Before you start looking at new systems, it's important to determine
your organization's needs for new computer systems. Evaluating your needs
can be time-consuming, but it's not difficult and it will pay off in the
end. Here are some important points to include in your evaluation:
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What are the primary work tasks of users who will
be receiving the new systems? Take the time to talk to the people
who will be using the workstation and find out how they might
work differently if they had a different system configuration
or a different set of peripherals. Typically, workstation users
are knowledgeable and comfortable discussing their computing needs.
While you may not be able to fulfill their entire wish list, knowing
what's on it significantly improves your chances of purchasing
a system that will support the way they work and make them more
productive. |
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What major applications need to run on the workstations?
What are their system requirements? New systems will often need
to support the same applications already in place in the organization,
but may also need to run new applications that current systems
just don't support. Also, ask users what software applications
they most often run concurrently, so you can be sure the workstations
can support the needs of several applications at once. |
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What is the general hardware configuration of systems
currently deployed in the organization? You want your new workstations
to fit as seamlessly as possible into your existing infrastructure
so they will be easy to support. If most users don't have access
to DVD burners or tape devices (and they aren't necessary for
work tasks), you may increase your helpdesk load if you add them
on to new systems. If you do have to add devices or peripherals
that you don't currently support, be sure you decide in advance
how you will support them and educate yourself about their operation
before you hand them over to users. |
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What operating system does your organization primarily
use? Do the workstation users need a particular OS (Linux, Windows
XP, or PA-RISC instead of Windows 2000, for example)? Can you
leverage any bulk operating system licenses? Will you need to
buy new licenses? Will the additions of these new licenses qualify
you for a bulk purchase? While most new systems come with an operating
system installed, you may be able to save a bit of money if you
leverage your bulk licensing instead and do the installation yourself.
If you do choose to install a new operating system, plan now for
the technical support you will eventually have to offer. |
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What peripheral devices will the new systems need
to support? What types of connections? How many? Make sure that
your new system has the right type of connections (serial, parallel,
SCSI, USB, Firewire, etc.) and the right number of each connection
type. If the new system does not have the correct or available
connection port, you may need to replace the peripheral with one
supporting a different connection type. |
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What kind of network do you have now? Do you plan
to upgrade it in the future? Obviously, your new system needs
to support a network interface that's compatible with your current
network. But if there are already plans in place to upgrade the
network in the near future, it makes sense to get a network interface
that will support the future network as well the current one. |
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What is your total budget for the new workstations?
Be sure you understand the total amount of money you have available
to spend, as well as any restrictions on how you can spend that
money. Some organizations limit the amount of money that can be
spent on any single system, while others limit the number of systems
you can purchase at once. Additionally, some organizations do
not allow purchases of systems that include any first- or new-generation
hardware (i.e. the fastest CPU or the largest hard drive). Be
sure your budget includes money for software and OS installation,
new peripherals, and training for both your helpdesk staff and
your users. |
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Once you are done with your evaluation, you should have a list of the
tasks, software, peripherals, and connections you need to support. These
are your requirements. The next step in the process is defining exactly
how you will meet them.
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