Computer & Endpoint Device Purchasing
computer.purchasing@nau.edu | (928) 523-5058
ITS manages computer and endpoint device purchasing for NAU, offering a wide range of desktops, laptops, tablets, and peripherals for faculty and staff members to procure for NAU work or instruction.
News & Updates
Current configurations, announcements, and resources for computer and endpoint device purchasing can be found on our Sharepoint Website.
Policy Information
All computing device purchases made using University funds or funds controlled by the University must comply with NAU’s computer purchasing policy.
Standard Device Configurations
Standard device configurations are the approved and up-to-date selection of devices and peripherals that NAU’s Computer and Endpoint Device Purchasing team uses to supply the university with the necessary hardware and software to perform NAU work efficiently and effectively. NAU standard device configurations are researched, reviewed, and approved by the Computer Hardware Committee.
Many factors play a part in purchasing technology such as the Total Cost of Ownership, security, and support—which includes the larger ecosystem of hardware, drivers, and software.
Additionally, industry trends and research will be considered where it is fiscally, functionally, and technically supportable within NAU’s current environment. Click on a dropdown to learn more about our determining factors.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Accordion Closed
- The initial cost of a computing device only constitutes about 20-25% of the TCO for the computer life cycle. This means that the majority of the cost of a computing device 75-80% is spent supporting the computing device during its life cycle.
Security Accordion Closed
- Part of evaluating standard device configurations includes specific hardware components like TPM chips that assist IT organizations with seamless encryption, firewalls, antivirus, and biometric verification.
- A focus on vendor product lines that have better driver release cycles since they are most often patched first.
- Compatibility with modern software management tools which allow us to manage our fleet and respond to security incidences or concerns effectively.
Support Accordion Closed
- We attempt to work with our contracted vendor’s enterprise lines since they provide us with specific diagnosis tools, claim submission sites/processes, and certifications for our technicians to service their enterprise device lines.
- Enterprise device lines generally have better long-term support for software, drivers, and parts.
- Enterprise device lines are designed to be more serviceable in the field.
Custom Quotes
We acknowledge that while it is impossible to meet all of NAU’s organizational needs with a handful of computing device configurations, ITS believes the current standard configurations meet close to 90% of the university’s needs.
To meet this goal, buyers must take an objective assessment of their computing requirements and seek to find a fit within the standard device configurations. Standard device configurations will be reviewed and adjusted according to the technical needs of NAU and vendor changes.
If a current standard configuration doesn’t meet a technical need, please submit a custom quote through a ServiceNow ticket. All custom quotes will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Unique support conditions may impact custom quotes and may also require approval from the submitting college or department’s leadership. More information about custom quotes can be found in the computer purchasing policy.
FAQs
How long does it take to receive orders? Accordion Closed
When an order is submitted it will be combined with other NAU orders and submitted to the vendors based on the ordering schedule. Once ITS receives the order it will be tagged and imaged before being delivered to you. On average, once the order is submitted to the vendor it can take two to three weeks for shipping and processing.
When and how will I be billed? Accordion Closed
The speed chart will be billed via a PeopleSoft Service Center Journal (IST) once fiscal approval from the department has been received.