[OPLINTECH] Hardware purchases

Tue Dec 18 13:14:21 EST 2012

Adding a few things to Kevin's comments.

CDW or others provide fine equipment but then you must decide among the many 
options available.
Software provided is fixed and sometimes not what is exactly needed, or wanted.
Customization may be limited or at least a special order.

We have a long term relationship with a vendor specializing in libraries and 
some schools.

When we ask for a quote, the research for a product is done for us.
We know we'll get the optimum machine for a specific purpose at a reasonable cost.
E.G. For desktops
  Mother board, CPU, ram and other components are selected for optimization and 
MTBF.
  Patron PC's may have small SSD drive's for speed instead of a large capacity 
normal drive.
  Patron and certain staff PC's may not have DVD R/W but a USB drive provided to 
share as needed.
  The PC's are assembled and burnt in prior to delivery.
  Software is installed according to required PC function

For laptops generally just the research is done with 1 or 2 presented for purchase.

Technical support and services are provided as required.
Our vendor 'knows' the systems and people capabilities so any support is speedy.
No 'do this, then call back' and hope you get the same person, etc.
No having to escalate calls up the tech support ladder, etc.

We do purchase certain equipment from CDW, buy,com and others.

However, we really like the many advantages of our regular vendor.
This vendor even recommends another, if there would be significant savings for us.

This has been our way, but may not work for you.

Bob
Email Signature

R. W. (Bob) Neeper
Community Library  <http://sunbury.cool-cat.org>
44 Burrer Dr.Map  <http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.243961,+-82.863007>
Sunbury, Oh 43074
Tel:  (740)-965-3901

cool-cat.org  <http://info.cool-cat.org>

On 12/18/2012 10:38 AM, Kevin Puffer wrote:
> Phillip, I think that's kind of like asking, "who makes the best pizza". The 
> most useful answer for your unique organization is going to depend on several 
> factors.
>
> Are you asking specifically about hardware manufacturers or vendors or both? 
> Both are in business to make money but some are more sympathetic with 
> library's funding limitations and their role as public servants. Most often 
> the one who offers only the lowest cost is not the one who is most 
> advantageous for your organization in the long run. i.e. Some IT folks like to 
> buy the best hardware they can afford expecting to recover the additional 
> purchasing costs in support and service savings over the long term. Others 
> wager on low cost machines and anticipate more labor and services costs down 
> the road. The same model applies to vendors, the vendors with the lowest 
> overhead can charge a little less but may not be able to provide the product 
> as efficiently as a larger vendor, neither will they be as easy to work with 
> after the sale should (or should I say "when") problems arise. That brings up 
> another factor; how capable is your in-house team with support issues. Do you 
> require after-sale support of the manufacturer or the vendor and if so, how 
> much? Warranties may cover anything from just the cost of failed hardware, to 
> total on-site technical support, and the warranties you choose should be 
> tailored to your specific needs.
>
> The long answer is, you are going to have to develop a purchasing strategy of 
> your own that best fits your organization. The main question is "How much risk 
> am I (and my team) willing to assume?"
>
> If the OPLIN Tech world knew a little more about your organization and 
> your capabilities, I'm sure better advice could be offered.
>
> Sorry, I know this is not the answer you were looking for.
>
> KP
>
>
>
> On Tue, Dec 18, 2012 at 10:21 AM, Phillip Jackson 
> <pjackson at pauldingcountylibrary.org 
> <mailto:pjackson at pauldingcountylibrary.org>> wrote:
>
>     Who is the best company to purchase new desktops and laptops for our
>     library's.
>
>     Thanks
>
>     Phillip Jackson
>
>     Pjackson at PauldingCountyLibrary.org <mailto:Pjackson at PauldingCountyLibrary.org>
>
>     419-399-2032 <tel:419-399-2032>
>
>
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>
>
>
> -- 
> *Kevin Puffer*
> *Systems Administrator*
>
> *Wood County District Public Library*
> *251 N. Main St. Bowling Green, OH 43402*
> *(419)**352-5104   - kpuffer at wcdpl.org <mailto:kpuffer at wcdpl.org>*
>
>
>
>
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