HiEd Inc. UT Austin Campus Computer Store
Higher Education
BACKUP/RECOVERY/ARCHIVING
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
STUDENT COMPUTING
DATABASE
MANAGEMENT/UTILITIES
BOOKSTORE/COMPUTER STORE
VIRTUALIZATION
CUSTOMER OVERVIEW
HiEd Inc., a privately-owned company based
in Richardson, Texas, provides outsourced
management of on-campus technology stores.
HiEd’s stores offer quality computers, peripherals,
software and services to higher education campuses
including the University of Texas at Austin, Southern
Methodist University, University of Houston and
University of Texas at Dallas.
CHALLENGE
HiEd’s goal is to deliver simple, efficient and
cost-effective ways to acquire technology on
campus while streamlining program and
support processes for the store staff.
Dell on Campus
HiEd Inc. recommends and resells Dell systems
to keep students connected
B
ased out of Richardson, HiEd Inc. facilitates computer ownership on campuses through its
on-campus technology stores for many universities throughout the state of Texas. It provides
quality computers, peripherals, software and services to educational institutions including
Southern Methodist University, the University of Houston and the University of Texas at Dallas as well as
the University of Texas at Austin.
SOLUTION
HiEd’s stores are on-campus resellers of Dell™
computer systems with units on the showroom floor
that enable customers to see and test the hardware
before they purchase. The stores offer efficient
bundles and competitive pricing.
BENEFIT
Customers have easy access to Dell computer
systems through HiEd’s stores. The bundles help
students buy the technology they need for their
programs of study. Orders are processed quickly,
and purchasers can begin working on coursework
without a long wait for their shipments.
HiEd’s stores extend the benefits of their expertise and alliances with major computer vendors to their
campus communities. As a result, students, faculty and staff have a centralized resource to purchase the
technology they need for learning, instruction and research.
Establishing an efficient computer purchase process for tens of thousands
of students, faculty and staff
The UT Campus Computer Store, a service of UT Austin Information Technology Services and managed
by HiEd Inc., serves a large population of tens of thousands of campus computer users at the University
of Texas at Austin. Providing hardware, peripherals and software for so many technology users can pose
many challenges. One struggle is communicating system specifications appropriate for the students’ degree
program. It can be confusing for incoming students to understand which features they will need to complete
assignments throughout their academic careers, particularly if they are shopping for hardware with many
different vendors.
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Dell account executives know the higher education market. They provide expert guidance
on which systems will work best in academic environments. The reseller partnership is a
success because Dell offers a combination of great people and systems.”
— Leslie Harris, President of HiEd Incorporated
Additionally, shopping and ordering through multiple avenues makes it
difficult for users to determine if the comparison is fair and if they are truly
and drops. Students can also receive software upgrades for free or for a
nominal fee.
getting the best academic pricing. Staggered delivery times and varying support
programs can also result in customers not having the right technology when
they need it. Furthermore, diverse products and service agreements from a wide
range of sources increases the load on the IT Help Desk staff.
The UT Campus Computer Store needs an efficient way to provide technology
to its UT customers. The store needs a trusted resource who partners with them
to establish pricing, programs and ordering processes that successfully work
within the campus environment.
The UT Campus Computer Store has a trusted
technology partner and customers have a one-stop
resource for technology
The reseller technology partnership with Dell has resulted in many benefits
for the UT Campus Computer Store and for its customers. As a result of HiEd’s
arrangement with Dell, it is able to offer special discount pricing and payment
options that might not be available to customers from other sources.
In addition to confidence in a great price, ordering is simple. “Dell’s ordering
As a Dell reseller, the UT Campus Computer Store offers
easy technology purchasing
systems and processes are very efficient,” Leslie explains. “The orders are
The UT Campus Computer Store found a solution to supplying UT campus
arriving within several days.”
processed quickly so we can always count on the computers and peripherals
technology by becoming a Dell™ reseller. The store offers faculty, staff and
Because the UT Campus Computer Store is able to depend on Dell, students,
student personal purchasers Dell Inspiron™ notebook computers, Dell
faculty and staff can rely on the UT Campus Computer Store as their one
Photo-All-in-One printers and Dell laser printers. Service and limited warranties1
resource for technology purchases. Leslie explains, “Dell is responsive
are also part of the recommended purchases. The IT staff is able to support Dell
and proactive. Timely orders mean that customers have the computers
systems both in terms of compatibility and maintenance support. Consequently,
and technology they need to begin learning and teaching as soon as the
students, faculty and staff enjoy fast repairs and minimized downtime.
semester begins.”
Additionally, the UT Campus Computer Store serves as a centralized resource
where users receive technology purchase guidance to help them select the
right system for their needs. Staff members help students configure systems
according to their degree program requirements. What’s more, HiEd Inc. keeps
floor models on hand so that students, faculty and staff can see the system
before they make a purchase. “Customers don’t have to wait for the system to
arrive before they can determine if it is what they want,” states Leslie Harris,
HiEd Inc. president. “They can put their hands on it and see things like the
footprint and screen size.”
The UT Campus Computer Store sells Dell computers in convenient bundles
with features like degree-specific software and printers. The computers include
three-year limited warranties1 and three-year CompleteCare™ Accidental
Damage service2 that covers most repairs in the event of accidents like spills
Dell is responsive and proactive. Timely orders
mean that customers have the computers and
technology they need to begin learning and
teaching as soon as the semester begins.”
PLACE IMAGE HERE
— Leslie Harris, President of HiEd Incorporated
HOW IT WORKS
Furthermore, HiEd Inc.’s relationship with Dell™ enables the store staff to
offer guidance on which computer configurations will best meet the purchaser’s
degree program requirements, and users can easily get software upgrades.
“Dell account executives know the higher education market. They provide
expert guidance on which systems will work best in academic environments.
The reseller partnership is a success because Dell offers a combination of great
people and systems,” Leslie adds.
HARDWARE
Dell Inspiron™ notebooks
Dell Photo-All-in-One printers
Dell laser printers
SOFTWARE
Microsoft ® Windows Vista™
Microsoft Office 2007
SERVICES
CompleteCare™ Accidental Damage service 2
Three-year limited warranty 1 from Dell
1
For a copy of our guarantees or limited warranties, please write Dell USA L.P., Attn: Warranties, One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682. For more information, visit www.dell.com/warranty.
CompleteCare service excludes theft, loss, and damage due to fire, flood or other acts of nature, or intentional damage. CompleteCare not available in all states. Customer may be required
to return unit to Dell. For complete details, visit www.dell.com/servicecontracts.
2
Dell cannot be responsible for errors in typography, photography or omissions. Dell, Inspiron and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows
Vista is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell
disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. © 2007 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc.
is strictly forbidden.
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