Nobody likes experiencing that sinking feeling that you’ve either overpaid or bought the ‘wrong’ product; the good news is that there is a better way. Ian Nethercot, MCIPS, supply chain director, Probrand, explores how you can overcome the stormy world of IT purchasing and enter a new era where everyone feels confident to navigate and negotiate the very best deal
The IT industry is one of the most complex markets in the world and experiences thousands of price changes and product introductions per day. To browse that many products and manually compare specification, stock availability and cost is a near impossible task – there simply aren’t enough hours in the day. Just trying to find the right product is challenging enough, let alone keeping ahead of the latest innovations. This is particularly frustrating for the education sector as it faces increased pressure to deliver a digital curriculum. Here are three key pieces of advice to guide you on your IT procurement journey.
1)Embrace digital
Given the volatility in the IT market over recent years, it has never been more important for buyers to deploy digital solutions to help them work faster and smarter. Procurement teams shouldn’t be wasting time on processes that can be automated – for example, hanging around waiting for purchase orders which could be approved almost instantly. Adopting digital platforms allows procurement teams to improve efficiency and free-up time that can be spent more strategically – building relationships with suppliers and planning future purchases to ensure they are acquiring the best products at the best time and the best price.
2)Compare the market
Much of the equipment purchased for education will require a lower specification than private sector organisations – and can also be restricted by smaller budgets. Lots of products are designed with this in mind and are manufactured specifically for the needs of the education market. So, your first step is to make sure you’re taking a closer look at the specification of products to ensure you aren’t paying over the odds for something that does more than you need it to.
Digital platforms can make this process much easier by offering the ability to select multiple products and view a direct comparison in just a few seconds. This might look at things like the operating system or the battery lifespan, as well as dimensions and weight. If you’re struggling to choose between two products that are nearly identical in price, reviewing the specification can help you to become more informed about which product is going to suit your needs and give you the biggest bang for your buck.
3)Go green
Finally, it’s worth looking at refurbished and renewed IT equipment which can be somewhere between 30-40% cheaper than brand new devices. Equipment purchased through an authorised, accredited, platform will be inspected and tested as being fully functional, and many items come with a two-year warranty for peace of mind. Of course, there is also an environmental argument to this approach which may help contribute to any sustainability objectives you are trying to achieve as an organisation.
By following these steps educators can rid themselves of the headaches associated with traditional ways of buying IT and spend more time on activities that are driving innovation and creating the best possible learning environments.
The best news is that all of these can be achieved, safe in the knowledge that you are bringing spending under control and getting the best value.
At Probrand we understand that buying education IT is challenging, with purchasing processes to follow, demand for the best price and a need for technical advice you can trust.
Our unique digital marketplace saves you time and money by doing all the hard work for you – from price comparison and ‘live’ price and stock updates, to automatically delivering education-specific discounts you’re entitled to direct from vendors and distributors. Our specialist education team is experienced in hardware provision, install, and migration away from proprietary providers.
Register for free at marketplace.probrand.co.uk
This is a sponsored article brought to you by Probrand
To find out more about how Probrand could benefit you, come and chat to them at Education ExecutiveLive 2023. Book your tickets here!
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