Evaluating new hardware - Tools and advice for making the right choice
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Transcript of Evaluating new hardware - Tools and advice for making the right choice
Evaluating hardwareTools and advice for making the right choice
�1
Ryan Duggan University of Chicago
@RynDggn !+RyanDuggan
Define Needs
Base specifications of the needed equipment
What applications will you run immediately, near future?
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Query the User Base
Survey
Analyze recent historical data
Talk to key investigators
Research current industry trends
Ignore much of what the users say, but key in on the real needs.
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Refine Needs
With user feedback, refine specifications
“Future-proof” hardware
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Wants
Needs
Survey the MarketResearch what instruments are available
Base entry for consideration on minimum specification
Use organizational tools like Evernote to keep track of contenders
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Navigate the MarketingLearn to read marketing materials
Differentiate between Technical Spec (what hardware has) and Performance Spec (what hardware can do).
Marketing materials are fine for listing Technical Specifications, but NOT Performance Specification
“Samsung found itself accused of artificially (and secretly) boosting benchmark scores on its flagship phone to ensure it would outperform the competition.” - The Verge (http://goo.gl/5vuCs9)
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Create the MatrixList of specifications vs. available hardware
Use marketing material Technical Specs.
Include Budget as a specification
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Hands-on
No canned demos
No example data sets
Real data, collected by you, analyzed by you
Create your own performance metric if none exists.
Single most important decision criteria
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Take to the Social Network
Read reviews
Ask peers
Request OEM response for any negative feedback.
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Negotiate PurchaseNegotiate with multiple OEMs regardless of intent to purchase
Make sure OEMs are aware of the competition
Competitive bid may be required anyway
Get everything in writing
Include training, extended warranty, shipping, installation, free upgrades, etc…
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Be Mindful of Year-end deals
If you can time it properly, year-end numbers can be a powerful bargaining chip.
Make sure the sales representative is aware of their competition.
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Bonus Tip
So-called second Tier OEMs should always be considered.
The good ones are typically hungry for business
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Wrap-up
!
Do your homework
Test the hardware in real-world situations
(Re)Negotiate
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