Where feasible, the University will strive to select either a single product, or a small number of products within category to achieve the stated standard. The University will select products to minimize total cost of ownership and to optimize:

• economies of scale in purchasing
• support
• maintenance
• training
• reusability

For each standard, a justification will be included to support the decision of selecting product(s) for the stated standard. Where an enterprise solution is required, the standard will indicate the enterprise rationale. The University will move as quickly as practical toward enterprise standards, recognizing that it may take a period of time to achieve. Moving to some standards will be easier than others, since for some categories, standards will still be evolving in the market place. Research Advisory firms, such as GartnerGroup, will be utilized to assist in identifying categories of standards, and the recommended product(s) selection. Identifying and setting standards is a very important step towards realizing the attainment of several of the guiding principles of the University¹s strategic information technology plans.

The University will encourage the purchase of standards- based products and services in a variety of ways. For example, the Division of Purchases will maintain contracts that will expedite the purchase process. Information Technology will offer training and support services (e.g. Help Desk services) whenever possible. The University strongly discourages the purchase of products and services outside the recommended and published standards. Purchasing procedures for non-standard products will need to be followed, and training and support services (e.g. Help Desk services) will not be offered for non-standard complaint products. In some situations, non-standards complaint products may not be allowed to attach to University networks and to access University services. Departments will need to closely monitor the purchase of products outside the purview of the Division of Purchases. Through the University¹s ProCard initiatives, more flexibility and responsibility is available to employees to purchase products without going through the regulated purchasing process; standard(s) adherence may be compromised. Department heads must assume responsibility to follow the standards during the procurement process and this should be reinforced throughout the department.

As new versions of products (that are identified within standards) are introduced, the standard will be updated to reflect the new versions through due process and indicated as such in an Appendix section that will explain a transition strategy. The appendix will provide more details as needed to address the different scenarios that can occur. For example, the downward/upward compatibility of products as new releases are introduced can be problematic and must be addressed during the transition.

The following is a list of areas for which standards have been defined or will be defined in the future:

• hardware, e.g. desktop computers, servers, printers
• software, e.g. operating systems, word processing, database management systems
• network, e.g. network protocols, network hardware components
• data, e.g. common data elements, data definitions
• ergonomics

These areas have been further delineated and placed in a category. The following items are defined within each category:

• Category - name of the standard
• Definition - description of the standard
• Rationale - reason for the standard
• Recommended Standard(s) - international, industry standards that support the category
• Recommended Product(s) - product selected by the University
• Justification - justify the choice of product for the standard
• Technical Considerations - any technical information that assists in the application of the product in support of the standard
• Review Cycle - how often the standard is reviewed
• Timeline - dates that reflect changes in the standard
• For more information ­ Links the reader to URL for procedures/policies to acquire goods or services
• Responsible Contact/Email address ­ person responsible for maintaining/updating the information

A list of categories with a consistent format and nomenclature has been established by staff in Information Technology and the Chandler Medical Center to identify the standard and product (if appropriate). Where possible, existing international, national or industry standards that support the category selection are used when a specific product is not named. As this process moves ahead, additional categories will be identified and refined. In some instances, the stated direction of the University is provided in the Technical Considerations section to assist departments in planning and procurement. Any categories identified, but not fully completed, have the phrase under construction under Definition.

NOTE: All brands and product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.