We intend to use this page to illustrate the need to search out 'best value' IT buys and to help you obtain them.
The page evolved from a conversation between one of our consultants and a school administrator who had just purchased a number of pendrives for school use. The pendrives had been purchased via an LEA approved supplier on an agreed contract basis at the unbelievable price of £22 each !!!! The same pendrives were available from the local IT shop at £8 and online for £4.00.
The moral of the story is to shop around. IT equipment prices change rapidly and prices agreed a couple of months ago are probably too high.
The best IT equipment prices are always found online. Typical savings over are usually 10-20% for online purchases. If you don't already have a school credit card then consider obtaining one.
Alternatively, many suppliers will be willing to create a school account for you and this can then be used to order via the telephone or via official order.
For greater benefits join our members only School Centre.
Membership is currently being offered free for 12months.
Member benefits include:full access to our range of free resources and research
detailed IT project guides and free entry into our awards programme
access to the Alison online learning platform
protected online purchasing
click here for application form
We constantly carry out Product Research on your behalf to achieve best 'value for money'
Example Product Research
Pendrive Price Research - May 09
|
| type | cost incl vat | supplier |
| Dabs Value 2Gb USB aluminium | £3.73 | Dabs |
| Kingston 2Gb USB DTi Hi Speed 100 | £5.00 | Dabs |
| Dabs Value 4Gb USB aluminium | £5.31 | Dabs |
SanDisk Cruzer Fleur
1GB USB Flash Drive | £3.97 | PC World |
| PNY Attache 2
2GB USB Flash Drive | £8.99 | PC World |
SanDisk
Cruzer Micro Skin
8GB USB Flash Drive | £17.99 | PC World |
| iDisk 1GB USB | £3.49 | BIGmaggot |
Purchasing note:
Not all pendrives are the same. They differ in the size of files they can store and the Gb number is an indication of this. 2Gb is usually plenty big enough. There can also be major differences in the speed that they are able to save and open files. The more expensive ones are usually the fastest but not always! Speed is rarely an issue for school use so cheapest is best.
Important: Every pendrive given to staff should be accompanied with a big sign saying
Back-up your pendrive regularly - you may LOSE it or BREAK it