UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 18, Page 3
February 1, 1996
Q&A - Employee Computer Purchase Program
Eligibility
All permanent employees who receive full benefits coverage are
eligible to participate in the program.
Duration of program
To take advantage of this program, you must place an order by
March 15.
Subsidy for cash purchases
If you wish to participate but do not wish to finance your
purchase, you will be given a 5 percent purchase discount,
administered as a reduced selling price at the University's Computer
Warehouse. This discount will apply to only one purchase made under
this program. If your purchase exceeds $5,000, the purchase discount
will only be applied to the first $5,000 of the purchase.
Financing plan
The University will provide an interest-free installment payment
plan to eligible participants for up to three years, depending on the
amount borrowed. Repayment must be by payroll deduction.
Maximum repayment period
When you pick up your order, you may specify the number of months
over which you will repay through payroll deduction. The maximum
duration will be 36 months, subject to the following constraints:
Amount Must be
financed repaid within
$250 to $1,000 12 months
$2,500 or less 24 months
$5,000 or less 36 months
Program limitations
The minimum amount you may finance is $250; the maximum amount is
$5,000. The amount you may finance is based on the amount of the first
purchase made as a participant; subsequent purchases may not be used
to increase the financed amount. Purchases may exceed the $5,000
financing limit, in which case you must pay the difference in cash.
Employee resignation or termination
If you leave the University, you must pay the full amount of the
outstanding balance.
Equipment available for purchase
You must purchase all items through the University's Computer
Warehouse. These items include anything that the Computer Warehouse
carries or can order, including complete systems, peripherals,
upgrades to existing systems, software, etc. You may finance only one
central processing unit (cpu) under this program and are subject to
the constraints of the University's resale agreements with the
manufacturers.
How can I get help deciding what to buy?
The pre-purchase consulting staff at the Technology Solutions
Center (in the lower level of Smith Hall) are available Monday through
Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to answer your questions. You can call
831-8895 or send e-mail to: tsc-info@udel.edu.
Some suggested configurations for desktop and notebook systems
are available to you on the World Wide Web. You can find this
information from the University's home page by linking to What's New
(http://www.udel.edu/ whatsnew.html). You can also ask the Technology
Solutions Center staff to fax or send it to you through Campus Mail.
This information will be updated online and will reflect the best
prices on the most current products that are available through the
University.
You may purchase any computer or workstation, software or
peripheral available through the University's Computer Warehouse.
These products include merchandise from Apple, Hewlett-Packard,
Toshiba, Compaq, Sun and Zenith. If you are interested in a product
from a vendor that is not listed, check with the Computer Warehouse
for availability. If you need help in tailoring a system to fit your
particular needs, visit the Technology Solutions Center. You can see
and "try before you buy" some of the many systems on display as well
as discuss your options with the consultants.
Is this a good time to buy?
Yes. If you are interested in buying a computer, both the
DOS/Windows and Apple Macintosh systems currently available run the
latest versions of software and are capable of being connected to the
Internet. You can also buy Sun workstations through the Computer
Warehouse.
Because vendors continuously strive to improve their equipment,
and prices tend to drop over the course of time, check the price
listings on the World Wide Web.
Can I buy just software?
Sure. But be certain that the version of the software you buy
will run on the computer system you own. The latest versions of
software frequently demand large amounts of disk space and memory to
run efficiently.
Can't I just add boards, chips, etc., to my old system instead of
buying a new one?
Yes, but you should consider the wisdom of investing in old
technology. You can discuss this with the consultants at the
Technology Solutions Center. Be sure to tell them what type of system
you have and what software you want to run on the upgraded system.
The University's Computer Warehouse will order any upgrades that
are supplied by current contract vendors. However, first check with
the consultants in the Technology Solutions Center regarding what will
be involved in installing the upgrade equipment.
Can I just get an ink jet or a laser printer to replace my dot-matrix
printer?
Yes, but be sure to discuss this with the consultants at the
Technology Solutions Center to be sure of compatibility. There is a
wide variety of printers from which to choose.
Why is the computer I bought in previous programs considered "old
technology"?
The current processors in MS-DOS/Windows systems are the 486 and
Pentium processors. In the Macintosh world, the new Power PC processor
is available. The latest Sun workstations have the SPARC (Scalable
Processor ARChitecture) processor.
The consultants in the Technology Solutions Center can explain
the specific consequences of having an earlier generation processor in
the context of current versions of software you wish to use.
Is there a market for my used equipment?
In some cases, there will be. The computer brokers listed below
are a few of many who buy used equipment. Or, you may wish to donate
your used equipment to a charitable organization. A list of local
organizations that accept donations can be obtained by calling 831-
8895.
The Boston Computer Exchange (BCE) lists your equipment in its
national database and contacts you with offers it receives. If you
accept the offer, the buyer will make payment to BCE; BCE will notify
you of receipt of payment; you ship your equipment to the buyer for
inspection and acceptance; the buyer decides whether to accept the
equipment. If accepted, BCE will send you a check less its commission.
If the equipment is refused, you can renegotiate the price or have the
equipment returned at your expense (shipping and broker fee).
Telephone (800) 262-6399.
The following two companies resell used equipment. You bring your
equipment to the company's location, where it will be appraised and an
offer made to you. If you accept the offer, the company will pay cash
on the spot.
I want to participate. What's the first step?
Verifying your eligibility is the first step.
Using a Touch Tone phone, dial 3266. You will need your Social
Security Number and your Personal Identification Number (PIN). If you
don't know, or don't remember your PIN, check with your PAF contact.
Then, just follow the instructions you hear, using the Touch Tone
telephone keys to enter your responses. The system will verify your
eligibility and give you instructions on how to proceed, and the
Computer Warehouse will be automatically notified.
How do I place an order?
After you decide what you want to order, you may place your order
at the Computer Warehouse in any of the following ways:
* in person at 222 South Chapel St.
* by phone to 831-3530
* send order form by Campus Mail
* FAX order form to 831-6785
* by e-mail to comp-war@udel.edu
How do I initiate payroll deductions?
To initiate payroll deductions, you will be asked to fill out and
sign an Authorization for Payroll Deduction form when you pick up your
order at the Computer Warehouse. If you receive partial delivery,
payroll deductions will begin with the first shipment.
Brochures on the program, originally distributed last fall, are
available by calling 831-1977 or sending e-mail to: ulrike@udel.edu.
Information also is available on the UD home page on the World Wide
Web, by selecting "Technology" and then "Computing Products Purchase
Information."