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College of Life Sciences IT Support
Support Info

Standardization

1. COST VALUE – By partnering with select vendors (Apple and Dell), BYU is able to increase their purchasing power and lower their overall computer purchasing costs. LSIT is able to negotiate lower prices on select professional/business grade computers configured to meet the needs of the college. Why is this important?

  • Most computer manufacturers make two different grades of computers: consumer and professional/business.
  • Professional/business grade systems are typically made with name brand parts from major manufacturers.
  • Consumer grade systems are typically made with more generic parts, or the parts that the manufacturer can get the cheapest in bulk supply. Thus, replacement parts for consumer grade systems are not guaranteed to be the same as what was originally purchased.
  • The computers that LSIT recommends are in the professional/business class of systems.
  • Manufacturers also make several different versions of a particular model. Version differences can be small (e.g., hard drive size) or significant (e.g., a different system/main board, wireless card or video card). These major component differences make it difficult for LSIT to maintain a consistent software suite image.
  • The professional/business grade computers selected are reliable, supportable, and cost competitive.

2. COMPATABILITY - LSIT works diligently with our technical partners to make professional/business grade computer selections to best meet the computing requirements of the college. LSIT acquired computers are tested for compatibility with the BYU network and are scalable to 5 years of operations on our campus.

3. TIME SAVINGS - BYU computers are pre-configured and tested to facilitate time savings during computer setup thus, allowing faster delivery of systems and freeing up LSIT staff to responding to more urgent tasks. LSIT has pre-built images for each machine type that include standard college settings and software. The LSIT office tests and verifies the compatibility and functionality of core software applications.

4. SUPPORT - Computer standardization makes it possible for the LSIT staff to promptly answer your questions and fix most problems that may arise. This ensures you receive efficient service when you experience problems, allowing you to get back to work as quickly as possible. Standardization of hardware allows the LSIT staff to familiarize themselves with select computers. Also, the LSIT office has a Dell certified repair technician on staff to efficiently resolve Dell hardware problems. With a limited number of LSIT staff, standardization is a major advantage in ensuring that we provide college clients with the most reliable service.

5. SUPPORT COSTS – The initial cost of a computer is just part of the total cost of ownership (TCO). Cheaper, non-standardized computers may save a little up front, but cost more in the end. TCO has a big impact on the college due to the hidden support costs caused by the amount of time it will take to setup, maintain, and repair a non-standard computer. This hidden overhead is costly to the college as it decreases the efficiency of the LSIT staff and the customers they support.

6. ASSET TRACKING - Computers ordered through LSIT are bar coded, recorded, and tracked in the LSIT computer inventory system. This provides invaluable data needed for software setup and resource planning.