IT purchasing advice for staff

In order to comply with College procurement policy, staff should be aware that all College-funded computers must be purchased from the College-appointed hardware suppliers. This ensures that the College obtains the most competitive pricing and value for money as well as allowing for IT support efficiencies and tailored solutions to meet the majority of TCD staff requirements.

Where buying Windows PCs, staff should ensure the computers they are purchasing are the recommended corporate models and come with the pre-installed College software image to enjoy full support from the IS Services TCD Helpdesk. Only Windows PCs with the pre-installed College image will be given full support by the IS Services Helpdesk (this does not pertain to Apple Macs).

As a result of a number of tendering processes, the following suppliers were selected to supply IT hardware to TCD:

• PC Desktops - Dell
• PC Laptops - Dell
• Apple Mac Desktops and Laptops - Compu b
• Printers, Scanners & Multifunction Devices - Ergo Services
• Audio Visual Equipment - Ace Audio Visual, Fitting Image, Techcom, System Video
• Software Purchasing - Licenced Software and Software Purchasing Information
• O2/HEAnet Broadband Offer

If you are thinking of purchasing hardware not included in the list above, you should in the first instance contact the IS Services Helpdesk for advice on the purchase, installation and configuration and usage of the IT hardware.

Lightweight & slimline laptops

In order to connect your computer to the College 'wired' network you will need a network card, also known as an ethernet adapter.  Some lightweight or slimline laptops such as the MacBook Air and Dell Ultrabook are designed for wireless networks and do not have inbuilt wired network cards and therefore cannot connect to the College ‘wired’ network.  Please note USB ethernet dongles are not supported on the College ‘wired’ network.  Staff should ensure computers that they are purchasing are the recommended corporate models and come with the pre-installed College image to enjoy full support by the IS Services TCD Helpdesk.  If you have any queries please contact the Helpdesk for further advice.

Consumables

Staff who wish to purchase any computer consumables (e.g. CDs\USB memory sticks\zip disks) or printer consumables (e.g. paper, print cartridges) should contact the approved stationery supplier directly.

Additional parts

You may need to enhance the capabilities of your computer, or have faulty components replaced when a machine is out of warranty, by having new parts installed internally, such as memory or a new hard disk.  Please contact the Helpdesk for further advice..

HEAnet/O2 Broadband Offer

HEAnet, together with O2, have made available a special broadband offer for College users, both staff and students. Please do not contact IS Services for assistance with this offer. Further details are available on the O2 website.

Having problems with IT suppliers?

If you are having problems with any of the suppliers please contact the College procurement office as follows:

Michael O'Sullivan
Phone: +353-1-896-8586
Email: osullm26@tcd.ie