H:\Documents\Management\Planning\Planned Rotation\UWEC Desktop Hardware & Software Rotation Policy12-4-2001.doc
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UWEC Computer Hardware & Software Rotation
Policy
Approved by Chancellor 12-4-2001
Curriculum in many courses either directly requires the latest software or a software
product that the curriculum requires is dependant on the latest software. Trying to run
newer software on an older upgraded computer can be an exercise in frustration and
expensive to boot. Older computers crash more often running the exact same software
than newer computers and older computers tend to run painfully slow in many cases.
Costs for supporting older equipment, including various flavors of hardware and
software, increase support costs exponentially, both in dollars for hardware repairs and
upgrades, and human support hours that leads to increased FTE requirements. While
recognizing the importance of timely hardware and software upgrades, faculty members
have expressed frustration with what they see as constant changes coming at them. By
implementing a campus-wide plan departments will have the ability to budget for
expenses.
To address these issues UWEC is adopting a four-year rotation on desktop
computers (PCs and Macs) and a two year rotation on supported software.
Advantages to scheduling departmental software upgrades on a two year rotation
• We reduce faculty/staff frustration because they will know when they are slated
for upgrades.
• We reduce faculty/staff/student frustration because we will reduce the number of
versions of software that are being used on our campus. Reducing the number of
versions of a product also decreases document conversion issues.
• With planned and published software upgrades, most customers are willing to
wait because they know where they are in the schedule to receive the
software/hardware. They will also know if they must make special arrangements
until their software is due to be upgraded.
• Quite often the only way to resolve a software problem is