Standards for computing equipment purchases

A message from the Director, IT Service Excellence, Tim Jenkins:

We would like to improve IT service and support for you, by adopting a list of standard workstation equipment. The advantages to you include:

Faster resolution of support requests - analysts will be able to troubleshoot and resolve support requests faster due to familiarity with standard equipment.

Quicker purchases - we will be able to reduce delivery times by having our vendors maintain inventory on hand. They are willing and able to do this if we adopt a list of standards.

Quick replacements of failed machines - we will be able to keep an inventory of replacement machines on hand.

Compatibility - purchasing from a standards list will ensure connectivity and compatibility. This includes, for example, compatibility with classroom and meeting room presentation equipment.

Reduced support costs - reducing the variety of hardware we have to support will decrease support costs. That gives us options for better support in other areas.

All of this can be achieved without compromising your computing needs. The standards have been developed to satisfy most of the University community’s needs. We encourage and strongly recommend using standard devices, but we also recognize that the University community is diverse and a few situations are unique. However, these should be only a small number of cases. 

The standard list includes options for laptops, desktops, and peripherals. Specific models and recommendations will be updated as technology and pricing changes, and as we receive feedback from the university community, and from vendors. New devices should be purchased from this list unless there is a compelling business need for a different configuration.

In the case of devices for research, IST’s Advanced Research Computing group is available for consultation on configuration and purchasing options.

Thank you for your support and participation in this initiative. If you have suggestions, concerns or questions regarding this policy, please contact me directly.

Tim Jenkins