Information Services (IS) is charged with ensuring the security of the IT infrastructure, protecting against disruptions of critical systems, mitigating vulnerabilities and risks of damage associated with and caused by cyber attacks and other illegal activities.  Computers that are unmanaged or unprotected (not maintained with critical virus signatures and critical operating system patches and updates) are most vulnerable to viruses, and malicious code that expose the environment to network slowdown, denial of service attacks, buffer overflows, etc.  Therefore computers attached to the BIDMC network must have active, up-to-date antivirus protection and critical level security OS patches applied to protect both the owner as well as the user community.  The following computer purchasing policy provides the actions and desktop management options that best enable the greatest reduction in risks with the least impact on users and computers. 

Research and Discretionary Computer Purchasing Summary - The complete Purchasing Policy RS-12 is located here!

Discretionary Purchasing Guidelines:  Researchers are encouraged to purchase computer equipment (desktops, laptops and printers) that falls within the established standards.  The fully supported PC standards include: Dell OptiPlex desktops; Dell Latitude and IBM/Lenovo laptops.  In addition, the Apple Macintosh desktops and laptops are also supported.  (Links will take you to computer configuration sites)

The IS Support Center (or ISSC - email at isupport@bidmc.harvard.edu or phone at 617-754-8080) is the main entry point for all IS support and service requests, including requests for pricing, quotations and procurement requests for laptop and desktop computers, printers and other network attached equipment.  Users wishing to purchase new computer or printer equipment should contact the ISSC for advice, product information or price quotes. 

If a researcher needs to purchase a non-standard computer system or a laboratory device containing a computer, they must submit an email to the Director of Academic Computing (sberry@bidmc.harvard.edu) indicating the type of system, the reason for the system, who and how the system will be supported and if the Operating System is not Window; who will administrator the system and be responsible for security issues and patches.  The CIO will review and approve all such requests.

Once a quote has been obtained and a purchase order ready to be created; all Education and Research technology purchases over $1,000 must be approved by Academic and Research Computing.  Send and email with your quote to research@bidmc.harvard.edu.

Asset Management Processes:  IS provides asset management on all technology related equipment maintained at BIDMC.  Typical asset management related activities include:

Consultation and Advice on computer equipment purchases, product information and price quotes

Assistance in contacting and communicating with manufacturers to arrange warranty repairs.

Asset Tagging & Tracking (related work orders, repair histories, preventive maintenance schedules)

Inventory in-processing which includes installing agents, clients, patches, applications.

Asset life cycle management (cradle to grave processing including end of life, equipment disposal and replacement forecasting)

Consultation and Equipment (and Parts) Replacement or Repair

 Note:  To facilitate the asset management process and required security management activities, all Purchase Order’s for computers and printers should include the following delivery instructions:

West Campus Shipping and Receiving

471 Brookline Avenue

IS Inventory Control – PB Span -- Computer Room G06