on the sign-in screen.  
 

Still not sure? Find out more about to how to identify ACN devices. 
 


We need to migrate ACN/UAS Desktop users now 
 


We need to migrate ACN/UAS Desktop users over to the UMD service as soon as possible. These devices will stop working in June 2025. We need to make sure everyone is moved over in advance of this.  
 


How to upgrade your device 
 


If you are still using an ACN Desktop device, you must request an upgrade by the end of May:

Latest news

Upgrading ACN/UAS Desktop devices – owner action required

7 May 2025

If you are still using a University-managed laptop or computer that runs the ACN/UAS Desktop, you need to request an upgrade to a University Managed Desktop (UMD) device by the end of May.

Change to Dropbox accounts 7 June 2025

30 April 2025

In 2023, Dropbox announced changes to its storage and pricing model and moved to a metered storage policy, having previously offered unlimited storage. As advised in October 2024, the University of Cambridge Dropbox Agreement, which Academia manages on our behalf, will not be renewed and will expire on 7 June 2025...

Change to outbound SMTP email relay 30 June

23 April 2025

We will retire the ppsw.cam.ac.uk SMTP relay on 30 June 2025. After this date, you will need to use the SMTP.cam.ac.uk outbound email.