Proposal: Review and Renew Administrative Computer Standards at the University of Connecticut

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Proposal Review and Renew Administrative
Computer Standards at the University of
Connecticut
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Computer Standardization

• Goal To effectively manage computer resources
• Cost effective
• Meets the needs of the University
• Consider Total Cost of Ownership of computers

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Total Cost of Ownership

• Initial cost of computer, warranty, software
• Downtime (hardware or software failure)
• Loss of productivity
• Business Inefficiencies
• Training
• Users
• Technical Staff

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Administrative Computer Standards

• Included
• Faculty
• Staff
• Student computer labs
• High Technology Classrooms

• Not Included
• Research equipment
• Student computers
• Student laptop programs
• Evaluation equipment

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Administrative Computer Standards

• Included
• Apple Computers
• Windows Computers
• Desktops, Laptops, Tablet PCs

• Not Included
• Linux-Based Systems

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Current Environment - HuskyPC

• Standards program in place for approximately 10
  years
• To address rising cost of computer support
• Standards exist for Windows computers
• Standards currently being developed for Apple
  computers

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Why Now?

• Initially, standard HuskyPC computers were
  mandatory
• Faculty
• Staff
• Computer Labs
• Today frequent exceptions are made
• Current contract with Dell expires on June 30,
  2007
• Apple HuskyPC is about to debut

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Why Computer Standardization?

• It is important to consider the Total Cost of
  Ownership (TCO) when purchasing computers
• Standardization has been shown to reduce TCO in
  environments similar to UConn
• From the Universitys standpoint standardizing on
  a specific configuration\manufacturer has helped
• Reduce downtime
• Promote overall efficiency
• Negotiate for best overall pricing
• Secure an ongoing support structure.

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Why Computer Standardization?

• Security Efficiency Computers are equipped
  with software and operating system configurations
  which keep them safe and operable, minimizing
  downtime from viruses and other intrusions
• Pricing A single vendor\manufacturer affords the
  University economies of scale in purchasing
  computer equipment
• Cost Hardware warranties ensure the usable life
  of the computer is preserved at a minimum expense
  to the University, including a minimum downtime

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Why Computer Standardization?

• Support Efficiency Allows for consistency in
  computer troubleshooting and repair
• Hardware and application problems are more
  efficiently diagnosed and repaired in a familiar
  environment (each vendor has their respective
  design and parts)
• Easy and efficient to refresh the computer using
  a computer image, if necessary
• Support Efficiency Using a master computer
  contract, support typically includes an escalated
  call resolution model separate and apart from
  other support channels resulting in faster
  turnaround time

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Why Computer Standardization?

• Productivity Increased productivity due to the
  interoperability of standardized systems
• Productivity Increased productivity due to the
  testing and verification process which guarantees
  operability with business systems
• Network Compatibility Tested and guaranteed to
  work on UConns network

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Recommendation

• Re-establish and reinforce computer standards for
  administrative computing
• Goal Effectively managing computer resources in
  a manner that is both cost effective and meets
  the needs of the University
• Approval of Software License Group
• Approval of IT Planning Committee
• Approval of IT Steering Group

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Moving Forward

• Define standard computers for both Apple and
  Windows platform
• Through the Software License Group, investigate
  the current HuskyPC standards and expand, as
  applicable, to meet the needs of the University
• Faculty (teaching, liberal arts,
  engineer\technical, etc.)
• Staff (administrative, general, technical, etc.)
• Student computer labs and High Technology
  Classrooms

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Moving Forward

• Establish a periodic review of the HuskyPC
  offering to ensure that it continues to meet the
  Universitys needs
• Establish a policy whereby all administrative
  computers purchased must be standard computers
• With no central support for non-standard
  computers

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Moving Forward

• Establish a policy whereby all computers must be
  equipped with a minimum three year warranty
• Dell extended warranty - 80.90 (4 years),
  117.26 (5 years)
• Apple extended warranty 300.00 (4 years),
  400.00 (5 years)
• Communication from the COO and Provost to the
  University population regarding the standards,
  policies and expectations for computer purchases

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Questions

• Questions and Answers

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Resources

• Full Proposal document
• http//software.uconn.edu/pcstandards.pdf
• Studies, whitepapers, and other web resources
• http//www.state.nd.us/ea/activities/docs/2002/112
  12002c.pdf
• http//www.intel.com/it/digital-office/tco-pc-upgr
  ade.htm
• http//www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/tco
  /en/tco?cuscsRC956904lenshied
• http//www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?Art
  iclearticles/p2547/23p47/23p47.aspGUID
• http//www.pytheas.com/pam/en/soa-tco.asp

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Support

• Can you support this recommendation?
• Do you need more from us (SLG)?