Technology at MSU
Technology at MSU (MSU Information Technology) is the centralized IT department of Michigan State University, providing technology services, infrastructure, and support to more than 50,000 students and 12,000 faculty and staff across 545 buildings. It is funded institutionally and delivers no-cost services via a service desk, Tech Store, and Federated IT partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1855
- HeadquartersEast Lansing, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Technology at MSU does
Technology at MSU, also known as MSU Information Technology (MSU IT), is the centralized IT department of Michigan State University, a public land-grant institution founded in 1855. The department delivers technology services to the MSU community of more than 50,000 students, 5,300 faculty and academic staff, and 6,800 support staff, supported by 5,001-10,000 IT employees and a footprint spanning 545 buildings. Its portfolio is organized around a platform-plus-modules architecture: core platforms include D2L Brightspace (LMS), Spartan 365 (Microsoft Office 365), Google Workspace for Education, Zoom with AI Companion, and the Identity and Access Management program supporting over 600,000 users; teaching and learning modules include SpartansLearn training, Kaltura MediaSpace, Spartan Ally accessibility, and 25Live scheduling with 3D classroom tours; research modules include the CMMC Level 2-certified Regulated Research Enclave built on Microsoft GCCH with Planet Technologies, high-performance computing, and geospatial services; and infrastructure modules cover wired/wireless networks (6,050 access points, eduroam), Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, FlexHub centralized inventory, and the Effortless PC standardized workstation program.
The business model is institutional rather than commercial: MSU IT is funded through Michigan State University's institutional budget, and services are provided at no direct charge to students, faculty, and staff. The go-to-market is community-led, delivered through a 24/7 service desk, in-person Tech Bars, the MSU Tech Store, self-service portals, on-site classroom support via satellite offices, and a Federated IT Partnership model that embeds dedicated IT staff into more than ten colleges and units (Broad College, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, College of Law, College of Natural Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, IPF, Athletics, Health Services, Student Life, University Advancement). Revenue mechanics are entirely intra-institutional; no external customer revenue, ARR, or commercial pricing is disclosed. Recent strategic priorities include achieving CMMC Level 2 certification ahead of federal deadlines, deploying a portfolio of generative AI tools (Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, NotebookLM, ChatGPT EDU), modernizing campus network infrastructure, and centralizing IT inventory through the FlexHub model.
Technology at MSU firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Technology at MSU
- Legal name
- Michigan State University
- Website
- https://tech.msu.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1855
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Technology at MSU (MSU Information Technology) is the centralized IT department of Michigan State University, providing technology services, infrastructure, and support to more than 50,000 students and 12,000 faculty and staff across 545 buildings. It is funded institutionally and delivers no-cost services via a service desk, Tech Store, and Federated IT partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Technology at MSU industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education IT Services
- NAICS
- Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- IT Managed Services for Campus Operations (Service Desk, Endpoint, Network Ops) (EDAEALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Managed IT Services & On‑Site Field Support (Helpdesk, Break/Fix, IMAC) (EDAEAHAJ), ITSM Managed Services (Run/Operate/Optimize) (BPAEAJAN), Learning Management Systems (LMS) & Academic Application Support (EDALAMAC)
Keywords
Where Technology at MSU is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- East Lansing
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Technology at MSU business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Institutional Funding: MSU IT is funded through Michigan State University's institutional budget as the primary leadership for strategic, financial, and policy initiatives affecting IT across the university. Services are provided to students, faculty, and staff at no direct charge.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free technology training for MSU community |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Technology at MSU product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Technology at MSU is the centralized Information Technology department of Michigan State University that delivers enterprise IT services to more than 50,000 students, 5,300 faculty, and 6,800 staff across 545 campus buildings. Core offerings include a 24/7 IT service desk, the MSU Tech Store, the Effortless PC workstation program, the D2L Brightspace learning management system, Spartan 365 (Microsoft 365), Zoom with AI Companion, and a CMMC Level 2 certified Regulated Research Enclave. The department also operates campus-wide wired and wireless networking, Identity and Access Management for over 600,000 users, classroom technology support, research computing, digital accessibility services, and a FlexHub centralized IT inventory warehouse.
