So you think we need to get out of the install business......why ??? because it 1. takes away from troubleshooting time, 2. takes away from R & D, 3. takes away from creative technology pursuits, 4. a business can do it cheaper 5. all of the above ????? -----------------
Well ---1. Maybe, of the 5,000+ technical trouble calls in 98-99, more than 50 % of the calls were resolved in 1 week - leaves room for improvement..... 2. True, we need to be more proactive on some items (i.e. Windows, Office, Novell), however on other initiatives we are leading edge - Wide Area Network, remote diagnostics, web based instruction, curriculum database, Title III implementations, etc...... 3. False, see answer to # 2....... 4. False, yes Vanstar, WNY Computing etc. are going with economies of scale that I cannot touch, but their salary structure is higher and they factor in a profit margin. If we charge $400 a workstation(rather than $100) for installation, this would directly allocate all resources associated with installation, remember what this means. Yes, probably a vendor would "ghost" a software image on a workstation, enter workstation specific parameters on it, put it on a table in a school, connect it to a phone jack, and turn it on for < $400. However, remember what direct and indirect costs (and onetime AND ongoing services) are in our $400 --- configuration design (and integration with existing district equip), purchase order processing and procurement, receiving inventory control, order staging (making sure ALL components are received),handling equipment returns and DOA's, disposition of obsolete equipment, fixed asset insurance, equipment tagging for asset management, database entry for asset management and warranty database control, ghosting all software images and specific parameters, site surveys, cable terminations, delivery, setup in school, invoice processing, bid compliance, bid process and renewal(last year we procured 56,000 different items on behalf of districts), help desk operation, warranty control and dispatch of maintenance service provider. Remember the direct and indirect costs rolled in to the $400 per workstation.
Forget Aid !!!!!! Go price an outsourcing deal for the above services...the bet is it cost a few dollars more than $400 per workstation.
So you think we need to get out of the install business......why ??? because it 1. takes away from troubleshooting time, 2. takes away from R & D, 3. takes away from creative technology pursuits, 4. a business can do it cheaper 5. all of the above ????? -----------------
Well ---1. Maybe, of the 5,000+ technical trouble calls in 98-99, more than 50 % of the calls were resolved in 1 week - leaves room for improvement..... 2. True, we need to be more proactive on some items (i.e. Windows, Office, Novell), however on other initiatives we are leading edge - Wide Area Network, remote diagnostics, web based instruction, curriculum database, Title III implementations, etc...... 3. False, see answer to # 2....... 4. False, yes Vanstar, WNY Computing etc. are going with economies of scale that I cannot touch, but their salary structure is higher and they factor in a profit margin. If we charge $400 a workstation(rather than $100) for installation, this would directly allocate all resources associated with installation, remember what this means. Yes, probably a vendor would "ghost" a software image on a workstation, enter workstation specific parameters on it, put it on a table in a school, connect it to a phone jack, and turn it on for < $400. However, remember what direct and indirect costs (and onetime AND ongoing services) are in our $400 --- configuration design (and integration with existing district equip), purchase order processing and procurement, receiving inventory control, order staging (making sure ALL components are received),handling equipment returns and DOA's, disposition of obsolete equipment, fixed asset insurance, equipment tagging for asset management, database entry for asset management and warranty database control, ghosting all software images and specific parameters, site surveys, cable terminations, delivery, setup in school, invoice processing, bid compliance, bid process and renewal(last year we procured 56,000 different items on behalf of districts), help desk operation, warranty control and dispatch of maintenance service provider. Remember the direct and indirect costs rolled in to the $400 per workstation.
Forget Aid !!!!!! Go price an outsourcing deal for the above services...the bet is it cost a few dollars more than $400 per workstation.
EduTech Services 
