The Auckland Computer Purchase Guide

One of the key facts known in technical circles is: good quality local assembled machines are far superior to the overseas assembled branded models.

"Why is this," you may ask? What is the reasoning behind this assertion?

Most overseas branded models incorporate "non-standard" parts! This will be the most compelling statement you will ever read in the upgrading of computer hardware.

"How will "non-standard" parts effect my business," you ask?

What this means when your warranty expires you are locked into replacement parts from the manufacturer at three or four times the cost of standard parts. That's if they are obtainable!! They may not even be readily available.

You know how it is with printer ink. Some multinationals actually boast about the huge profits they make on consumerables, like printer ink.

One trap that is not so obvious (and usually overlooked) ...is your system setup. When upgrading to a new computer ....there is a setup expense.

If you are running on a non-standard computer and the proprietary replacement parts are not readily available (e.g. a few days away) ...you can have a serious problem. (or serious expense)

Your best solution could be to chuck out the computer and buy a new system incurring unwanted hardware, software and setup costs.

Your sensible option in upgrading a business computer is to stick with good quality machines that use low cost, generic, always available parts, here in Auckland.

By using this concept you can easily sack your supplier and find another support company if you are forced to endure lousy service.

By using the above rationale we can observe: "Generic computer systems are easier and less costly to maintain."

Is "odd-ball" equipment from big computer manufacturers ...a good fit with small business?

How come ...a heap of brand name computers are sold in Auckland?

Corporations like dealing with corporations ...and purchasers can swing good deals from their multi-national suppliers. This is where a good percentage of brand name computers are sold in Auckland.

The local Auckland wholesalers are not geared up to supply hundreds or thousands of computers in one order.

Does buying from an overseas multinational company guarantee good support in the future?

We can easily answer this question by examining a recent event in which an international computer company decided to "cut-back" in the Asia Pacific region.

Ask anyone in Auckland who has (or had) one of these systems and see how they rate the "cut-back" service?

When I want to add new features to my workstation like a standard DVD burner .....is this an easy exercise or will the computer tech curse you for buying a non-standard system?

Always purchase a standard NZ computer in an easily-accessible-upright-server-format. By making this decision means ...you can go anywhere to get support ...and replacement parts and upgrades in the future are a breeze.

Summing up: Purchasing non-standard computer systems is not a good strategy for small business.

Is purchasing a computer system off the Internet a good move?

If you have problems with your new business computer.....do you want to get support from the local supplier in Auckland ....or from an overseas call centre?

On the other hand, what about the bad publicity you hear about local vendors in Auckland going bankrupt? (The ones selling the standard NZ

assembled machines)

The worst that can happen is ...you miss out on some of your warranty! With a generic system using standard replacement parts ...you don't have a problem as any support company can help you.

It is essentially a choice between buying local generic computers, ...or proprietary systems with overseas support.

The total cost of ownership of a computer system examined

The total cost of ownership of a business computer (or TCO) is made up of five components: the hardware, the software, the installation, the training or learning phase and the repair and maintenance.

The cost of computer hardware has dropped dramatically in the last few years; unfortunately this has not reduced the cost of ownership. With “always-on” Internet there is an every day risk of a severe business disruption.

The repair and maintenance can easily exceed all the other components added together. Why is this? If important information gets corrupted and data is lost ...this could instantly threaten the viability of a business, and waste valuable hours in data recovery. Being out of action for a few days could be catastrophic to some businesses.

Industry analysts have demonstrated that the initial purchase price of a business computer is potentially far outweighed by the associated costs over its life cycle. As a result of the findings, some small business operators now focus on the TCO package when pricing their new purchases.

ROI (return on investment) is the most common method by which business can judge the effectiveness of purchases. By investing in stocks and shares an individual can immediately calculate the ROI or profit after 12 months. Calculating the ROI of high technology is trickier.

Reverting back to pen and paper will give you the lowest TCO. The only problem here is the “Return on Investment” or ROI. Stubbornly refusing to take advantage of the latest technology reduces ROI and effectiveness of a business.

The purchase price although only a portion of the TCO calculation, is a major and immediate in-your-face expense.

The knee jerk reaction is to buy cheap! If you are buying a computer for your business the overall package should be looked at closely. Maybe it is not such a good idea to buy the cheapest.

Reducing TCO is really about ownership philosophy and careful practices. Lowering TCO doesn't involve shortcuts or magic, just common sense and logical thinking.

The choice of having a part time IT department to keep your system in good shape

How can we tailor a computer maintenance package, that is priced …exactly right?

One way of guaranteeing that the basic maintenance is done and you don’t over pay …is by the “Service Block” arrangement. This way you purchase a block of maintenance hours or labour at a reduced cost.

By this method, your computers are guaranteed to be serviced and the large cost taken out of an unexpected failure. You don’t pay in a block …but by monthly payments. This way you are certain to get the basics done …and niggling problems fixed.

Ten hours maintenance work is a good start on each computer. This could include three or more service calls a year. The “Service Block” acts like an insurance policy as well as a maintenance agreement …helping you to operate a smooth running business.

The agreement ensures you do not pay any more that necessary. By using the “Service Block” maintenance agreement small business owners can make use of the convenient support package and lower the TCO.

How does the “Service Block” reduce TCO? Preventative maintenance is one sure-fire way of reducing TCO.

The usual upgrade strategy when you purchase a new system

1.) Your new system is installed on-site.

2.) Jetstream/Tempest/Woosh or dialup installed and email accounts setup.

3.) Antivirus software loaded and updated.

4.) Email contacts and mail copied over and imported.

5.) All your word processing/ spreadsheet/ database software installed.

6.) All existing files copied to new system.

7.) Business software loaded and existing data copied over and imported.

8.) CD/DVD backup software installed and a suitable backup strategy implemented if needed.

9.) Acrobat software installed for reading PDF files.

10.) Adware software loaded and updated for detecting parasites.

The Ultimate Small Business Computer and Installation Service

This is the general layout of these good quality business computers. They are available in black or beige. See below for more specs.

The computers are locally assembled out of good quality standard modules. Once outside the warranty period, they can be serviced by any local computer repair agent.

Spare parts and upgrades are all readily available from any wholesaler or retailer at low cost.

These machines are are not sold direct to the public. They are only available through experienced computer professionals here in Auckland.

There is a money back guarantee for these business computers. If you are not satisfied within 7 days you get a refund on the hardware supplied.

Please call if you need a local reference.

Sample only - call for a quote

Also supplied

Microsoft software
MYOB software
Quicken/QuickBooks software
Wireless networking products
Uninterruptible power supplies
Portable computers (Laptops)

Call or email for the latest pricing.

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