ABSTRACT
To satisfy any organization’s basic operational requirements, the data center manager needs to be able to distinguish mandatory computer and communications hardware features from those that are desirable. Once minimum mandatory requirements are determined, the manager should have a step in the evaluation process to associate value for each desirable feature and weigh the costs against the perceived value. Conducting an economic analysis of equipment should include mechanisms for allocating values to both mandatory and desirable features, and a sound methodology enables the data center manager to assess vendor bids and negotiate with vendors wisely. This chapter addresses issues involved in invitations to bid — and provides a sample worksheet useful in determining each bid’s economic value to the organization. A mandatory feature represents a feature necessary to achieve an operational state to satisfy organizational requirements.
