Selecting workstations : Determine your needs

• What are the primary work tasks of users who will be receiving the new systems? Take the time to talk to the people who will be using the workstation and find out how they might work differently if they had a different system configuration or a different set of peripherals. Typically, workstation users are knowledgeable and comfortable discussing their computing needs. While you may not be able to fulfill their entire wish list, knowing what's on it significantly improves your chances of purchasing a system that will support the way they work and make them more productive.
  
• What major applications need to run on the workstations? What are their system requirements? New systems will often need to support the same applications already in place in the organization, but may also need to run new applications that current systems just don't support. Also, ask users what software applications they most often run concurrently, so you can be sure the workstations can support the needs of several applications at once.
  
• What is the general hardware configuration of systems currently deployed in the organization? You want your new workstations to fit as seamlessly as possible into your existing infrastructure so they will be easy to support. If most users don't have access to DVD burners or tape devices (and they aren't necessary for work tasks), you may increase your helpdesk load if you add them on to new systems. If you do have to add devices or peripherals that you don't currently support, be sure you decide in advance how you will support them and educate yourself about their operation before you hand them over to users.
  
• What operating system does your organization primarily use? Do the workstation users need a particular OS (Linux, Windows XP, or PA-RISC instead of Windows 2000, for example)? Can you leverage any bulk operating system licenses? Will you need to buy new licenses? Will the additions of these new licenses qualify you for a bulk purchase? While most new systems come with an operating system installed, you may be able to save a bit of money if you leverage your bulk licensing instead and do the installation yourself. If you do choose to install a new operating system, plan now for the technical support you will eventually have to offer.
  
• What peripheral devices will the new systems need to support? What types of connections? How many? Make sure that your new system has the right type of connections (serial, parallel, SCSI, USB, Firewire, etc.) and the right number of each connection type. If the new system does not have the correct or available connection port, you may need to replace the peripheral with one supporting a different connection type.
  
• What kind of network do you have now? Do you plan to upgrade it in the future? Obviously, your new system needs to support a network interface that's compatible with your current network. But if there are already plans in place to upgrade the network in the near future, it makes sense to get a network interface that will support the future network as well the current one.
  
• What is your total budget for the new workstations? Be sure you understand the total amount of money you have available to spend, as well as any restrictions on how you can spend that money. Some organizations limit the amount of money that can be spent on any single system, while others limit the number of systems you can purchase at once. Additionally, some organizations do not allow purchases of systems that include any first- or new-generation hardware (i.e. the fastest CPU or the largest hard drive). Be sure your budget includes money for software and OS installation, new peripherals, and training for both your helpdesk staff and your users.

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