Inside Iowa State

May 18, 2006

Tech CYte debuts June 1

Information Technology Services and the University Book Store (UBS) will join forces to launch Tech CYte, a computer and software store, in the Memorial Union. The joint venture moves the computer sales branch of IT Services out of the Durham Center and into remodeled space within the bookstore.

The merging process begins June 1, putting the computer sales at the main entrance of the UBS, adjacent to the existing computer software sales and supplies area. Construction of a new location, at the north end of the UBS, should be completed by the fall of 2007. This location will be at a new north entrance of the UBS and will include a direct entrance from the parking ramp.

The Tech CYte store will house a computer showroom and offer software and other computing amenities. Customers will enjoy a one-stop computing shop in a central location with hours that mirror the UBS, including weekends.

"Pulling all of those elements together seemed to be a great benefit to the campus," said Jim Davis, ISU's chief information officer. "It just made all the sense in the world."

IT Services will continue to house its computer repair center in Durham, but is planning to staff the Tech CYte location, especially during high-traffic periods such as Orientation in June and the opening days of each semester.

Computer hardware and software will be available at Tech CYte, a partnership between ITS and UBS.

"It just made all the sense in the world."

Jim Davis, chief information officer