BRITTANY YEAROUT
Staff Writer
In order to meet the evolving demands of students and technology, the computer store is working toward a more efficient system, including a new online ordering service to better serve students on the Malibu Campus.
The computer store is in the process of collaborating with Dell, Apple and software vendors to develop specific Web sites, fit for Pepperdine, to allow students to order their desktop and laptop computers online.
“We are looking at enhancing service and going to the model that most people choose to purchase their goods now, which is online,” Baker said.
Ordering online will have specifically configured Pepperdine computers pre-loaded with the recommended software and settings that is best for Pepperdine, such as Windows XP software.
The computer store is always looking to enhance services for students, faculty and staff, according to Hillary J. Baker, associate vice president and Chief Information Officer of Information Technology.
“We are not closing the computer store,” Baker wrote in an e-mail to the Graphic. “However we are looking to improve the options for student purchase and ongoing support of desktop and laptop computers on campus.”
There are several different areas that the computer store assists with students regarding their laptops and desktops.
“The computer store provides hardware, software and accessories for the university community,” sales coordinator Brooke Becker Cargill said. “We also do all the purchasing for departments, in addition to students. Our main purpose is to provide a place on campus where students can pop in and pick up little things because we know you are captive here in Malibu, there is not a lot of places to go.”
For incoming freshmen the online store service will help with the process of ordering computers.
“We would certainly pre-load as much as we can but we would still want to have a tech check … but it should make it a lot easier and save a lot of time,” Baker said.
The computer store plans on stopping the selling of computer hardware or software over the counter.
“We would still be continuing to provide the consulting advice and guidance for students as they are considering which computer to purchase,” Baker said. “A lot of our time is spent not only with students but with parents who call and ask for advice. We are not taking that away but we are saying not only can they have the advice but that person will be able to go online and make that purchase.”
Other goals for the computer store include transitioning the sale of the small computer accessory items, such as printer cartridges, to the Follett bookstore and relocating the store to another area on campus.
“The actual location of where the best place for providing desktop and laptop service for students is not large enough for what were looking to do,” Baker said.
Students agree that the store should be bigger but they like the location.
“It is small, but I like that it’s by the mailroom and the cafeteria, it is pretty central to where everything is,” freshmen Zach Buck said.
This academic year the computer store began offering students the option to meet with an IT technical expert who can fix and answer questions about their laptop hardware or software.
This technical assistance is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
“The technicians typically help about 5 to 10 students per day, sometimes up to 20 students on a busy day at the beginning of the fall semester,” Baker said.
The new Web site and transitioning of small accessory items to the bookstore will happen by the end of the semester. However, the relocation of the computer store may take some time.
03-16-2006