Product overview
Technology at MSU (MSU Information Technology) provides a comprehensive portfolio of IT services organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core services include the MSU IT Service Desk, MSU Tech Store, and Effortless PC workstation program. The teaching and learning ecosystem centers on D2L Brightspace LMS, Spartan 365 (Microsoft Office 365), Zoom with AI Companion, and SpartansLearn training platform. Research support encompasses High Performance Computing, Research Security Enclave (CMMC Level 2 certified), and geospatial services. Infrastructure services include campus-wide network (wired/wireless), Identity and Access Management modernization, and cloud-based Virtual Desktop. Additional services cover digital accessibility, web services, server/storage, classroom technology, and AI tools including ChatGPT EDU, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini. The portfolio also includes specialized systems like 25Live scheduling with 3D tours, FlexHub inventory management, and ElevateU professional development. Most services are provided at no cost to students, faculty, and staff as part of central university IT funding.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Spartan 365: Microsoft Office 365 suite available to students, faculty, and staff
- Spartan Mail
- SpartansLearn
- SecureIT
- Effortless PC
- MSU Tech Store
- FlexHub
Products and services
- MSU IT Service Desk Centralized first-line technology support service for MSU students, faculty, and staff, delivered by phone (517-432-6200), toll-free (844-678-6200), online portal at ithelp.msu.edu, and in-person at the MSU Tech Store.
- MSU Tech Store Physical and online retail store at 450 Auditorium Road providing computers, software, and accessories to MSU students, faculty, staff, and departments at educational-discount pricing.
- Effortless PC Standardized menu of Dell and Apple workstation options for MSU staff and faculty that reduces deployment time, lowers costs, and increases data security through consistent configurations.
- SpartansLearn MSU's learning and development platform for technology training offering live instructor-led courses, on-demand recordings, microlearning videos, and access to Microsoft, Adobe, and LinkedIn Learning content, provided at no cost to the MSU community.
- FlexHub Centralized IT inventory and warehouse management model operated from the Angell Building in partnership with MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities and University Stores and Logistics, recognized with the 2025 Innovation Award from the University Logistics and Supply Chain Association.
- Regulated Research Enclave (RRE) Cloud-based secure research environment hosted on Microsoft GCCH that meets federal cybersecurity requirements for handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), enabling MSU to compete for and execute Department of Defense-funded research.
- 25Live Room Scheduling with 3D Tours Campus room-scheduling system enhanced with interactive 3D classroom tours that let instructors explore room layouts, available technology, and instructional resources before booking classrooms and labs.
- Network Services Comprehensive campus-wide networking service spanning wired and wireless networks, eduroam Wi-Fi, MSUnet Guest access, VPN, DHCP, DNS, and network security services delivered across 545 buildings.
- Identity and Access Management (IAM) Multi-year Identity and Access Management modernization program delivering over 600,000 Spartans with timely, accurate, and appropriate access to university resources through account creation, password management, and role-based access controls.
- Digital Accessibility Support Comprehensive accessibility services including web accessibility consultation, course accessibility review, Spartan Ally D2L plugin, captioning services, and accessibility training for educators and content owners.
- Classroom Technology Support Media equipment, technical assistance, and classroom support for regularly scheduled classes, computer labs, commencement, and special events with on-site assistance from satellite offices at Berkey Hall and Wells Hall.
- AI Tools Portal (tech.msu.edu/ai) Centralized AI tools portal integrating ChatGPT EDU, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and NotebookLM with guidance, security, and data privacy controls for the MSU community across teaching, learning, and work use cases.
- Research Technology and Collaboration Services Comprehensive research support service covering data management, geospatial services (GIS, GPS, remote sensing, UAS), high-performance computing, research cloud, and pre-award grant support for MSU researchers.
Companies that use Technology at MSU
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Technology at MSU technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration24 records
AI capability10 records
Feature3 records
Technology at MSU partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ApplecoreApple partnered with Michigan State University to establish the Apple Manufacturing Academy, providing training and consultancy for small and medium-sized businesses in the US. The program offers free training and technical support including assistance with automation and machine vision systems to help improve manufacturing processes.
- Center for Teaching and Learning InnovationminorMSU IT collaborates with the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation on projects to improve the undergraduate digital learning experience and advance tools and platforms that support career-connected learning experiences.
- Office of the ProvostminorMSU IT collaborates with the Office of the Provost on projects to improve the undergraduate digital learning experience and tools that support career-connected learning.
- Broad College of BusinesscoreCo-sponsor of the AT&T Excellence in Teaching with Technology Awards along with College of Education and MSU IT.
- MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF)coreMSU IT partnered with IPF and University Stores and Logistics to create FlexHub, a centralized inventory and warehouse model. IPF warehouse services manages the facility while MSU IT staff access equipment nearby in the Angell Building.
- University Stores and LogisticscorePartnership among MSU IT, IPF, and University Stores and Logistics created FlexHub for centralized IT inventory management. University Stores and Logistics provides inventory management expertise.
