Ohio State students, faculty, staff and alumni can receive a 35 percent discount on all IBM products via a virtual store, thanks to a contract between the corporation and OSU.
IBM says this deal is its largest ever with a university. The company’s average higher education discount is 10 percent, comparable to the deals of most universities. Helen Desantis, assistant vice president of business operations at OSU, said the discount will also be available for 38 other schools in Ohio.
“The Inter-University Council is a consortium of 38 state-supported higher education institutions in Ohio. The OSU contract enables IUC schools to access OSU discounts,” she said.
An IBM ThinkPad T40 – its newest laptop – sells for $2,249 standard online retail. An OSU student, staffer or alum can purchase the same computer for $1,484.34. A similarly stocked desktop computer without a monitor sells for $1,099 web retail. The OSU virtual store sells the computer for $703.36.
Why a better deal for OSU compared to other schools? The university, including the medical center, spends nearly $25 million each year on PCs and PC-related accessories. OSU hopes to save money and time on trouble-shooting and computer maintenance by regulating the equipment used, Desantis said.
Similiar deals exist between the university and companies in areas like food service and janitorial and lab supplies.
“This is not the largest deal. However, it is one of the most inclusive deals for computer and computer-related equipment,” said Joanne Markiewicz, OSU purchasing director.
OSU signed the three-year preferred-vendor contract with the IBM Corporation last August. The contract has three option years after 2006. OSU can decide whether to continue the contract at the end of each year. The university’s discount will not change as retail prices on the equipment fluctuate; the percentage of discount remains fixed regardless of sales.
For the duration of the contract, faculty may have problems purchasing other brands. The contract asks that faculty “at least give a reason” for using non-IBM software and products. Some faculty members may prefer another brand, while some already-existing programs simply may not be compatible with IBM accessories.
“My gut feeling is (compatibility) shouldn’t be a problem,” said Jeff Daniels, associated ean of the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. “If it’s the same Microsoft operating system, there shouldn’t be an issue.”
Students can make purchases at www.OSUpurchasing.com. Faculty, staff and alumni can get ordering information until their Web sites are running.
