CTL recently published a best practice handbook entitled "K-12 Technology Lifecycle Management." Below is an excerpt from the book focusing on acquisition and purchase strategies.

Once the groundwork is laid, strategic acquisition of your K-12 tech comes into play. This phase focuses on thorough research and vendor selection based on educational needs, durability, services, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. 

Read the full story, “How to Successfully Roll Out Chromebook Plus for Teachers.”

Here are a few guidelines for a successful acquisition program, keeping your technology lifecycle management goals in mind:

• Test new devices and software with a small cohort before you make your large-scale commitment and investment. Select participants with varying levels of expertise to get a true picture of how your new technology will be received. Testing equipment ahead will mean less unused equipment on your shelves later. 
• Explore purchasing strategies such as bulk buying, negotiating discounts, and leveraging purchasing cooperatives to maximize value. Purchasing cooperatives can be national or regional, and include TIPS, PEPPM, Purchasing Cooperative of America, or regional-level organizations such as ILTPP or the Texas BuyBoard. See the list of purchase contracts available.
• Analyze the financial and operational implications of various acquisition methods (e.g., leasing, loans, purchase). OEMs like CTL will offer a variety of programs and options for procurement. Some programs, such as leasing or loans, may offer deferred payment options to align with your budget cycle.
• Think about new vs. refurbished devices. Could the younger grades get by with refurbished devices, perhaps? Could your loaners, spares, and substitute teachers use refurbished instead of new? Supplementing your fleet with refurbished devices
  might make sense for certain use cases and keep devices out of landfills.
• Proactively plan for maintenance and repair with warranty options, accidental damage plans, and maintain a stock of extra units for self-repair or parts. Thinking ahead ensures devices run longer for a lower total cost of ownership.
• Consider device protection to keep units operating through rugged daily use. Protective cases and a strong student digital citizenship policy (with parent buy-in) can significantly prolong device lifespan.
• Think through the downstream effect of the packaging of your technology purchase. Do you really want 1,200 individual computer boxes to unpack and recycle, for example? Consider vendors that offer bulk shipment for easy unpacking. Don’t forget to ask about the amount of recyclable material in the package and what may end up in landfills. Finally, to be truly green, consider the source of the cardboard in packaging. Is it Forest Service Council (FSC) certified, which means sourced responsibly?

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