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Overview
The Endpoint Lifecycle Program provides eligible Texas State University faculty, staff, and learning environments with reliable, secure, and supported computing devices through a planned replacement cycle. By proactively refreshing aging technology, the university can reduce computer delivery times, improve security and overall serviceability, and provide a more consistent technology experience across campus.
Program Benefits
Standard Computing Equipment
Eligible employees are assigned a primary computer that meets university standards and is supported by Information Technology. Enhanced hardware configurations may be provided when required to meet documented business needs.
Planned Computer Replacement
Computers enrolled in the lifecycle program are tracked and evaluated for replacement based on lifecycle standards. Replacement planning occurs before equipment reaches end of life or experiences hardware failure.
Centralized Lifecycle Funding
Routine replacement of eligible lifecycle computers is centrally funded through the program. Departments are not responsible for identifying replacement funding for standard lifecycle refreshes for eligible employees.
Inventory Management
Information Technology coordinates annual inventory verification for IT-owned lifecycle computers in partnership with assigned employees, departmental technology support staff, and Property Management.
Lifecycle Support
Information Technology manages the lifecycle of enrolled computers, including deployment, warranty support, replacement, and retirement. Departmental technology support staff continue to provide local support, configuration, and maintenance for technology resources within their areas.
Lifecycle Process
Planning
Information Technology uses lifecycle data to identify aging computers, support new employee assignments, and plan for future computing needs.
Computer Assignment
Eligible employees and designated learning environments receive a standard lifecycle computer based on established hardware standards and business requirements.
Support
Information Technology provides hardware and warranty support for computers enrolled in the lifecycle program.
Replacement
When a computer reaches its planned replacement date, Information Technology coordinates the refresh process with the assigned employee and departmental Technology Support Professional (TSP).
Refresh Lifecycle
The following refresh timelines apply to eligible computers provided through the ELP, effective November 2026:
- Standard computers used as a primary device or in an academic lab: approximately six years from the purchase date
- Enhanced computers used as a primary device or in an academic lab: approximately four years from the purchase date
Computers that have reached their initial ELP refresh lifecycle may remain supportable and serviceable. When appropriate, IT may reassign these devices to eligible shared spaces participating in the ELP.
Standard and Enhanced Devices
TXST's standard computer configurations are designed to support the everyday computing needs of most employees and learning environments. By offering a consistent selection of reliable, well-supported computers, IT can simplify purchasing, improve service, and keep technology current across campus.
However, not every position or learning environment has the same requirements. To better support those roles and environments, enhanced standard configurations may be provided when documented job duties, instructional needs, or learning requirements justify additional computing power.
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Standard Computer Models
(intended for most campus use cases)
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Windows
Desktop Tower or Form Factor or 14” Laptop
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macOS
Desktop (Mini) or 14” Laptop
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Intel 7 or AMD Ryzen, or equivalent processor
16-32 GB Memory
512GB Storage
Integrated Graphics
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Apple M processor
16-24 GB Memory
512GB-1TB Storage
Apple Silicon Graphics
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Enhanced Computer Models
(intended for resource intensive use cases)
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Windows
Desktop Tower or 16” Laptop
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macOS
Desktop (Studio) or 16” Laptop
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Intel 9, AMD Ryzen, or equivalent processor
32-64GB Memory
1TB Storage
Discrete Graphics
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Apple M processor
64GB Memory
1TB Storage
Apple Silicon Graphics
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Current Department Computers
Departments may continue using existing computers according to their operational needs. When an eligible employee's primary computer reaches its scheduled replacement date, it will be exchanged through the Endpoint Lifecycle Program.
Computers replaced through the program become part of the university's managed lifecycle. Information Technology coordinates future replacement planning, inventory management, hardware support, and retirement activities for lifecycle-managed devices.
As computers are transitioned into the program over time, departments may have fewer computer replacement purchases to plan and fund, while the university maintains a more current, supportable, and secure computing environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
The Endpoint Lifecycle Program supports most regular faculty and staff whose positions are funded through eligible university funding sources. Eligibility is determined by university funding guidelines, with the program covering the cost of a standard primary computer and its planned replacement. Positions funded through grants, auxiliary operations, or other excluded funding sources are not covered by the program.
I have more than one computer. Will IT replace all of them?
The program is designed to provide one primary computer for each eligible employee, helping ensure consistent technology and support across the university. IT will identify the employee's primary computer using available university data sources. Employees may continue using additional department-owned computers for research, specialized work, or other needs, with those devices remaining the funding responsibility of the department or other appropriate funding source.
I have a new employee starting. What happens?
ITAC works with departments to coordinate computer assignments for incoming employees. The process depends on whether the employee is filling a newly established position or an existing position, and how the position's primary computer was funded.
- Newly established (net-new) position: Eligible new positions receive an standard computer through the Endpoint Lifecycle Program.
- Existing position with a department-funded computer: The department will reassign the previous incumbent's primary computer to the incoming employee. That computer may be eligible for a future lifecycle refresh based on its age, program priorities, and the assigned employees eligibility.
- Existing position with an ELP computer: The previous incumbent's computer is returned to ITAC for evaluation, secure reimaging, and inventory updates. ITAC will coordinate with departmental technical support staff to prepare and assign an appropriate computer to the incoming employee.
This coordinated approach helps ensure new employees have the technology they need while keeping future replacements on track.
What happens when an employee leaves?
When an employee separates from the university or vacates their assigned position number, their computer is returned to ITAC to prepare it for its next assignment. ITAC will ensure the computer is securely reimaged, inventory records are updated, and the next employee completes an ELP device assignment agreement. Whenever appropriate, the same computer may be assigned to the incoming employee, helping make the transition as smooth as possible.
Who handles annual inventory?
IT manages annual inventory requirements for IT-owned lifecycle computers with assistance from departments and the employees assigned a lifecycle device. Departments remain responsible for inventory requirements for their legacy department-owned computers.
What happens if my computer fails?
ITAC is here to help get you back up and running as quickly as possible! In most cases, a compatible replacement computer can be provided from on-hand inventory within one to two business days. If you prefer to have your computer repaired, ITAC will coordinate warranty service and provide a loaner device if one is available. Repair times depend on vendor approval and parts availability and may exceed five business days.
To make either option easier, IT recommends storing your files in approved university cloud storage, so they remain accessible when transitioning to another computer.
Will a replacement always be available?
IT will maintain an inventory of standard computers to support scheduled refreshes, new employees, and unexpected hardware failures. This approach helps reduce ordering and delivery delays so employees can get the technology they need sooner. Availability may vary based on demand, specialized configurations, and manufacturer supply conditions.
Are peripherals included?
The program provides a complete workstation setup for eligible net-new employees. Desktop setups include one monitor, one wired keyboard, and one wired mouse. Laptops include their built-in display, keyboard, and trackpad; external peripherals are not included.
For scheduled lifecycle refreshes and replacement employees, only the computer is replaced. Existing standard monitors, keyboards, and mice remain in service as long as they are functional. If one of these peripherals fails and cannot be repaired, IT will provide a replacement.
Additional or specialized peripherals, including extra monitors, wireless keyboards and mice, docking stations, and other optional accessories, remain the funding responsibility of the department.
Why are OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, and Google Drive important?
Using approved cloud storage, such as OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, or Google Drive, helps keep university files accessible when computers are replaced or serviced. This makes transitioning to another computer faster, easier, and reduces the risk of losing files stored only on the original device.
Employees are encouraged to enable OneDrive automatic synchronization and should verify that important files are fully synced to an approved cloud storage location before their computer is replaced or serviced.