November is traditionally a busy month for computer purchases at Old Dominion University, as colleges and departments receive funds to expand and upgrade technology. Before making purchase decisions, it is important to identify specific needs and determine what technology best meets those needs.

A primary source of information regarding computer purchases at the university is the Office of Computing and Communications Services' Web page. From the OCCS home page, select Computer Purchases, then select PC Purchases from the menu of choices.

This page includes recommended computer configurations suitable for the majority of faculty and staff. The systems are preconfigured with the university standard operating system and software to minimize setup requirements at the time of delivery. In addition, the cost for the operating system and applications is included in the purchase price and billed through the university site license.

Peripherals such as zip drives or modems are not included in the preconfigurations; however, they can be included on a single purchase order with the preconfigured system. Purchasers should contact Chad Hayes, the university's Gateway representative, at 800-779-2000 (Ext. 32935) for pricing/ordering information for any additions to preconfigurations. These will be installed on the system after delivery to the university. This ordering procedure ensures the quickest overall installation time for new systems.

Those who find that their computing needs are not addressed by the preconfigured systems will need to purchase their system through the State Higher Education Contract. Pricing information is available by linking to the College of William & Mary Gateway Contract page from the OCCS PC Purchases page. This page includes information on all hardware currently on the state contract. OCCS highly recommends that faculty and staff selecting systems from this page make purchases from the E-Series line. This is the corporate/business line and provides the greatest parts stability.

Faculty and staff selecting or creating systems from the William & Mary contract page should be aware that systems will not have the Old Dominion University preconfigured images or site license software. Purchasers of systems from this source will be charged the commercial rate for Windows NT and for any other applications preloaded on the system. Purchasers can also buy the system with nothing preloaded and then purchase the operating system and applications through the university site license program.

When investigating a "custom" system, it is important to consider whether the enhanced hardware is necessary for your computing needs. Some enhancements result in significant cost increases with a proportionate increase in performance or reliability. Faculty and staff should also be aware that purchasing a custom system will greatly increase the amount of time required to accomplish a full NT installation after the system is delivered to the university.

Additional information on computer purchases at Old Dominion is available by contacting Dave Hamel at 683-5425 or dhamel@odu.edu.