One final decision point -- the one most often overlooked -- is planning for the future. If you put forth a little effort now to consider your future needs and adjust your workstation purchase accordingly, your hardware costs may be lower in the long run and the purchase you are about to make may last longer than it would otherwise.
When looking toward the future to plan for growth, you need to consider several issues.
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How much more will the organization's work tasks increase over the next six months to three years?
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Based on past trends, can you purchase systems that will provide adequate performance for those extrapolated needs?
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Will your storage requirements or capabilities change drastically in the foreseeable future?
You should try to purchase systems that provide a reasonable level of growing space, which means including more storage space, RAM, and connection ports than you really need now. This doesn't mean, however , that you should get the maximum available of everything. Rather it means selecting a workstation that will be capable of supporting your organization's work tasks now and a few months or years from now.
Moving forward
Once you have evaluated your organization's need for new workstations, created a wish list or order list of the components or features you need in a workstation, and considered current and future needs as well as warranty, support, upgrade, and training issues, you're ready to begin the purchase process.
Take the time to review your purchase requirements list; look at your list of tasks, software, peripherals, and connections your workstations need to support, then verify that each item on your list is met by your selections. Double-check with your accounting department about purchase restrictions and the ordering process involved in obtaining new equipment. Write up your purchase order request and obtain final approval from your supervisor. Once you have verified your research and obtain final purchase permission, you're ready to submit your order.
As soon as your order is placed, your final step is to plan for configuration, testing, deployment, and training while you're waiting for delivery.
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