Technical Purchasing

There are delayed lead times and stock issues due to COVID-19. If you are planning on purchasing computers or accessories from Lenovo or Apple (via CDW), please contact Technical Purchasing to verify current lead times.

 

The Technical Purchasing department facilitates Technical Purchases on campus. If you have a question about a non-technical purchase please contact Procurement. 

Computers, monitors, and peripherals

Standard Computers

Standard computer models are available in the ProcureSU system. These standards ensure that the products we order work with the systems we use on campus. Limiting the amount of variation not only ensures that you are purchasing a product that IT Services supports, but also keeps our costs low. Many features on our standard computers can be customized to meet your needs; you can do this through ProcureSU or by contacting Technical Purchasing for assistance.

These standard computers are now conveniently located within the CDW-G catalog in ProcureSU. You will see these items on the homepage of both punch-out catalogs. We do not support purchases for computers made through Amazon or B&H Photo.  Apple products and Microsoft Surface tablets can be ordered through CDW-G.

For more information, review the full matrix here: Campus Computer Standards.

Non-standard PC Computers

If your needs cannot be met through a standard computer, contact Technical Purchasing - you can do so by clicking underneath, "IT Purchasing Questions?" on ProcureSU's home page. Be sure to include a business reason as to why a standard computer won't work for your needs and a link to the computer you desire to purchase. Once your email is sent, Technical Purchasing will being working on your request. The request will go to the Associate CIO for approval. If approval is granted then Technical Purchasing will build a cart for you to purchase from. The Device will come to IT Services to be provisioned (i.e. labeled with an asset tag, imaged, and updated in our inventory). After the image is built then the device is handed off to the end user.

This device (if approved) will be classified as an Approved Non-Standard Exception:

-Not one of the standard computers, but IT Services has agreed to image and support due to unique business needs/customer requirements. Most of these computers will still be Dell due to compatibility

-Except in rare circumstances, cannot use Computer Refresh funding to purchase

Non-standard Mac Computers

Please reach out to Technical Purchasing via email if you would like a Mac that is not on the standard list. Mac computers do not have to go through the Non-Standard IT request form, but Technical Purchasing must build the cart for these purchases.

Tablets 

IT Services offers a Windows Surface as a standard tablet to purchase, which requires no special approval and can be purchased through ProcureSU via the CDW-G catalog. If the Surface does not meet your needs, contact Technical Purchasing - you can do so by clicking underneath, "IT Purchasing Questions?" on ProcureSU's home page.
. Be sure to include a business reason why the surface will not meet your needs, and a link to the desired device you would like to purchase. Approval for tablets goes through our Associate CIO, which is handled by Technical Purchasing. After approval, Technical Purchasing will build a cart in ProcureSU with the tablet to be purchased. Once the tablet arrives to campus it will be provisioned (i.e. labeled with an asset tag, imaged, and updated in our inventory), then handed off to the end user. IT Services will assist with basic troubleshooting.

Monitors

IT Services has pre-selected a number of monitors on our CDW-G catalog that we recommend for purchase. You can find these using the search bar. The factors most people consider are: price, size, availability, adjustability (vertical, swivel, etc.) and resolution. IT Services does not require nor recommend you purchase a warranty on these items. Monitors are also available for purchase through the CDW-G catalog. You are also able to purchase monitors through the Amazon catalog. Please contact Technical Purchasing for specialty request that are not found in our catalogs or for orders over 10 - you can do so by clicking underneath, "IT Purchasing Questions?" on ProcureSU's home page.

Peripherals and accessories

Computer peripherals and accessories can be found within our CDW-G catalog. We suggest using the CDW catalog for docking stations for your Lenovo laptop. The CDW-G catalog is best suited for finding computers, keyboards, mice, speakers, headsets, webcams and much more. You can find these items through the homepage of the CDW-G catalog below the standard computers. Items are categorized under the "Seattle University Approved Accesories". We do not recommend purchasing electronics through Amazon as there is not a guarantee that the products purchased on their site are genuine and there is not a guaranteed return option for many items they sell.

