The Office of Information Systems (IS) is the primary resource for all things computing at Wake Forest University (WFU). Our mission is to empower the WFU community in the use of information and digital technologies towards intellectual exploration, informed institutional decisions, and the creation and dissemination of knowledge. Driven by the core values of innovation, collaboration, and leadership, IS provides secure, reliable, and integrated technology resources that advance Wake Forest students’ academic goals.

All students are given a WFU Account. This account is maintained as long as the student is enrolled and provides access to networked computer resources such as email, client software packages, various courseware applications, and administrative services. Students are able to reset their forgotten password or change their expired password through a self-service password management portal, account.wfu.edu. Eduroam provides a secured WiFi network for visiting students to use their home institution’s WiFi credentials to access WiFi network services. Our students can take advantage of this service by using their Wake Forest credentials when visiting other eduroam participating institutions. 

All undergraduate students are required to have a laptop with minimum configuration requirements to be able to handle all academic software. Students have the choice to bring their own device or purchase a laptop through the WakeWare program. WakeWare provides students the opportunity to purchase a specially selected laptop configured to run academic technology at a negotiated price, bundled with extended warranties and protection, and provided with on-campus support. WakeWare evaluates new models, as available, to offer the most up-to-date technology to our students. WakeWare laptops have been thoroughly tested to ensure compatibility with academic software. Students receiving institutional aid qualify for a grant to cover the full cost of the WakeWare Standard computer and have two years to redeem their grant. 

The IS Service Desk, located on the main floor of the Z. Smith Reynolds Library, provides on-campus support for all IT-related questions and assistance. The Tech Shop, located in the IS Service Desk, is an authorized Apple, Dell, Lenovo ThinkPad, and Microsoft Surface service center.  With extended Service Desk hours, the online help portal, AskDeac, as well as Live Chat, there are extensive options for getting IT help. In addition, the IS website provides timely announcements and in depth service-related content. 

All students have free access to licensed software and tools, via Software@WFU, for coursework, degree projects, and research. Available software includes Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, InDesign and others), Canvas, Google Workspace, Maple, MatLab, Microsoft Office 365 and more. 

For advanced software with high computing requirements, WFU offers cloud-based virtualization. Engineering, among other departments, utilize a performance Workspace to run software, such as AutoCAD and COMSOL, needed for their Capstone Projects. The Wake Forest University Distributed Environment for Academic Computing (DEAC) cluster, a Linux-based High Performance Computing cluster, provides supercomputing services for academic research and coursework. These systems are available to students 24 hours a day through the Wake Forest University Network.

Information Systems maintains an extensive array of online resources, the Wake Information Network (WIN), Workday, Banner, and more, that support University admissions, student registration, grade processing, and other academic applications. 

Wake Forest has a student-run makerspace, named the WakerSpace. The space allows students to not only build physical projects using technology such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and solder stations, but also to learn skills such as podcasting, knitting, sewing, and woodworking through workshop partnerships with Facilities, Information Systems, and other resources across campus. By offering both academic and non-academic programs, the WakerSpace serves a broad range of interests across campus. Students also have unlimited access and full-time support using the One Button Studio, a fully automated video production facility, located in Z. Smith Reynolds Library behind the IS Service Desk.

Information Systems supports cable television and streaming services. All residence hall rooms are equipped with cable TV connections and/or the ability to stream cable TV. Cable and/or streaming services provide access to campus information, news, weather, select HDTV channels and DVR recording via Stream2. 

The expanded cybersecurity strategy and policies, including an annual awareness campaign  and KnowBe4 security awareness training maximizes Information Systems’ ability to keep the campus community and its assets safe while delivering all the necessary tools and support to ensure successful learning and teaching. 

Students have access to additional computing resources outside the University. The University is a member of:

• The Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), located at the University of Michigan. Membership in ICPSR provides faculty and students with access to a large library of data files, including public opinion surveys, cross-cultural data, financial data, and complete census data.
• EDUCAUSE, a national consortium of colleges and universities concerned with computing issues.
• Eduroam, a global wireless network access service, available on thousands of partner campuses for research and education, accessed using Wake Forest credentials.