Summary
The Technology Selection and Purchase process improves our collective technology capabilities, responsiveness to business needs, and stewardship USNH-wide. This article presents a series of questions designed to assist in discerning the necessity of using the Technology Selection and Purchase Process.
Before you purchase
Before you make a software or technology purchase, and before you engage a technology vendor, be aware not all technology is created equal.
- Have you spoken to a vendor or seen a demo promising great results, quickly, without needing Enterprise Technology & Services (ET&S) help? Even well-intentioned vendors do not know of the available existing solutions, or understand the technology and security requirements across the USNH enterprise.
- Regardless of what you’ve heard, our experience tells us that most solutions require, and benefit from, ET&S involvement.
Let’s answer a few questions:
- Will your institutional data be used, stored, processed, or managed with this technology?
- Will this technology connect to or pass information over our Network?
- Will access to the product/software/service be restricted to certain groups or individuals?
- Will this technology be used to process payments (i.e. credit card or electronic check transactions)?
- Will this product/software/service impact life/safety (i.e. security cameras)?
- Do we already own technology that may meet your business needs?
If you answered 'Yes' or 'I don't know' to any of these questions, or if you just need some guidance - please complete the Technology Selection and Purchasing form. A member of ET&S will reach out to help you navigate the process.
Need additional help?
If you need further assistance, see Technology Selection and Purchase: Need Help?