- Planet TechnologiescoreThird-party partner that helped build the Regulated Research Enclave as a secure, cloud-based environment designed specifically to meet federal cybersecurity requirements for CUI. The RRE was developed with Planet Technologies as a key implementation partner.
- MSU Office of Research and InnovationcoreIn Fall 2021, MSU's Office of Research and Innovation partnered with MSU IT's Information Security and Research Cyberinfrastructure teams to assess how the university supports research involving regulated research, leading to the creation of the Regulated Research Enclave.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Technology at MSU competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ohio State University Office of Technology and Digital Innovation: Central IT function for Ohio State University, a peer Big Ten institution. Delivers comparable service desk, classroom technology, research computing, and university-wide IT governance to a similar-scale community.
- University of Michigan Information and Technology Services (ITS): Central IT organization for the University of Michigan, another Big Ten research university. Operates the same model of enterprise IT services (service desk, LMS support, research computing, identity management) for a comparable population of students, faculty, and staff.
- University of Minnesota Office of Information Technology (OIT): Central IT function for the University of Minnesota, a Big Ten peer. Provides a similar mix of service desk, network, research computing, classroom technology, and enterprise application services to a comparable academic community.
- Stanford University IT (UIT): University IT organization for Stanford University, a major research institution. While private, it operates the same model of centralized enterprise IT supporting research, teaching, and administrative functions for a large academic population.
- Penn State Information Technology: Central IT organization for Penn State University, a large public research university. Comparable in delivering service desk, learning management, network, and research computing services across multiple campuses and Commonwealth campuses.
- MIT Information Systems and Technology (IS&T): Central IT organization for MIT, a leading research university. Delivers comparable enterprise IT services including identity management, research computing, classroom technology, and AI tooling to a research-intensive academic community.
- University of Illinois Technology Services: IT organization for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a top-tier public research university. Delivers enterprise IT, research cyberinfrastructure, classroom technology, and identity services at a similar scale and academic profile to MSU IT.
- Indiana University University Information Technology Services (UITS): Centralized IT organization for Indiana University, a comparable Big Ten academic IT provider. Operates a federated service model, supports research cyberinfrastructure, and delivers enterprise identity and learning management services across multiple campuses.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Information Technology (DoIT): Central IT division for UW-Madison, another Big Ten research university. Provides a directly comparable portfolio: service desk, network infrastructure, research computing, classroom technology, and identity/access management for tens of thousands of users.
Others
- Planet Technologies: Microsoft-focused IT services and CMMC implementation partner that co-built MSU's Regulated Research Enclave. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant that delivers managed IT and compliance services to federal and higher-ed clients, and a direct implementation partner in the RRE.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Technology at MSU social profiles
Digital presenceTechnology at MSU compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Technology at MSU financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Technology at MSU leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Technology at MSU funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Technology at MSU M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Technology at MSU
What does Technology at MSU do?
Technology at MSU is the centralized Information Technology department of Michigan State University that delivers enterprise IT services to more than 50,000 students, 5,300 faculty, and 6,800 staff across 545 campus buildings. Core offerings include a 24/7 IT service desk, the MSU Tech Store, the Effortless PC workstation program, the D2L Brightspace learning management system, Spartan 365 (Microsoft 365), Zoom with AI Companion, and a CMMC Level 2 certified Regulated Research Enclave. The department also operates campus-wide wired and wireless networking, Identity and Access Management for over 600,000 users, classroom technology support, research computing, digital accessibility services, and a FlexHub centralized IT inventory warehouse.
Is Technology at MSU a public or private company?
Technology at MSU is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Technology at MSU founded?
Technology at MSU was founded in 1855. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Technology at MSU based?
Technology at MSU is headquartered in East Lansing, United States, in the North America region.
How does Technology at MSU make money?
One revenue line is on record: institutional Funding.
Who are Technology at MSU's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ohio State University Office of Technology and Digital Innovation, University of Michigan Information and Technology Services (ITS), University of Minnesota Office of Information Technology (OIT), Stanford University IT (UIT), Penn State Information Technology, MIT Information Systems and Technology (IS&T), University of Illinois Technology Services, Indiana University University Information Technology Services (UITS) and University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Information Technology (DoIT). Planet Technologies is listed as an others.
Does Technology at MSU have an API?
No public API is recorded for Technology at MSU.
What industry is Technology at MSU in?
Technology at MSU's product category is Higher Education IT Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEALAE, IT Managed Services for Campus Operations (Service Desk, Endpoint, Network Ops), with a secondary code of EDAEAHAJ, Managed IT Services & On‑Site Field Support (Helpdesk, Break/Fix, IMAC). Its NAICS code is 541513 and its SIC code is 7373.