University’s Computer Purchasing Program Debuts

The University of Maryland has announced ACT — Academic Computers for Terps. Through the new ACT program, registered students, faculty, and staff can purchase pre-configured Apple and Dell computers with substantial benefits in price, technical support, and warranty protection.

Here are just a few of the perks of ordering a computer through ACT:

• Computers arrive ready for use on the university networks (both wired and wireless) with university software programs pre-installed, including antivirus software (pre-configured to automatically update for continual intrusion identification), virtual private network software for encrypted, secure connectivity, and a variety of other utilities and applications.
• Computers come with a full four years of vendor phone support and warranty protection. In addition, software consulting and hardware warranty repair by vendor-certified technicians are provided for machines purchased through ACT at the OIT Help Desks.
• Loaner computers are available if repairs require the ACT computer to remain at the repair shop overnight.
• Need-based assistance is available for student computer purchases.
  

“Four configurations, including laptops and desktops, from each vendor have been chosen as recommended computers,” said Pamela Burton, OIT Director of User Support Services and ACT coordinator. “They are all high-end, state-of-the-art offerings that should meet computing needs today and for years to come.

From Apple, university constituents can choose from two MacBook models, MacBook Pro, or iMac. From Dell, ACT participants can pick from two Latitude laptops and two models from the Optiplex family of desktop computers,” Burton said.

“The ACT program will be a boon for the university community and, in particular, for students,” said Dr. Jeffrey Huskamp, Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “The ability to purchase state-of-the-art, campus-ready personal computers at attractive prices with campus service and support will enable more extensive adoption of computers into the learning process.”

You can purchase an ACT computer directly from the vendors through the program’s dedicated Web site at www.act.umd.edu. You will need to enter your verified Directory ID and password to gain access to the ordering page.

The OIT Help Desks are available Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., to answer questions and provide technical support. The Student Help Desk number is 301.405.1400. The Faculty/Staff Help Desk number is 301.405.1500.

The new OIT Student Help Desk, created as a separate customer care center this past spring, is becoming an invaluable component in fulfilling OIT’s responsibility to deliver quality technical support services to the university community. Originally intended to provide peer-level support to students and incoming freshmen in need of technological guidance, it has gone beyond answering questions and solving problems to establishing itself as a student advocate and voice within OIT.

“We can help students on a very personal level and make them comfortable,” says Srivatsa Viswanathan, one of 13 OIT Student Help Desk employees. “We can say, ‘I had exactly the same problem you are having, and here’s how I solved it.’”

Further, staffers at the OIT Student Help Desk have been a vital resource since the ACT computer purchasing program was launched this summer –– suggesting improvements, providing additional integral support (including ACT warranty work performed by vendor certified student representatives), and offering ideas from the consumer’s perspective.

“As a student, I look at ACT from a customer standpoint. I know how much money matters to someone who’s paying for his own education, and I have a student’s/buyer’s perspective on the ACT computers,” adds Viswanathan. “I also see OIT’s role of providing customer service, making our clients happy, and supplying a good deal.”

Visit www.helpdesk.umd.edu or call 301.405.1400 for more information.

Left to Right: Chris Shrout, a senior majoring in communications; Sri Viswanathan, a sophomore computer science major; Mustafa Abdullah, a sophomore computer engineering major; Katrina Emery, a freshman majoring in aerospace engineering; and Murray Minter, a sophomore letters and sciences major.