The Computer Purchase Guide
Your upgrade options
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 consumables, 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."
To discuss your upgrade options
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.
Local wholesalers are not usually 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? Unfortunately no - there have been instances of these companies retreating during tough times and the support deteriorating.
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.
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.
To discuss your upgrade options
