More Comp. Support Info

I just received this follow up to my request for estimates to manage our Collaboratory Computers. It is from ECE Computer and Technology Services:

I think what you are proposing is an outstanding idea and we’d love to help you. I’ll hit you with the dollars up front and then we can get into the rest. Our service charge model has a category specifically for computer labs. We charge $500 per lab (based on unique software image that can be used across all machines) + $200 per machine annually. So for a lab of just 4 machines you’re talking $1300 per year for us to manage it. If you add or subtract from the number of machines then it goes up or down by $200 each.

For that amount you get total support for the lab. We’ll help you spec out the machines to put in there and get them ordered for you if you like. We’ll round up and install all the software you need (there are probably license fees you’ll have to pay for some things, but Windows, Matlab, and a variety of other things are site-licensed on campus.) We’ll manage the printer and handle setting up logins and all that on the lab machines. We’ll fix them if they break down or if there is a problem with the software on them. We have direct access to warranty parts from both Dell and HP so we can fix broken hardware quickly and efficiently in-house. And when they are ready to be replaced we’ll wipe them of all data to be ready for surplus and help purchase and set up the replacements.

If you would like to see some samples of our work we run similar student labs for ECE, Material Sciences and a few other departments that I could show you. If this sounds of interest to you and you think the price is do-able, let me know and we can discuss details. Jeremy Bird is the primary network admin at Civil these days so he’ll probably be your primary day-to-day contact if we do go forward with this. Fair warning, he’s very busy at the moment since we just took over up there and there are a lot of details to work out. Thanks for your interest, and good luck with your lab.

--Jim Hurst

Manager of Systems and Services

ECE Computer and Technology Services

jhurst@illinois.edu

217-244-3617

Computer Support Information

I wanted to post the information that Brian Payne collected about computer support. Here is the text of his email.

I met today with the EWS manager and the assistant dean (not sure of the title here, but which ever "dean" oversees IT issues for the campus). I showed them our current computer lab as well as updated them on our future plans for the collaboratory. Joe Zalabak, the EWS manager was helpful and supportive and even pledged 4 former EWS computers to our lab.

He explained that they're 3 years old, but were top of the line when purchased. This would not include monitors, software, or maintenance all which we would still need to look into. The assistant dean had also expressed that as we move forward we should inform the CEE department head. Specifically as energy use is a big issue for departments, purchasing computers, refrigerators and other equipments would impact this (we can argue it'll be positive as we get more efficient computers and replace all the mini fridges with a big one!).

Lastly, I've got requests out to CITES and the ECE IT folks about info regarding maintenance of the collaboratory and will keep you all informed on what I hear back. 

Joe had asked our timeline and I'd told him that we'd be on the ball if we we're ready for his computers by the end of the semester. So, I think it's time to start pricing monitors and furniture!

Cheers,
Brian