Desktop Engineering

Desktop Engineering provides the standards, tools, automation, and endpoint management that power university-managed Windows and macOS devices across the University of Chicago.

We design and maintain the systems, policies, and infrastructure behind device imaging, provisioning, software distribution, and security compliance — ensuring endpoints are configured to University standards, kept current, and ready for productive use.

By partnering closely with Desktop Support, we enable a consistent, secure, and efficient computing experience for staff.

Shared Services We Own and Operate

Desktop Engineering owns, operates, and maintains the following enterprise platforms on behalf of the University. For each service, we manage the backend infrastructure, ensure platform health and availability, and establish the organizational structure that allows divisional IT partners to operate within their own scope.

Microsoft Endpoint Manager

Desktop Engineering owns and maintains the centralized instance of Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune + SCCM) that is shared with divisional IT partners across campus. We operate the backend infrastructure, manage platform health, and apply updates and configuration changes to keep the service current and reliable.

We provision and manage organizational units and security groups within the platform so that each divisional IT partner can manage their own devices independently, within the governance boundaries established by central IT Services.

Jamf Pro

Desktop Engineering owns and operates the centralized instance of Jamf Pro that is shared with divisional IT partners across campus. We maintain the back end, manage platform upgrades, and ensure the service is available and performing reliably.

We create and administer organizational sites and groups within Jamf so that divisional IT partners can manage their Mac fleets, deploy policies, and distribute software within their designated scope — without impacting other units.

CrashPlan Endpoint Backup

Desktop Engineering owns and maintains the centralized instance of CrashPlan that is shared with divisional IT partners across campus. We operate the backend service, manage licensing, and ensure backup policies are applied consistently across enrolled endpoints.

We create and maintain organizations within CrashPlan so that divisional IT partners can oversee backup status and restore operations for their users, within their own organizational boundaries.

Partnership with Desktop Support

Desktop Support provides day-to-day technical assistance to end users, including troubleshooting, hardware repair, and hands-on device support. Desktop Engineering focuses on the systems, tools, and infrastructure behind the scenes — building the environments that Desktop Support relies on to deliver a consistent user experience. Together, we deliver a secure, reliable, and responsive endpoint experience to University staff.