IT and Multimedia Group

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences

Hardware Purchasing and Leasing Policy

The Faculty IT Committee, with the support of the Faculty Executive, has approved the following policy on the purchase and leasing of IT hardware. This policy is in accordance with the University level policy adopted by ITS Division.

Why Have This Policy?

The aim of this policy is to achieve a level of standardisation across the IT infrastructure of the Faculty in order to :

• Reduce support costs
• Increase network reliability
• Reap the benefit of volume discounts negotiated by the University (and further volume discounts where available to the Faculty).

Increased standardisation will also :

• Deliver shorter service response times as the technical support staff will be familiar with the particular types of equipment. Upgrading and customisation of operating systems becomes a more streamlined operation;
• Back end services, including purchasing and asset management benefit from a standardised operating environment, reducing administrative overheads.

Approved Hardware

All hardware that is purchased or leased by the Faculty will be through a Monash University preferred supplier.

While it is not possible to strictly enforce this policy, and it is recognised that there will be situations where it will not be feasible to adhere to the recommended suppliers list, where it is not complied with the following should be noted :

• No hardware purchased or leased that is outside the preferred supplier list can be connected to the University network without ITS approval.
• Hardware that has been loaded with unlicensed software will have access to the Monash network blocked until the software in question has been removed or proof of valid license has been sited by Faculty IT Support.
• When support from the Faculty is required for hardware outside the preferred supplier list the overall cost of support may be higher.

Preferred Supplier List

NOTE : (i) While this is the Faculty’s current preferred supplier list these vendors are reviewed throughout the year.

The list is a subset of the University’s preferred supplier list which can be accessed on the following website :
http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/procserv/policies/index.html

In addition to the prices negotiated by the University’s Procurement Services, further discounts may be obtained by contacting the above supplier representatives and making reference to membership of the Faculty.

Supplier Contacts

According to latest information current contacts are:

Exceptions to the Policy

It is recognised that exemption from reference to the above preferred supplier list could arise in circumstances such as :

• for schools and departments that are situated off campus, there may be a requirement to adhere to preferred supplier lists of their host organisation; and
• in the case of research grants, where purchase of specific hardware is required.

Connection of Non-Standard Hardware to the University Network

As ITS Division has requested communication with the faculties via their IT Manager, all requests for connection of non-standard hardware to the University network are to be sent, via email, to Mick Foy, Manager IT & Multimedia, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Cost Effective Purchasing and Leasing

The following guidelines complement the Faculty’s Hardware Purchasing and Leasing Policy :

• As cost reduction per unit is directly proportional to the number of units purchased or leased, it is the Faculty’s preference that this occurs at no lower than school level; and
• It is the preference of the Faculty to lease equipment rather than purchase.

Further information

Any queries on this policy should be directed to Mick Foy, Manager IT & Multimedia at mick.foy@med.monash.edu.au.

N.A. Saunders
24 March 2003