Desktop Computer and Printer Hardware Standards - Migration Policy for FY 012

Introduction

The Office of Information Technologies (OIT), in cooperation with the Information Technology Steering Committee and the Rider Community, will annually publish recommended configurations for new computer and printer purchases and minimum configurations for existing desktop computers and printers.  The standards will help to hold training and support costs and make it possible for people across campus to work together using technology.  Standards also guide divisions making new purchases and assist in planning equipment life cycles.

Hardware Standards

There are two types of standards: desktop computer and printer standards for general-purpose computing (Email, word processing, and spreadsheets), and desktop computer and printer standards for administrative system access (access to DATATEL, Banner) as well as general purpose computing).  For each standard, recommended configurations for new purchases and minimum configurations for existing computers and printers are described.  OIT will review and update these standards each year evaluating University needs and industry changes.  OIT does not recommend mixing Macintosh and Windows computers within an office where a single standard is much easier and less costly to support.  Generally speaking, application software products and peripherals (printers, scanners) are not 100% compatible and more costly to maintain in a mixed environment.

Support Timetable

OIT will guarantee full support of desktop computers and printers purchased using the recommended configuration guidelines through July 1, 2012.  As updated desktop computer and printer standards are issued, support timelines may be revised.  Full support means training, documentation, hardware parts, and software support will be provided. Partial support means limited hardware and software support will be provided. Limited hardware support means, if an OIT technician cannot solve the problem or determines that repairing the unit is too costly, OIT will recommend the unit not be repaired.  If the user chooses to purchase new equipment in lieu of repairing it, OIT will contribute the cost of the repair towards the purchase of new equipment.  Limited software support means, if an OIT technician cannot resolve the software error, OIT can install an older version of the software in order to solve the problem.

OIT does not support standalone printers (printers attached directly to a workstation).  In general, the cost to repair a standalone printer (time and material) is greater than or equal to the cost of a new printer.  Standalone printers (like a Hewlett Packard DeskJet) are not built to withstand the demands placed on it in an office environment

Computer Migration Policy

Desktop computers and printers may be redistributed throughout the University. Any such redistribution should be performed according to the following guidelines:

• A given division may decide to move an existing computer or printer within that particular division provided it meets or exceeds the “Standards for Existing Desktop/Laptop Computers and Printers” described in this document.
• Contact OIT Help Desk at x3000 or via the web at http://easypass.rider.edu to schedule the installation. If there is more than two machines involved, department should contact Facilities Management prior to the installation to complete the physical move of machines.
• OIT will install and inventory the machines and network printers.

However, a division may choose not to move a computer or printer that becomes available and meets the minimum standard.  In that case, the division should return the equipment to the Office of Information Technologies (OIT) for migration.  Available machines that do not meet the minimum standard should be returned to OIT.

Machines returned to OIT for migration will be placed in the migration pool.  Computers and printers in the migration pool will be distributed monthly to faculty and staff whose machines don’t meet the minimum standards. Faculty and staff requesting the machine from the pool must submit a written request to the Help Desk at http://easypass.rider.edu

Machines will be distributed on the first in/out basis.  Machines distributed from the pool are to be used exclusively in University offices only. 

Desktop Computer Standards for New Purchases

Below are the recommended configurations for desktop computers used for general-purpose computing and higher end usage. Buying the best desktop computer you can afford usually pays off in extra years of support from OIT and service from the computer. To avoid any incompatibility and support problems faculty and staff must contact OIT User Support Services at X3000 to obtain a price quote for a new machine.   All new equipment purchases must be reported to OIT for inclusion in the Capitol Equipment Inventory along with its location.

Recommended Configuration Desktop Computers (new systems)

Printer Standards for New Purchases

Below are the recommended configurations for printers used for general-purpose computing (word processing, Email, Internet)

OIT recommends that divisions buy workgroup printers, i.e. shared via the campus network. Buying the best printer you can afford usually pays off in extra years of support from OIT and service from the printer. To avoid any incompatibility problems faculty and staff must contact OIT Help Desk at x3000 to obtain a price quote. All new equipment purchases must be reported to the General Accounting Office for inclusion in the Capitol Equipment Inventory along with its location.

Large Department Group Network Printing Configuration - New Purchase

Small Department Network Printing Configuration - New Purchase

 Standards for Existing Desktop Computers

The following configurations for existing general-purpose desktop computers were defined using the minimum hardware and software requirements needed to connect a desktop computer to the campus network as well as run the CORE Software Suites (Windows XP, Mac OS 10.X, MS-Office XP, Internet Explorer, Thunderbird, FireFox  for Internet access).

Minimum Configuration for an Existing Desktop Computer

Minimum Configuration for Existing Laptop Computer

Standards for Existing Printers

The following standards for existing printers were defined using the minimum requirements needed to connect a printer to the campus network and perform multipurpose printing from the Standard Software Suite and administrative applications (Banner and Datatel).

Printing Minimum Configuration - Existing Printer

Laptop Guidelines

Generally, laptop computers cost more than a similarly equipped desktop computer and lag at least one generation behind in technology.  If you plan to buy a laptop to use as your primary desktop computer, it should comply with the appropriate general-purpose or administrative standard configuration.

Support for laptop computers is no different than for desktop computers.  The following represents OIT’s recommendations for laptop computers:

Guidelines for Laptop Computers – General/Presentation/Multimedia purpose (13 Inch)

Guidelines for Laptop Computers – General/Presentation/Multimedia purpose (15 Inch)