Hit: Service costs

[Carol Foster <cfoster@CORTLAND.CNYRIC.ORG>]

From: "Anne Falgout" <afalgout@cajunnet.com>

I heard a surprising thing last week.  Our system adopted the Athena
Automation System.  There were 27 libraries that automated with the program.
We formed a core team of about 7 librarians with a top technology librarian
at the top.  The core team was trained and we work with about 3 or 4 other
librarians.  This cut our calls to the Athena Tech Support.  Because our
calls were so few they lowered our support/service plans.  I thought this
was great and a help to us.  It might be something worth looking into.
Maybe a proposal to the company for next year.
 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=
Yes, it is a big expense.  However, let me repeat, it is not an
expense you can avoid without serious consequences.
You cannot afford to be without support at each location.  If you
have installed automation or any of the other products, the cost of
tech support is part of the package.  Those folks on the other end of
the phone can mean the difference between a lively system and being
dead in the water.
Mary Veronica Amison
amisonm@xavierhs.org

I equate support services with the fire department.....One hopes one
never ever has to call on the fire department but one pays ones taxes so
the fire department is down the street with proper equipment and
personnel to come when (God forbid) I have a fire.....


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kate Stirk, Media Specialist
stirkk@annunciationacademy.org (school)
Annunciation Catholic Academy, Altamonte Springs, Florida, USA
stirkk@juno.com (home)

X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise 5.5
Date: Tue, 25 May 1999 11:44:27 -0400
From: "Peggy McQuade" <MCQUADPA@spartanburg6.k12.sc.us>
To: <cfoster@CORTLAND.CNYRIC.ORG>
Subject: Re: support fees

I would never go without the support!!!  Our district has started paying
the fees for these services.  They are able to negotiate a better price
than if we do it school by school.  This school year all the schools got on
the same schedule for renewal.  A rep from the DO did all of the leg work!
We were lucky.
Peggy


From: Kathy Thomson <KThomson@epsb.edmonton.ab.ca>

The only item that you mentioned that related to our situation was Winnebago
support.  I'd be lost without it, and the cost has never been questioned.
There are at least eight schools in our district that put in a "group"
purchase for services and updates each year.

Hope this helps.

============================================================================

Carol P. Foster
Library Teacher
F.E. Smith Elementary School
33 Wheeler Avenue
Cortland, NY 13045
607-758-4180

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
    All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to:
 listserv@listserv.syr.edu         In the message write EITHER:
 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv
 For LM_NET Help & Archives see:  http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=