buying smart: pc, hardware, & telecom - mna superconf2009
TRANSCRIPT
Mark ShawConsulting Manager
MNA / Npower Michigan
Buying Smart
Finding Value
Adam KingTechnology Manager
MNA / Npower Michigan
Dan AylwardSenior Consultant
Abilita
Slides Available from…http://www.slideshare.net/npowermichigan
Buying SmartMark
Desktops and PortablesAdam
Basic Network Equipment Printers
Dan Phones & Telecom
Guidelines… System Life Cycle is 3-5 years
Desktop Cost $800 to $1000
Portable Cost $1200 to $1500
Server Cost $2000 to $5000 or more
Buy “Business Grade” Systems..and avoid Bloatware
Example Make/Models
Dell Optiplex, Vostro HP’s 2000, 5000, 7000 series IBM Lenovo
Desktops & Portables
Cleanup “Consumer Grade”
Control PanelAdd/Remove Programs
PC Decrapifier Identifies and Removes “Bloatware”
Desktops & Portables
Focus on Core Components Processor Video Footprint (size)
Hard/Optical Drives Display Memory Operating System
Primary Importance
Secondary Importance
Avoid Window Dressing
• Low End systems are often Packaged with.. Inkjet Printer Software application pre-installed Digital Cameras
Compare Processors
Intel processor comparison http://ark.intel.com/Default.aspx
Intel AMD Benchmarks http://www.cpubenchmark.net
Processor Components• Processor Mfg and Series
Intel Core 2 or AMD Phenom Technology is usually the same within each Series
• Model within the Series Intel E8600, E6420, AMD II, X4, X3 Higher #’s usually are better and more $
• Performance variables between Series Models Number of Cores (Single, Duo, Quad..) Cache (2Mb, 6Mb, 12Mb) Speed (2.3Ghz) FSB (1333 mhz, 1066 mhz)
Which is a better?
Comparing Video
Video Mfg
Video ProcessorSeries or model
Video Spec’sAmount of Memory - 128, 256, 512,Bus - PCI, PCI Express, IntegratedSpeeds, Digital or VGA, Dual Monitor Support, etc.
?
Intel Integrated X4500Hd nvidia Gforce 9800 512mb
Hard Drives• Most are SATA (interface)• Drive Size• Drive Speed – 5400rpm, 7200rpm, 10,000rpm• Solid State Drives
Optical Drives• Most are SATA• Should be DVD/CD RW• “Tray” and “No Tray” types• For desktops: Advantage of 2 Opticals?
Displays• Size (inches) Is from corner to corner• Digital over Analog• Premium Display over Standard
You spend a lot of time looking at it.. It should be sharp• Desktop Size
Normal (square) 17” to 21” is good Widescreen (letterbox) Start at 21” to 24” or more
• Test drive them! (office stores, etc..)
Display/FootprintNotebooks
You get more “Bang” with larger notebooks• Faster Processors and Better Video• Larger Better Displays• Number Pad, etc.
Sizes: 1) 8.5-10” 2) 12-14” 3) 15” 4) 16-17” 5) Over 17” Image Quality - wxga, wxga+, wuxga 15” is the Value “sweet spot” Higher Resolution is better
• 1920x1200 over 1280x800
Memory What Type? DDR, DDR3 What Speed? 800mhz, 533mhz Ability to Expand? # of slots? / slots filled? Guide: XP = 1-2Gb Vista = 3-4Gb
Purchasing RAM?• USE A MEMORY CONFIGURATION TOOL!!!• Example: Crucial.com, newegg.com, etc..
Operating System• XP Professional “downgrade”• Vista
Vista can be difficult to upgrade between versions Vista 32bit vs. Vista 64bit Vista is much more stable after SP1
Other Stuff
Card Readers USB, Firewire, esata Techsoup over OEM Warrantee
Networking Equipment
Stick with top brands:
Networking Equipment
Routers
Share your Internet connection – Protect your network
Basic Router: $45 - 50 Wireless Router: $55 - 65
Wired vs. Wireless
Wired Connections:More reliable
Faster
More secure
Go wireless for Convenience and Necessity
Wireless Routers
Wireless N (pre N) – 108+ Mbps300 meter range
Wireless G – 54 Mbps speed 100 meter range
Not a standard yet…
Configuring Wireless Security
http://192.168.1.1
Wireless SecurityOptions:WEP breakableWPA2 Personal (aka WPA2-PSK) more secure
Switches
5 ports – 8 ports – 16 ports – 24 ports – 48 ports
10 Mbps/100 Mbps/1000 Mbps
Switches• Desktop Switch 10 Mbps/100 Mbps: 5 to 8 ports - $25
• Desktop Switch 10/100/1000: 8 ports - $60
• Rack Mount Switch 10/100:
• 16 ports - $50
• 24 ports - $90
• Rack Mount Switch 10/100/1000:
• 16 port - $200
• 24 ports - $275
Cable/DSL Modem
Firewall/Wireless Router
The Internet – Public WAN
Private LAN
Switch
Basic Network Layout
Cabling
Cat 5e – 10 Mbps and 100 MbpsCat 6 – 1000 Mbps
www.CablesForLess.com
Wireless Access Point (WAP)
Wireless G WAP: $65Wireless N WAP: $120
Print Servers
Network a non-network printer
Print Servers
HP Jetdirect VS. Others
$150 VS. $60
• Standardize
• Networkable (n)
• Duplex (d)
• ppm
• Laser vs. Inkjet
Printers
Laser3-5 cents
Inkjet10-35 cents
Networkedcopier
<2 cents
Colorlaser
7-9 cents
Source: http://www.jeffersondavis.k12.ms.us/Departments/InformationTechnology/FAQs/tabid/72/Default.aspxaccessed on 8/9/2007.
