Purchasing Advice

Contents

• Personally Owned Mobile Devices - General Advice for Students and Staff
• University Purchased Mobile Devices
• Purchasing Mobile Apps

As Mobile Phones, Tablets and eBook readers change so frequently its hard for us to give accurate and timely purchasing for certain models of device. Our advice is to consider the following key points when choosing a Phone / Tablet / eBook reader:

1. Check the support available for each type of device. To do this have a look at our Tier Information
2. What do you want to be able to do with your device?
3. What environment will you mostly be using the device in? For example is it for use when you are out and about? or will you be at a desk?
4. How much time will you spend doing tasks? (Is it just a quick check of Email? Or are you going to take notes in a meeting)
5. How much will the device cost?
6. What are the alternatives?
7. What Security advice do I need to read? What you should know about accessing University Data on a mobile device.

When you have considered the above, we recommend you do the following:

1. Read reviews of the device. Some external websites we find useful in our team are: Mobile Burn, Trusted Reviews and PhoneArena.
2. Is University support important to you? If so then only choose a Tier 1 Device,
3. Have a look at the device in a store. The choice between Android, iOS (Apples iPhone/iPad) and BlackBerry is often down to personal preference,
4. As technology changes so often, its hard for us to keep a website up to date with the best choice. Feel free to ask a question on AskIT

The only devices available are those that are Tier 1. Please have a look below for how to order a University Mobile Device:

Tablets that can only connect to Wireless Networks (No Mobile Data Contract / SIM)

These devices only connect to wireless networks (Such as eduroam and your home wireless network). When no wireless network is available the devices can't connect to the Internet, however you can still access content and apps that are installed on the device.

To order a Tier 1 Wireless Device log a ticket with the IT Service Desk. Be sure to include the following:

• Type of device required
• Make and Model of device
• Who the device is for (if not for yourself)
• University chargecode for equipment purchase (EL1, EL2) e.g. ISYS-AB1234
• Intended use of device (e.g Use for email and calendar? Do you need it to play videos of certain formats? Do you want to share the device between several people? etc, etc)
• Optional extras such as covers - please supply full description and/or product codes

If the device is non-standard (e.g. Base model + Standard Protective Cover) then you will need:

• Acceptable business/technical justification
• Approval from Deputy Faculty Financial Controller

Please note that non-standard device may take longer to order than standard models.

Phones and Tablets that connect to the Mobile Data network and Wireless

As above, these devices can connect to the Wireless Network, and when there is no wireless network available they can connect to the Mobile Data network. They require a monthly contact (usually 24 months) as well as an upfront cost to purchase the device. On top of the advice above, please also consider the advice from Telephone Services. To order a SIM enabled device please visit the Telephone Services ordering page.

We plan to so a full review of how apps for University business are purchased for mobile devices but we are a little way off releasing this as a coherent process. Below is the informal process for purchasing apps for mobile devices:

1. Create and add an external Google (for Android) or Apple (for iOS) account and associate your personal or corporate credit card to it.
2. Agree the proposed purchase with your local finance representative
3. Claim the cost of personal purchases via Proactis giving full details as to why the app was required. Without full details the claim may be rejected by Finance.