Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) gives our campus community access to a full campus computer at any time and anywhere. Instead of needing to be in a computer lab or office, VDI allows you to log into a virtual desktop with the same software, systems, and tools you鈥檇 use on campus.

At 麻豆传媒在线, VDI is powered by Omnissa Horizon (formerly VMware Horizon), a virtual desktop and software delivery platform that lets you access applications without installing them on your personal device.

What is Omnissa Horizon?

Omnissa Horizon is a virtual environment that provides access to campus desktop and applications through the internet. This means:

• No need to download or install software locally
• Access to 麻豆传媒在线 applications from any device
• A secure, centralized desktop experience

A full list of available applications can be found in the Deployed Software section within the platform.

Why Use VDI?

VDI is useful for 麻豆传媒在线 users who need:

• Access to 麻豆传媒在线 software from off-campus
• A consistent desktop experience across devices
• A secure environment for sensitive data and work
• Flexibility to teach, learn, or work from anywhere

How to Access VDI (Omnissa Horizon)

Getting started is simple:

• Go to
• Enter your NetID (example: smithj/smithj1) and password
• Complete Duo MFA request
• Once logged in, you鈥檒l see the Omnissa Horizon dashboard
• Select 鈥淎pps鈥� section to view available virtual desktops
• Click on corresponding desktop icon (Student/Faculty/Staff)

• Wait for desktop to launch and fully load

Once launched, your virtual desktop will function just like a campus computer.

Accessing VDI on Different Devices

Desktop or Laptop

You can access VDI through your web browser.

Best for:

• Teaching, administrative work, and coursework
• Running specialized or high-performance software
• Multitasking with multiple applications

Mobile Devices (Phone or Tablet)

VDI is also accessible on mobile devices using a compatible app or browser.

What to expect:

• Touch-based navigation (tap, zoom, scroll)
• Best for quick access or reviewing files
• Not ideal for long sessions or complex workflows

Tips for a Smooth Experience

• Use a strong and stable internet connection
• Keep your Duo Mobile app updated
• Use a modern browser (Chrome, Edge, or Safari)
• Log out when finished, especially on shared devices

Need Help?

If you experience issues accessing VDI (Omnissa Horizon), contact the IT Service Desk.

As part of this transition, the Division of Information Technology recommends planning for device upgrades or replacements during the current fiscal year. For department-purchased secondary, grant-funded, or start-up-funded devices capable of running Windows 11, contact your department鈥檚 IT support to upgrade them. For older hardware purchased outside of the Computer Lifecycle Replacement Program that does not meet Windows 11 requirements, replacement will be the most secure and sustainable option. Departments are encouraged to review their device inventories and budget for new hardware to ensure compliance. Early planning will help avoid last-minute disruptions and ensure continued access to supported, secure technology across campus.

To our Campus Community,

麻豆传媒在线 is adopting Google Drive and Forms as our standard for secure file sharing and collaboration. File Hawk will no longer be available and there will be no access to existing files.

What To Do Next?

• Review instructions for file sharing and creating file upload forms and folders for departments Secure File Transfer – Google Drive.
• Seek Assistance: Have questions or need help? Reach out to the Service Desk at itservicedesk@montclair.edu or call 973-655-7971, option 1

Thank you for your cooperation and support while we make this shift.

For departments actively using the fax line, please be aware that the monthly cost will increase to $25. While this may result in higher expenses for some regions, the new system aims to lower the University’s costs by reducing toner usage, repair expenses, and paper waste. Additionally, it will enhance efficiency by swiftly and securely delivering faxes, thereby decreasing the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information. The cloud-based solution, operated via an application, presents a great opportunity for some departments to evaluate the current number of fax numbers in areas.

A member of Voice Operations (VOX) has started sending out individual emails to the fiscal agent of each affected fax line, which will contain the fax line in question.

Learn more about our cloud faxing solution, .

