Our new Director of Business is requiring every school to complete an extensive equipment inventory before she will approve any future technology expenditures. This looks like a lot of work and I'm not sure I understand why it's so important. What are your thoughts?
Your new director may be heeding current private sector practice. Businesses are discovering, now that they have a collection of different equipment on-hand, that accurate up-to-date equipment inventories are worth their weight in gold. For example, inventories are used: to determine if equipment is placed for maximum usage; to establish realistic refresh cycles; and to identify potential compatibility problems. Armed with a current inventory, businesses do a better job of grouping purchases, standardizing equipment (when appropriate), and eliminating unnecessary duplication.
Do the inventory, but don't drop the matter there. Meet with your technology committee to review the information and make a plan for using the data to shore up your technology plan. I think you'll find that you are in a position to make better use of existing equipment and more informed decisions about future purchases.
Submitted by: Susan Brooks-Young
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