A Guide for Schools in Choosing ICT Suppliers
Choosing an ICT supplier is not an easy job because the purchase price does not necessarily show the whole picture. The chosen equipment must meet the school’s specific needs which should be determined in advance. But it also must meet the set budget in the long term. The purchase price is of course highly important because most schools have a limited budget. But even more important is to make sure that there are no hidden costs such as expensive technical support, licenses or teacher training, to mention only a few.
Large Firms Vs Small ICT Suppliers
Basically, schools can choose between two types of ICT suppliers. The first option are established brands with a year-long reputation and small, less known providers. These usually have a slightly higher purchase price but since they usually use more personalised approach and are more flexible in terms of specific requirements, support and updates, they are often more cost-efficient in the long term. This does not necessarily mean that large firms are not a good choice but whether the chosen ICT supplier will deliver what the school needs depends greatly on whether they understand the school’s specific needs and whether they are prepared to work with the school in finding a lasting and cost-efficient solution.
Tips on Selecting the Right ICT Supplier
In order to make a good choice when deciding between different ICT suppliers, it is a good idea to pay attention to the following factors:
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School’s requirements. Every school is different and there is no one-for-all solution. Rather than trying to convince the school’s leadership that their offer is the best choice, ICT suppliers should deliver equipment that meets the school’s requirements.
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Technical support and maintenance. Computers that are used by a larger number of people and especially young people, need much more maintenance than home computers. But besides making sure that ICT supplier offers maintenance and technical support for both hardware and printers, it is also important that these services are reasonably priced.
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The ability to customise. High-performance demands, more memory, specific software programmes and features are only a few of many features that may not be included in the standard equipment. Different schools have different needs and for that reason it is highly important to have the ability to customise and add extra options.
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The ability to upgrade. The digital world is subject to a continuous change. In order to be able to provide the students with up-to-date computer science classes, the equipment obviously has to be up-to-date. But in order for it to stay up-to-date, it must allow upgrades.
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References. ICT supplier that has good references from other schools is more or less a safe choice although it is important to keep in mind that the requirements of schools vary greatly from one school to another. In addition, small suppliers may not have as many references as large firms but this does not necessarily mean they are not a good choice.