Purchasing Recommendations

• Computer Procurement
• Dell computers
• Hewlett Packard printers
• VCUHS Workstations
• Microsoft Office and other software purchases
• Recommended equipment

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computer Procurement

University Purchasing has contractual agreements with Apple, Dell, and Lenovo to provide the VCU community with discount pricing on computer equipment.

Faculty and Staff can purchase computers and receive educational pricing when purchasing from VCU getIT.

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Dell computers

The School of Medicine recommended computer models are preconfigured and listed on the SOM Dell Premiere website for quick purchase. In order to access the SOM Dell Premiere website, you will need an account created. Email Branson Reeves, VCU Dell Sales Account Representative at Branson_Reeves@Dell.com. The Dell preconfigured computer model specifications are listed below.

IT Support Analysts (ISAs) are Dell Certified, and we recommend faculty and staff purchase Dell computers for the following reasons:

• We can provide better support for Dell, as our certifications enable us to order replacement parts for equipment that is under warranty. Replacement parts are usually shipped within 24 hours.
• As more departments standardize purchasing of preconfigured computer models, our support times will improve due to consistency of computer models.
• Dell offers higher education discounts.
• Ease of ordering and purchasing process
• Fast shipment

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Hewlett Packard printers

We recommend the use of Hewlett Packard printers. In our experience with various manufacturers, we have found HP printers to be the most reliable, cost effective and well-supported printers in the market today.

We strongly encourage the use of laser printers over ink jet printers because they are more reliable, cost effective, support high volume print jobs and faster printing.

Please note, we only offer support for installation and basic troubleshooting of printers. All other issues must be referred to an office equipment repair company.

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VCUHS Workstations

You should purchase a VCUHS workstation if both conditions are true:

• You need access to network storage on VCUHS servers
• Your office is located in clinical buildings on the VCUHS network

VCUHS workstations are supported by the VCUHS Help Desk. If you require assistance please call 8-6447.

If you do not require a VCUHS workstation, we recommend one of the Dell computers listed below under Recommended equipment.

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other software purchases

To purchase Microsoft products outside of Office, please contact the Software House International (SHI) Sales Team for a quote. Please see the current pricing of the mostly used business software products. SHI manages the VITA contract for the Commonwealth of Virginia. For all other details, please visit VCU Procurement and Purchasing Web site.

Software House International (SHI) Sales Team

Erik Michael Schroeder
SHI VA account executive
Phone: (732) 564-8217
Phone: (800) 527-6389 ext. 8217
Fax: (732) 564-8218
Email: erik_schroeder@shi.com

Angela Mensch
SHI Inside Account Manager
Website: www.shi.com
Phone: (732) 564-8380
Fax: (732) 564-8379
Email: Angela_Mensch@shi.com

Helaina Cohen
SHI Inside Account Manager
Website: www.shi.com
Toll Free: 1 (888) 964-8888 ext: 7126
Phone: (732) 537-7126
Fax: (732) 537-7127
Email: Helaina_Cohen@shi.com
VITA Contract Number: VA-070907-SHI

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Recommended equipment

Dell Optiplex desktops and Latitude notebooks are offered in several configurations. The configurations include low, middle and high-end range models. The configuration of choice depends on your processing requirements.

All configurations have at 8GBs of RAM for the following reasons:

• Better performance
• Upgradability to latest operating systems
• Faster response time for accessing data
• Multitasking performance
• Inexpensive cost of RAM

Consultation and determination of hardware/software requirements prior to order placement is strongly encourage as non-standard equipment will result in extended delays of up to 10 business days from configuration to setup. For non-business ordered computers, part replacement ordering must be handled by the purchaser. Sony is a good example as they do not offer business class computers. For computer orders that do not meet our standard configurations for business use, the department will be asked to return the equipment. The department will be forwarded a computer quote that will meet the business need.

Updated 01/27/12.

Equipment type	Make/Model	Specifications
Low-End Desktop	Dell Optiplex 390 Minitower iMac 21.5"	View specs View specs
Mid-Range Desktop	Dell Optiplex 790 Minitower iMac 27"	View specs View specs
High-End Desktop	Dell Optiplex 990 Minitower Mac Pro	View specs View specs
Low-End Laptop	Dell Latitude E5420 MacBook Pro 13"	View specs View specs
Mid-Range Laptop	Dell Latitude E5520 MacBook Pro 15"	View specs View specs
High-End Laptop	Dell Latitude E6520 MacBook Pro 17"	View specs View specs
Lightweight Laptop	Dell Latitude E6220 MacBook Air	View specs View specs
Desktop B&W Laser Printer	Xerox Phaser 3250/D	View specs
Desktop Color Laser Printer	HP Color LaserJet CP1525	View specs
Network Color Laser Printer	Brother HL-4570CDW	View specs
Network Color Laser Printer	Xerox Phaser 6280	View specs
Network Laser Printer	HP Laserjet P4014n	View specs
Multifunction Center Printers	MFC-8480DN	View specs
Desktop Scanners	Fujitsu S1500 Fujitsu S1300	View specs View specs
USB Flash Drive (Windows and Apple Compatible)	IronKey Enterprise S200 Secured Encrypted	1GB, 2GB, 4GB*, 8GB and 16GB

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