The University of Michigan top policy makers are moving toward
a de facto standardization of PCs by an enterprise-wide implementation
of PeopleSoft products.  Because of the extra work necessary to
use a Mac, and the expense involved (for example, Citrex translators
at $40-50k), the Mac's are being replaced.  Since PeopleSoft
cannot make their systems work on either the Mac or, and perhaps
even more importantly, on the WEB, more and more units at UM
are getting PC's.  For those institutions which are considering
adopting PeopleSoft software, this is a point to keep in mind.
In research administration, they are coming out soon with
the GRANTS system for faculty/staff to use in proposal preparation,
and for central administration to use in proposal and award
data management.  If this were a mandated system, it would be
difficult for people to continue to use Mac's.

Thus, there is more than one way to bring about standardization
of hardware.

Bob
xxxxxx@umich.edu
_______________________________________________________________________________

>From: Research Administration Discussion List on Tue, Nov 10, 1998 6:35 PM
>Subject: Standardizing hardware
>To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
>
>Our school is considering standardizing computer hardware, including the
>computers used by faculty members.  One proposal is that we go entirely
>to PCs and eliminate all Macs.  Has anyone tried to standardize faculty
>computers?  Did it work?  What was the response from faculty?   What
>would happen if you restricted or forbid the purchase of Macs?  Would
>like to hear especially from medical schools or research-intensive
>institutions.
>--
>Peter J. Dolce, Ph.D., Director
>Office of Research Support Services
>Meharry Medical College
>Nashville, TN  37208
>P (615) 327 6703
>F (615) 327 6716
>
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>