Printers
Printers• Workgroup printing – 2 to 10 persons:
– Brother HL-5250DN Laser Printer - $215– HP LaserJet P2055dn - $325
Printers• Workgroup printing – 10 to 15 persons:
– HP LaserJet P2055x Workgroup Laser Printer - $450
Printers• Workgroup printing – More than 15 persons:
– HP LaserJet P3005x - $900
Color Laser Printers:•Lexmark C544dn - $500•OKI C5650n - $450
Printers
PrintersCompare price of consumables:
Model to Model comparison
Yield comparison
Return program
Printers
• Lexmark C544dn– Yellow toner 1000 page yield = $50– Yellow toner high yield 2000 pages = $83– Yellow toner extra high yield 4000 pages = $135– Yellow toner extra high yield 4000 pages (Non Return
Program) = $190
Printers
Lexmark C544dn ($500) vs. HP CP2025dn ($500)
• Lexmark Yellow 4000 page (Return Program) = $135• HP Yellow 2800 page yield = $120
Best Source for Professional Reviews:
Best Source for User Reviews and Purchasing:
Buying Smart
How to save money on the phones without looking dumb
Dan Aylward [email protected]
Senior Consultant 888.910-2004x303
Top 10 ways to buy smart
1. Stretch the value of existing equipment
2. When to have maintenance plans
3. Voice over IP (VoIP) and its varieties
4. Unified Communications- do you need it?
5. E fax vs. Fax server
6. 800-Goog-411
7. Phonevite
8. Cellular (international) roaming
9. Don’t pay retail for cellular accessories!
10. Cell phones on Wi-Fi, reduce minutes
Stretching the value of existing equipment
1. Upgrade software, keep hardware
2. Stock up on “sunset” equipment
How and when to use VoIP
1. Know the difference & teach management:a. VoIP in phone systemb. Hosted VoIP servicec. Internet Telephony
2. Upgrade at end of lifecycle or if you have multiple locations
3. Consider a VoIP hybrid systema. Upgrade to IP where needed, not wantedb. Or…don’t, if you want to rip out the whole thing
4. Estimate $1,000/phone
Unified Communications1. Voice, fax, IM, voicemail, email,
video conferencing, cellular all together
2. One:a. Number to reach youb. Place to check messages, mail
3. Many:a. Ways to get in touch with coworkers
4. No:a. Place to hideb. Strong argument for immediate ROI,
especially small organizations
eFax and Fax Servers1. Benefits over traditional faxing:
a. Sends receives faxes to the desktopb. all electronic and can store faxes as well as keep confidential
(arrives via email)2. Disadvantages:
a. Outbound documents with signature must be scanned
3. Fax Server: move fax lines to PRI, cost from $40 to $5 per month
4. eFax cost $10 per month (or Fax Michigan)a. Number portability success is depends on company
5. Conclusion: smaller organization eFax, larger organization Fax Server for greater ROI
International Cellular Roaming
1. Reduce cellular roaming (voice and data) costs when using more then 30 minutes
2. Reduce costs by up to 90% by:a. Change SIM card to local cellular company
b. Call forward or voicemail greeting to toll free number pointing to new international number
3. Companies like Send Global or Roam Simple do this for you
800-Goog-411
1. Replace Directory Assistance calls (up to $1.99) for free
2. Calls are connected to business or a text message sent to cell phones
3. Free, but doesn’t do residential
4. E.g. 10 Directory Assistance calls/month can save $239
Phonevite
1. Call 25 (free) to unlimited (premium $0.05/call) people at once
2. Eliminate phone tree for emergency alerts, weather cancellation, last minute plans, instant thank you, etc
a. Yes, No, maybe or customized message responses
b. Send message from PC or phone
c. shows your Caller ID
d. Delayed message allowed
Avoid Retail Rates
1. Accessory One sells cellular accessories at 33% less
2. Free 30 day credit terms
3. Free shipping on orders over $75 (or it’s just $6 per order)
4. 100% product guarantee
Cellular on the Wi-Fi
1. New technologies (UMA and Femtocell) allow cell phones to go on the Wireless Internet service
2. Allows for cellular signal when weak or no tower signal and reduces minutes (coming soon)
Phone System Maintenance Plans
1. Maintenance plans are necessary when:a. Phone system is old (over 10 years) and changes
are made regularly (not Move, Add, Deletes)b. IT staff is unwilling/can’t make changes
2. Margin on phone sales small, Resellers make more on service calls
3. Newer systems (& companies) need significantly less Technician visits, thus costs less
