Buying Computers

Shopping for business computers is much more difficult than shopping for groceries or even hi-fi systems. The following points will help you to shop wisely.

Deciding what you need.

Do you have the knowledge and experience to know what your computer requirements are? Very few computer users are. Knowing what is required requires an in depth knowledge of;

• Your applications
• Your present needs and future expansion possibilities
• Up to date computer technology
• Available hardware and software
• Manufacturers & distributors

Choosing a Dealer

Ask yourself the following questions;

• Does the dealer have the knowledge to be able to decide what you really need?
• Is he stable and financially sound enough to be able to meet his guarantees and promises?
• Will he provide a complete "turnkey" solution, or will the equipment be installed and the manuals handed over?
• Will you be provided with free on site service with minimised down time by means of swap outs during the full warranty period?
• Is the final installation going to be optimised for ease of use and good performance?
• Will all necessary training be provided free of additional charge?
• Is the dealer going to supply components of the best quality?
• Will final assembly work be done by experienced and careful technicians?

Meet the people who will be serving you. If they employ staff to do the service, meet them as well and judge for yourself whether they are going to remain with the company. If service is in the hands of one or two hired staff only - be sure these staff will be willing to continue to serve you even if they change jobs. Generally satisfy yourself that you will be in capable and reliable hands.

Warranty Service

You are dependent on the chosen dealer to provide warranty service. Computer dealers will not uphold guarantees given by another dealer. Computer manufacturers expect their dealers to provide first line service without extra compensation. That's what dealer margins are for.

In other words, you will have to pay another dealer to identify the problem, remove the faulty module and send it to the distributor or manufacturer who supplied the part (and how will another dealer know who the supplier was?), together with proof of purchase (which may be difficult to obtain), in order to get a replacement or have it repaired. This can take some time too.

Only a factory assembled and branded computer can be returned to a distributor as a complete system for repair under warranty, and even then on site service is not free, nor are swap out systems offered.

With warranty periods as long as 5 years, the quality of the warranty should be an important consideration.

The Price of Knowledge and Service

Computer experts don't come cheap. The better and more experienced computer dealers employ staff who command higher salaries. Unfortunately this extra cost has to be passed on to their customers - but that's what value for money is about. It's not the price you pay up front that counts - rather the health of your company's balance sheet at the end of the year.

But do be careful that you are not expected to pay for the dealer's extravagances.

Finally, if you have not had much experience with computers, it will be best to ask a friend or impartial consultant for extra assurance.