Planning for the MIT Computer Connection (MCC)

Work-in-Progress, as of August 15, 1995


Daniel M. Weir, Director, Computing Support Services
The MIT Computer Connection (MCC) is an enterprise operated within Information Systems to maximize the value MIT and its schools, areas, departments, laboratories, centers, faculty, students, and staff realize from its reseller agreements with vendors of office and personal computers, peripherals, and software.

Work underway as of August 15

  1. All the MIT Computer Connection work underway in IS will continue, i.e., sales of microcomputer and workstation hardware, software, peripherals, supplies, and upgrades. More information about the MCC is available on the MCC Home Page.

  2. The MCC will continue its participation in the Institute's Supplier Consolidation reengineering efforts. The goal of this effort is to analyze MIT's buying patterns across product groups and consolidate the commodities or procedures wherever improvements can be effected. In October 1994 the Supplier Consolidation team selected desktop-devices as one of its three initial product areas for further investigation. Since that time, the MCC has been engaged in designing and piloting a new approach for desktop computer acquisitions. In June, the MCC ran the first pilot Save-A-Bundle sale. Preparations are now underway for the second pilot, a Back-to-School sale focused on serving students.

    The members of the Save-A-Bundle implementation team are Sally Plamondon, Dan Weir, Gerry Greenhow

Upcoming work August 15 - December 15

  • The "Back to School" Sale is coming soon and MCC efforts reach a peak during the late August through September time period.

    MCC staff are participating in the transition of IS to the new framework

    1. As of August 21, MCC work will continue under the leadership of Dan Weir and Sally Plamondon, and will not be incorporated into the IT processes. This means that current MCC staff continue doing work within the current organization structure. However, there likely will be changes in the structure and roles of the MCC staff during the current fiscal year, following the assessment of the peak sale pilot results and the determination of next steps, later this fall. Administrative support for the MCC remains as it currently is. Staff who need supplies and other administrative assistance, for instance, in the upcoming weeks should plan to get them wherever they get them today.

    2. Budget authority for the MCC remains as it currently has been in the IS department structure, under the continuing auspices of the designated members of the IS Finance team. However, we expect that the MCC's finances will be incorporated into the new accounting structure for the new framework, which is scheduled to occur later in the fall, coordinated by the IS Finance team.

    3. MCC staff will join the rest of IS staff in affiliating with competency groups in September 1995. Competency group leaders will work with MCC staff and leaders to ensure that MCC staff are fully involved in and served by the competency groups as they evolve.

    4. MCC staff and managers will participate, as appropriate, with other IS staff in transition planning teams.

      Next steps in MCC planning

      1. Complete the planning for and run the Back-to-School sales.

      2. Jointly with the Supplier Consolidation team, assess the results of the two pilot sales and recommend about future steps.