The Condor Pool is a high-throughput computing (HTC) resource freely available to all researchers at the University of Manchester. The pool largely comprises of many of the PCs around campus located in teaching clusters. At night and at weekends, these are rebooted into Linux and used to run large numbers of computational jobs.

Last year, we held workshops to gather input on spending Research Lifecycle Programme (RLP) funds on developing our computational resources on a year-by-year basis.

We are already looking ahead to next year, and feedback from our research community is important in making sure we have the right resources in place for the future.

Research IT's vDAL (Visualization and Data Analysis Laboratory), isn't only a place for exploring different realities with your research with VR, but a way to test out graphically intensive research.

If you previously used N8 HPC or any of the Tier 2 resources then UKRI would like to hear from you! UKRI currently have a survey available to users of EPSRC’s investments in HPC over the last decade including both users of the funded hardware and also beneficiaries of any HPC associated software investments (such as for training or software development).

Come along to the Research IT club on the 4th of April to find out more about our new mobile application development service. If you want to use mobile apps in your research or are interested in having an app developed as part of a research grant application, then this is the Research IT Club for you!

IT Services has renewed the University's Cyber Essentials compliance. The current certification lasts until February 2020, and will be assessed/renewed on an annual basis.

Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed, industry-supported scheme to help ensure organisations are protected against common online threats.

Want to speak to someone about incorporating Research IT services into your research? Got an issue with a piece of software or code? Want to speak to someone about using our new data viz lab? Come along to a drop-in session and speak to members of the Research IT team face to face!

The Institute of Coding (IoC) is a Government initiative involving universities, industry and professionals which aims to address the UK digital skills shortage. One of the key aims of the project is to improve the quality and relevance of digital skills education delivered by UK universities.

It was great to see such a good turnout for the February Research IT club - thank you to everyone who came along! If you were unable to attend all the presentations are now available at the links below. There are updates on research IT infrastructure and software engineering and applications support as well as the presentations on our new Visualization And Data Analysis Laboratory (vDAL) and the launch of a new university wide service – Digital Image Viewer.

From the 6^th of February 2019 the way in which Research Data Storage (RDS) is provisioned and charged for is changing. It’s important that all researchers and, in particular, Project PIs are aware of this change.

The new researcher-led organising committee for the UoM UK Biobank Community have announced that the second meeting of the UoM UK Biobank Community will take place on the 28th of Feb.

Did you know that you have to cost for Research IT services before you submit your research grant applications? These services and costs are highly dependent on the nature of your research so it’s important that you get them right. Come along to our Research IT Costing Clinic on the 21st Feb and find out more!