In our continuing efforts to improve the security of our client machines, and to streamline our processes, Information Technology will be discontinuing the use of Sophos Anti-Virus on all University-owned machines. Instead, we will be adopting Microsoft Defender AV, which will automatically be distributed across all University-owned Windows, Macs, and Servers throughout the campus. The migration from Sophos to Microsoft Defender AV will take place on two separate days, depending on the operating systems. Upgrades to servers are being done on a separate schedule.

For computers running on Windows, the migration will take place on Monday, August 11th – Complete
For computers running on Mac OSX, the migration will take place on Tuesday, September 12th.

You do not need to take any action as this migration will be performed automatically and should not disrupt your work. However, we encourage you to reboot your computers daily, and we kindly ask that you perform a reboot at the end of the day.

Thank you for your cooperation.

These emails have been sent from multiple Gmail accounts as well as accounts from other establishments and compromised university accounts. The attackers have also spoofed our @montclair.edu domain so that messages appear to look legitimate. The attacker imitates a 麻豆传媒在线 faculty/staff member each time asking to communicate further via a personal email address or text message in order to hide their tracks.

Example of this phishing email:

Please be on the lookout for any emails that reflect this description. In the event you are unsure if something is legitimate, you should always contact the department directly before proceeding. When doing so, be sure to use the information found on our 麻豆传媒在线 website, do not use any information provided in an email.聽

If you or anyone you know has fallen for this scam or similar, please change your password via the immediately and discontinue any communication with this attacker. If you have provided any personal information or money, please contact the University Police for further assistance.聽

Should you receive an email similar to this and have not interacted with the attacker, please report the phishing attempt via Gmail by viewing the message and clicking the three(3) vertical dots, and clicking 鈥淩eport phishing鈥�.

聽For more information about phishing or any other security information, please visit the Information Security webpage.

From the self-service portal, you will be able to do the following:

• Submit an incident to Information Technology, local academic technology teams, Human Resources, Finance and Treasury, and Red Hawk Central (Please do not submit multiple tickets for the same request)

• Utilize our Service Catalogs for requests for access to applications like Banner or request new equipment

• Check your equipment status and request new/replacement assets

• Find items on our knowledge base

• Request audio-visual or computer loaner equipment

Here鈥檚 an image of how the new landing page will look.聽 We鈥檙e hoping that this new interface will provide a better user experience while improving service response times.

Programs Included

Programs included are: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Other programs are available for offline and online use to best prepare you for classes, too. As long as you鈥檙e a student here and the program continues, you鈥檒l be able to use this software for聽FREE!

Get The Details

• Install on up to five compatible PCs and Mac鈥檚, plus five tablets.
• Use with OneDrive for automatic device syncing.
• Use the same programs as your professors to ensure full file fidelity.

Get Microsoft Office Today!

Please Note:聽You will need to use your聽NetID聽and then聽@montclair.edu聽address. Example: rocky@montclair.edu.

For PC and Mac:

1. Visit the聽
2. Click through to sign in with your school provided credentials
3. Download
4. On the installation page, select your language
5. Install

For iOS and Android聽

1. Download from your app store for iPad, iPhone or Android
2. Sign in with your school credentials for full editing capability

You will need 麻豆传媒在线 email address to sign in.

Having Trouble Installing?

If you have trouble installing Office, view the聽听驳耻颈诲别.

• You can find the step-by-step instructions here.

What is the Computer LifeCycle Replacement Program?

In order to ensure that University personnel have access to the current computing technology required to fulfill the responsibilities of their jobs, the 鈥�Computer Lifecycle Replacement Program鈥� was instituted in 2003. The program provides for scheduled replacement of computers for full-time faculty, full-time staff, and specified computing laboratory facilities every 60 months. These requests are considered computers that are assigned as primary computers to the user and are not grant-funded, start-up,聽 or departmental computers.

Are there specific computers that I can choose from?

Yes, the University has standardized on a specific PC Laptop configuration that has been reviewed and approved by the Computer Lifecycle Committee. The program allows for a user to select from other non-standard configurations but in order to be considered, a valid justification that states the business case for a non-standard config must be submitted for approval.