The Office of Technology Services (OTS) provides annual licensing for both SPSS and SAS statistical software. SPSS is provided at no charge to all computers on campus or on Virtual Workspace. SAS licensing is provided at a discounted price through the university, see details below.

SPSS

Predictive Analytics Software

Note that SPSS has changed their name from SPSS to PASW and in 2010 it was changed back to SPSS again. The two names are synonymous with the each other, for details, see:

http://www-01.ibm.com/software/analytics/spss/support/custcenter.html

1.  What is SPSS?

SPSS is a data management and analysis software package. It can perform a variety of data analysis and presentation functions, including statistical analyses and graphical presentation of data. The university license includes the following SPSS modules: Base, Regression, Advanced, Categories, Conjoint, Tables, and Trends.   More information about SPSS can be found at http://www.spss.com.

2.  How is SPSS Licensed?

Towson University purchases an enterprise network license for SPSS. Licenses are automatically distributed, maintained, and installed over the campus network to university Windows computers that are plugged into the TowsonU network. SPSS licenses are automatically renewed each year on July 31.

IMPORTANT:

• SPSS will not run without a valid license.

 

• To run or install SPSS, a computer must be plugged into the wired campus network to receive a license (wireless connections will not work).

 

• Laptop computers can use the Commuter License option, for details see the How can I use SPSS on laptop computers section below.
  
  

SPSS License Upgrade Cycle at the University

SPSS enterprise licensing policy permits two consecutive SPSS versions to run on the campus at one time, e.g. version 17 and 18. To accommodate the licensing policy, SPSS versions will be upgraded on a yearly cycle for computers and a two year cycle on Virtual Workspace as follows.

Every year, at the conclusion of the spring semester, the oldest running version of SPSS is replaced by the latest  version. For example: computers running version 17 will need to upgraded to one of the available versions, 18 or 19. Version 17 will no longer run because it is no longer licensed. The following summer, version 18 will be replaced and versions 19 and 20 will be the available licensed versions; this cycle repeats each year..

Virtual Workspace has a two-year cycle.  Every other year, at the conclusion of spring semester, SPSS is upgraded to the latest version.  For example: at the conclusion of spring semester, SPSS version 17 will be replaced by version 19 on Virtual Workspace.  Two years later, SPSS version 19 will be replaced by version 21; this cycle repeats every two years. The reason for this two year cycle is that computer lab managers generally install the same SPSS version that is on Virtual Workspace and the managers preferred not to be forced to install a new version of SPSS every year.

Note: it is possible to install two versions of SPSS on a computer but SPSS does not recommend this practice because conflicts can occur when two versions are running on the same computer.

3.  SPSS Name Changed Back to SPSS in July 2010

 

When IBM purchased SPSS in 2010, they changed the PASW name back to SPSS

4.  How can I get SPSS?

SPSS is available two ways:

1. SPSS is installed and available to faculty, staff, and students on
   Virtual Workspace. Every other year the SPSS version is upgraded to a newer version.
   
   Macintosh computers can access SPSS on Virtual Workspace.
   
   
2. SPSS is available for faculty and staff (not students) to install on university-owned Windows computers; for details, see the SPSS Installation section below.

5.  How do I install SPSS?

SPSS is available to install and run on faculty and staff university-owned Windows desktop and laptop computers that are plugged into the TowsonU network (wireless connections will not work). To install SPSS on desktop and laptop computers follow the instructions below.

1. IMPORTANT: First, copy all old SPSS data files and output files that you have created to a safe location such as your H:\ drive, My documents, CDs, etc. so that you can access the files after installing a new version of SPSS. SPSS overwrites files when installed and your old SPSS files will be lost.
   
   
2. Uninstall old versions of SPSS on the Windows computer by going to the OTS Software Distribution web site and follow the: Instructions on how to install an Advertised Package on your computer.
   
   To unistall old versions on your computer, select the appropriate uninstall package in Run Advertised Programs, e.g. SPSS (PASW)17.02 - SPSS PASW 17.02 Uninstall.  If an uninstall package does not exist for your old SPSS version, you will need to obtain Administrator rights on your computer; contact the Faculty/Staff Help Center at 410-704-5151, select menu options 2+2+2 to obtain temporary administrator rights, and unistall the old version.
   
   
3. Install SPSS by following the: Instructions on how to install an Advertised Package on your computer in step 2 above and select the appropriate installation package in Run Advertised Programs from the table below.

 

Note: Only the SPSS advertised packages listed below are licensed and can be installed on campus computers from Run Advertised Programs.

Date Released	Advertised Package	Notes
9/12/09	SPSS (PASW) 17.02 - SPSS (PASW) 17.03 Update	Installs PASW v. 17.03 License expires: 7/31/11
3/10/10	SPSS (PASW) 18 - SPSS (PASW) 18	Installs PASW v. 18 License expires: 7/31/12
3/10/11	SPSS 19 - SPSS 19	Installs PASW v. 19 License expires: 7/31/13

If the installation packages above do not appear in Run Advertised Programs on your computer; or you have questions regarding the SPSS installation, contact: the Faculty/Staff Help Center at 410-704-5151, select menu options 2+2+2 or fill out a web support request form.

 

5.  How can I use SPSS on laptop computers?

If  you will be running SPSS when not plugged into the campus network (at home, traveling, etc.), a Commuter License is required to run SPSS. The SPSS university enterprise version must be installed on your laptop (see installation instructions above) for the Commuter License to work. This license will reside on your laptop and allow access to SPSS for the time period granted. The Commuter License is only available to university-owned Windows laptops.

For instructions on installing a Commuter License, see: Installing SPSS Commuter License on Laptops

If you want to run SPSS on your personal laptop you can either access it on

Virtual Workspace or you will need to contact SPSS Inc. to purchase it.

6.  How do I obtain assistance with the SPSS application?

SPSS provides assistance for applications on their web site below. Browse to the SPSS Student Resource Center; this site has free video tutorials, suggested books, and links to a iTunesU statistics courses.

http://www.spss.com/academic/student/index.htm

Online training can be purchased by any department using a p-card; contact SPSS, Inc. for information.  The university does not provide SPSS training.

 

7.  How can I use SPSS at Home?

SPSS is available on Virtual Workspace which allows you to use the software anywhere and anytime from the web. The university enterprise version of SPSS cannot be installed on home computers due to the network licensing requirements.  To install SPSS on a home computer, it would have to be purchased directly from SPSS,.Inc.

 

SAS

1.  What is SAS?

SAS is a scalable, integrated software environment that is specially designed for data access, transformation, and reporting. License cost:  $75.

2.  How is SAS Installed?

If you would like to have the SAS installed, please contact the Faculty/Staff Help Center at 410-704-5151, option 2+2+2 or fill out a web support request form.

You will need to provide the following information.

Names of the individuals who will be using the software

Quantity of licenses

Budget code to which the license(s) for that year should be charged

The computer name of each machine requiring an SAS installation

Location of each computer

Operating system on each computer (e.g., Windows XP or Windows Vista)

Your request will be logged and a budget transfer will be initiated and the software will be installed.

If you have questions about SPSS or SAS, please contact the Faculty/Staff Help Center at 410-704-5151, select menu options 2+2+2 or fill out a web support request form.