15 New PCs needed - help me please!

far2812

Hello all you clever Techies out there and a very happy christmas.

I have just got a new job installing a software program in a large company. I have got the external software sorted but now I need 15 PCs (as a dummy run) to install the software on.

Has anyone seen any good deals out there?

Each PC will be running solely at each branch. They dont need to be networked to each branch.

I know we will need ADSL lines (any ideas)......

Basically - I am not very techie but would be really grateful for any ideas!

There could be a christmas drink in it for anyone who really helps!

Many thanks

fiona

[Deleted User]

I've done a bit of purchasing before.. what I use to do was spec up a machine on the Dell website, then give them a call and use our corporate account (which gave us automatic discount). I'd also try to haggle a bit more off

It might be worth finding out if you already have any corporate accounts with the likes of PCWorld (business) or Dell.

edit: If it's a large firm, why not call up your IT support and ask if there's a leasing scheme they use (we lease about 7000 laptops.. )

£$&*"($£&(

I would have thought a large company would have some sort of PC supply contract. It would also be sensible for them to be networked so you can use the existing ADSL lines.

Lorian

Dell for the machines for sure, make sure you buy the longest on-site hardware support option you can.

For the adsl connections you could try www.plus.net or any of the many providers that do business connections. If you use plusnet you might be able to arrange to get the monthly referral fees for all the lines, a nice "perk".

far2812

Thanks very much - to be honest the company is a group of nursing homes and they have NOTHING in place so I really am starting from scratch. They have no internal IT policies so this is a really baby!!

I will try Plusnet and DELL now - any more suggestions??

so grateful..........

shaven-monkey

Any idea how much bandwidth your application is going to need per month over the 15 PCs ?

Set up the PCs so that they can't be used for internet access on site...
It's no fun trying to figure out why the system has crashed only to find that a valued employee of the client was "just downloading some fun games" full of trojans and virii.

MX5huggy

This would appear to be a big project for someone that is "not very techie" I have used http://www.rdc.co.uk/shops/index.php before for getting several cheep PC's quickly. Ring them don't buy online.

AdamMerry

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/content/business.asp

I work here but not in sales egs but i know they do have good discount for people buying more than one computer, it's Katie who you want to talk to, she is very good at her job.

far2812

Thanks very much for all help! I do know quite a lot but like to banter it around so I make sure I am doing the right thing.

Thanks Shaven Monkey - not sure of bandwidth - although software is not massive so shouldnt take up much! Good idea re - internet limits......

nwsuk

Avoid laptopsdirect from experience and if you read the forums plenty of nightmare stories.

Companies worth considering for multiple purchases

are scan.co.uk
cclcomputers.co.uk
ebuyer.co.uk

As for broadband, its bt or virgin depending where you are. you will get the modems etc as standard off them when you sign up.

bookduck

I don't want to be rude, especially at the time of 'peace and good will to all men', but you sound really out of you depth here, and I have these visions of a person playing russian roulette with a machine gun.

You will need to know ALL the applications and their specifications involved, not to just to make it work, but for it to run smoothly. You sound like you are not even sure of what it is going to be running and how big it is, or how much data is actually transferred, or how big it is going to grow to per year.

You will need to know if the project grows to 150 PCs then your approach is all wrong. I even wince at 15 PCs using your methodology. You also may want to buy a bespoke model (business PC) that does not change every time a new motherboard or piece of hardware comes out.

You will want secure communications/networking and this whole subject is a vast area on it own. Including while you are using ADSL, you may not want the end users to surf and have some security or only surf allowable areas - granny !!!!!! etc might just be a bit of a no-no any any unwanted site popping up may do the companies image some harm. Firewalls, filters ssl/ssh come to mind

Viruses, trojans hijacking and the prevention and updates. You do not want them to get hold of personal data or corporate data.

You probably will register with the data protection people, and there is a freedom of information act to allow people (staff and punters) to see all data pertaining to them, including how it is done and formal procedures.

locking down PCs to stop evil little hands, policies, rules, groups, shares. Include an acceptable user policy. If anything illegal is done, then the company will take the blame, including downloads of films, mp3's and abusive emails. The also you may want not to let the users install their own software or run portable apps, but may want them to perform updates.

When it does break how do you get if fixed. Who trains the people,? If there is a fault who do they call.

Backups, restores. Email - you probably would want a company account, rather than everyone user their own. Remoting to peoples PC to make sure that it is the PC and not the person that has the problem.

Then o/s and other licensing issues and servers. how much space will the server need and how much data will be put on it per year. Financial data too - then it needs records to be kept for 7 years safely.

Printing, printer drivers - how to upgrade. consumerbles like paper ink for all those types of printers and how people get hold of these. How do you stop staff selling them on ebay

When your hardware (printers, servers,etc) go faulty after 1 year who fixes them? Who is going to setup and install these? Computer tables, chairs, power points near phone lines- site surveys. Security of the PCs - stopping staff, burglars and punters obtaining early/late Xmas gift. Security of printouts/media. Protection of data USB devices?

Sorry to be a bit on the down side, but this can be a big job. If you sort out the 15 PCs correctly, you should be able to roll out 1500 using the same method. If you do it piecemeal and treat every PC as an individual item, it will probably end up being a support nightmare that does not work 90% of the time!!

How do people connect to the 'external software'. Is the software on your own server, or are they logging into a web page? Special drivers or activex bits?

You have checked all the nursing homes are in adsl areas and which suppliers connect to that area and their approx download speeds from the postcode checker?

I would think about using Thinapp / altiris /sms type products

Which day in January do they want this finished by

If anything does go wrong, who will they blame and will your job be on the line and I hope you are well paid for this task as jobs in the care industry are renown for poor pay and a project manger will get a few hundred a day for this type of job, depending on the responsibility could be a lot more - good luck!