If you have a Dell laptop and need to purchase accessories for it. Please contact techpurchasing@seattleu.edu.

Printers & Toner

Seattle University utilizes a Managed Print Service that provides self-serve duplication and scanning functionality through copiers and printers across campus, excluding the School of Law.

The purchase or reimbursement of printers and toner/ink supplies is restricted. Printing needs not covered by the program may be eligible for an exception and require approval before equipment and supplies may be purchased/reimbursed.

To review the program goals, which motivate these restrictions, please visit MPS Goals and Successes.

Printers not part of the program without an approved exception will not be supported by the university in any way, including:

  • University funds cannot be used to purchase equipment or supplies
    • ProcureSU cannot be used for these items
    • Pro Card purchases will be rejected
    • Reimbursements will be denied
  • ITS will not service malfunctioning machines not in the program
  • ITS will not configure devices not in the program
  • ITS will not network devices not in the program

To request an exception, contact MPS.

Software

For information on pre-installed software and available software in the Virtual Desktop, please visit the Standard Software page. If you are a Faculty or Staff member who requires Adobe Creative Cloud for your work please contact the Service Desk to request this.

Initial Purchase: Once you have found the product you would like to purchase, send the end user agreement/terms & conditions/contract (whichever the vendor provides to you) to TechPurchasing@seattleu.edu. When you send the initial email requesting the review of the agreement include what the software does, how many licenses will be used on campus, and anything else of note. Technical Purchasing will coordinate the legal and IT review of the terms. Once both SU and the vendor have approved/signed the agreement, please begin your requisition in ProcureSU. Within the requisition be sure to add a comment noting that the agreement was approved on a specific date.

Renewals: When it is time for renewal please include a comment in your requisition noting that the agreement was reviewed and approved by legal and IT Services. Having that comment will let Technical Purchasing know that the requisition for the software purchase can be approved right away. If you do not have a contract or master agreement in place, ask the vendor for the appropriate documentation and follow the instructions for an initial purchase. Please include in your email how long you have used the software.

Having our legal team and IT department review the agreements helps keep our University’s data safer.

Sustainability

One of the Core Values that Seattle University holds is Leadership. Our goal is to develop responsible leaders, who are committed to the common good. One of the ways that ITS is able to provide leadership is through sustainability.

When selecting computers and other technology purchases for campus we consider sustainability, including Energy Star and EPEAT ratings. We also consider this when selecting our vendor partners.

The Computer Refresh Program enables us to keep computers on campus up to date and recycle old technology. After a user has had their computer refreshed, the old computer is removed by a vendor so it can be sold/reused, recycled, or disposed of.

Technical Purchasing Assistance

For assistance, please contact Technical Purchasing at TechPurchasing@seattleu.edu, Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I purchase monitor arms for my computer?

Please put in a work order with Facilities to have the Carpenter Shop work with you to determine what configuration would best fit your desk. Facilities will then help you determine what size monitors, and arms should be ordered. Based on this information, Technical Purchasing will be able to help you order your monitors by building a cart in the ProcureSU system. When the monitors and arms arrive, you will need to submit an additional work order with Facilities to have the items installed.

How do I order a headset for my phone?

Contact Technical Purchasing - you can do so by clicking underneath, "IT Purchasing Questions?" on ProcureSU's home page.

Why am I receiving emails from the IT Service Desk about the order I made through ProcureSU?

IT Services uses a ticketing system called Jira to track the status of ordered items. When the PO is sent to the vendor through ProcureSU, Technical Purchasing is notified. We then create a ticket to track the item(s). Once the item(s) is delivered to IT Services, Technical Purchasing will comment on the ticket to let you know what items have arrived and when. After all of the items in the order have arrived, the ticket will be assigned to our technicians to deliver or configure them. Once the items have been delivered, the ticket will be closed.

How do I return an item through CDW-G?

Please contact TechPurchasing@seattleu.edu for assistance.