Technology Polices

Get hardware specifications for desired computer:

- There is a University and State contract for computers. By law, when using University funds, purchases must be through contract agents, in our case UA Computer Store.

- Visit UA Computer Store website at: www.uark.edu/campus-resources/comstore/ or contact the AFLS/AES Technology Coordinator (5-3420) for assistance with computer hardware decisions and quote generation.

- For machines that are to be networked and/or supported by AFLS/AES Technology Support Staff, adhere to AFLS/AES Minimum Computer Specifications standards.

Verify hardware specifications, determine site license software and account information:

- Call AFLS/AES Technology Coordinator (5-3420).

- Determine network hardware/software.

- Site license software includes MS Office Suite, Corel WordPerfect Suite, Eudora Pro, Adobe Products, JMP, SAS, SPSS, Symantec/Norton AntiVirus, Sigma Plot, AutoCAD, ESRI GIS software and Meeting Maker, all at greatly reduced cost.

- Other software can be purchased and installed by AFLS/AES Technology Support Staff.

- If you don't already have one, request a university computer ID for all types of on-line resource access.

Process requisition:

- Generate a quote for the specific hardware specifications through the UA Computer Store web site. The quote number will be required on the requisition.

- Take e-quote specifications sheet (from UA Computer Store web site) and additional purchases (printers, scanners, software ...) request to unit accounting staff.

- Email the quote number or fax a copy of the e-quote specifications to the Technology Coordinator at 575-4202. On-line approval of the purchase is done by the Technology Coordinator after reviewing the specifications.

Machine arrival:

- AFLS/AES Computer Support Staff install agreed upon hardware and software at the UA Computer Store prior to delivery to you.

- UA Computer Store delivers computer.

- Coordinate on-site setup visit with AFLS/AES Technology Support Staff to complete functionality testing. Call 5-3420 to schedule.

Minimum Computer Specification Standards

New Computers

-Select models of Dell or Gateway with current technology processors.

- Operating Systems: Windows XP Professional (not XP Home), Mac OS 9 or higher

- 512M or higher RAM

- 40G or higher hard drive

- CDRW drive or DVD+/-RW drive

- 3 year or higher warranty

- 24/7 Technical support line, those designed for Tech support personnel only for expeditious service.

New machines must be equipped with new network adaptors. Old 8-bit or 16-bit network adaptors do not give reliable performance in today's 32-bit and 64-bit computers.

New computers must be purchased from one of the state contract vendors. All expected components should be purchased as part of the initial configuration. Though it is possible to bypass the contract by using Foundation funds, odd hardware components, sub-standard hardware components, and systems built without anticipated growth potential are difficult (and sometimes impossible) to configure and support.

Computers which are not bought from the state contract may be ineligible for campus technology support. Contact AFLS/AES Technology Coordinator prior to purchase.

Existing Computers Minimum Specifications

- Y2K compliant

- Pentium class processor 1GHz or higher

- Windows 2000, or XP Professional (not XP Home). Appropriate Mac OS.

128M RAM Windows 2000

256M RAM Windows XP Professional

- 20G hard drive with at least 600M available hard disk space

- SVGA

- standard, non-proprietary motherboard

- 1 free PCI expansion slot

Computers which fall below these minimum specifications may be ineligible for campus technology support. An advance service call by AFLS/AES support may be necessary to determine this.

AAES/AFLS Server Policy

The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) and the College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences (AFLS) maintain servers for network authentication and file and print sharing for all Fayetteville campus users within the college and station.

If a unit has a server need which cannot be met with the AAES/AFLS servers, they have the option to purchase, at their expense, a server of sufficient capacity to meet their needs. When this is done, the following guidelines apply: .

1) The specifications for the server will be established in consultation with the AAES/AFLS Technology Coordinator.

2) The AAES/AFLS Server Administrator will be responsible for installation and configuration of the server network operating system. If any subsequent changes are requested by the purchasing unit in the services offered by the server, these changes will be implemented by the AAES/AFLS Server Administrator.

3) The server will physically reside with other AAES/AFLS servers.

4) A qualified representative within the unit may need to be appointed to handle day to day account and server maintenance. This need will be determined by the AAES/AFLS Server Administrator, but may be required of the unit depending upon unit needs. This individual will work in close communication with the Server Administrator.

For purposes of this policy, a server is defined as any computer running a server operating system. This policy assigns responsibility and authority for all servers located in an AAES/AFLS unit on the Fayetteville campus with the AAES/AFLS Server Administrator.

Servicing Personal (Non-State Owned)Computers

As state employees, AFLS/AES Technology Support staff may not provide support for non-state owned computers. Such support would be in violation of appropriate use of state funding.

Furthermore, it is inappropriate for non-state owned computers to be used on-campus for state workforce purposes. Therefore, support will not be provided for any non-state computer even if it is located on campus.

Computing Services maintains a list of staff who are willing to provide fee-based assistance after hours. See their web site (currently www.uark.edu/campus/compserv/lastresort.html) for a list of names and phone numbers of those staff members.

For other businesses in the northwest Arkansas area providing this type of assistance, consult the Yellow Pages.