The University of Stellenbosch is opening a new computer laboratory at its Tygerberg Campus using an innovative financing model from Hewlett-Packard. The model allows cash-strapped academic institutions to stay abreast of IT technology without incurring crippling capital expenditure bills.
The new laboratory will significantly extend student-computing capacity at the Tygerberg Campus, which houses the University of Stellenbosch`s Health Sciences faculty. It boasts 110 fully networked HP Vectra desktop computers, a HP net server (acting as a SQL database server), HP laser printers and several digital cameras (two sponsored by HP) for use in documenting medical conditions for study purposes.
The two-year deal, worth +/-R850 000, is structured so the university pays HP a fixed monthly fee for the full term of the contract, at the end of which the computer supplier will replace the computers with brand new machines.
"Academic institutions are increasingly finding the HP technology finance model is the easiest and most cost-effective way to go in computer ownership," said Amelia Frewin, HP SA`s Cape Town branch manager. "It does away with costly capital expenditure, and provides an effective way of keeping up to date with the newest technology at an affordable and predictable fixed cost."
David Wiles, Manager of the Computer Users Area, said the deal with HP allows the university to extend the eCampus concept, in which all students have access to computers and do some parts of their training online.
At least 70 of the HP machines will be used in open computer areas, where students have access to e-mail facilities, online tests and Internet research on a 24-hour basis. The remaining computers will be used in an electronic classroom, where certain modules in the curriculum can be performed online before the students get practical experience.
"Our biggest problem with PCs is redundancy," said David Wiles. "With government subsidies shrinking, and ever-tightening budgets, it has become increasingly difficult to stay up to date with new technology. HP`s model takes the capital expenditure burden off our shoulders and gives our students access to state-of-the-art computers."
HP reseller First Technologies, which will also provide support for the duration of the contract, undertook installation.
"Universities play a pivotal role in extending the value of our new technology for the broad user community," said Frewin. "We`ll be looking to extend our HP Technology Finance model in institutions across the country."
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Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to all. HP had total revenue from continuing operations of $48.8 billion in its 2000 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com/
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