Based out of Richardson, HiEd Inc. facilitates computer ownership on campuses through its

on-campus technology stores for many universities throughout the state of Texas. It provides

quality computers, peripherals, software and services to educational institutions including

Southern Methodist University, the University of Houston and the University of Texas at Dallas as well as

the University of Texas at Austin.

HiEd’s stores extend the benefits of their expertise and alliances with major computer vendors to their

campus communities. As a result, students, faculty and staff have a centralized resource to purchase the

technology they need for learning, instruction and research.

Establishing an efficient computer purchase process for tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff

The UT Campus Computer Store, a service of UT Austin Information Technology Services and managed

by HiEd Inc., serves a large population of tens of thousands of campus computer users at the University

of Texas at Austin. Providing hardware, peripherals and software for so many technology users can pose

many challenges. One struggle is communicating system specifications appropriate for the students’ degree

program. It can be confusing for incoming students to understand which features they will need to complete

assignments throughout their academic careers, particularly if they are shopping for hardware with many

different vendors.

CUSTOMER OVERVIEW HiEd Inc., a privately-owned company based

in Richardson, Texas, provides outsourced

management of on-campus technology stores.

HiEd’s stores offer quality computers, peripherals,

software and services to higher education campuses

including the University of Texas at Austin, Southern

Methodist University, University of Houston and

University of Texas at Dallas.

CHALLENGE HiEd’s goal is to deliver simple, effi cient and

cost-effective ways to acquire technology on

campus while streamlining program and

support processes for the store staff.

SOLUTION HiEd’s stores are on-campus resellers of Dell™

computer systems with units on the showroom fl oor

that enable customers to see and test the hardware

before they purchase. The stores offer effi cient

bundles and competitive pricing.

BENEFITCustomers have easy access to Dell computer

systems through HiEd’s stores. The bundles help

students buy the technology they need for their

programs of study. Orders are processed quickly,

and purchasers can begin working on coursework

without a long wait for their shipments.

HiEd Inc. UT Austin Campus Computer Store Higher Education

BACKUP/RECOVERY/ARCHIVING ■

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ■

STUDENT COMPUTING ■

DATABASE ■

MANAGEMENT/UTILITIES ■

BOOKSTORE/COMPUTER STORE ■

VIRTUALIZATION ■

Dell on CampusHiEd Inc. recommends and resells Dell systems to keep students connected

Additionally, shopping and ordering through multiple avenues makes it

difficult for users to determine if the comparison is fair and if they are truly

getting the best academic pricing. Staggered delivery times and varying support

programs can also result in customers not having the right technology when

they need it. Furthermore, diverse products and service agreements from a wide

range of sources increases the load on the IT Help Desk staff.

The UT Campus Computer Store needs an efficient way to provide technology

to its UT customers. The store needs a trusted resource who partners with them

to establish pricing, programs and ordering processes that successfully work

within the campus environment.

As a Dell reseller, the UT Campus Computer Store offers easy technology purchasing

The UT Campus Computer Store found a solution to supplying UT campus

technology by becoming a Dell™ reseller. The store offers faculty, staff and

student personal purchasers Dell Inspiron™ notebook computers, Dell

Photo-All-in-One printers and Dell laser printers. Service and limited warranties1

are also part of the recommended purchases. The IT staff is able to support Dell

systems both in terms of compatibility and maintenance support. Consequently,

students, faculty and staff enjoy fast repairs and minimized downtime.

Additionally, the UT Campus Computer Store serves as a centralized resource

where users receive technology purchase guidance to help them select the

right system for their needs. Staff members help students configure systems

according to their degree program requirements. What’s more, HiEd Inc. keeps

floor models on hand so that students, faculty and staff can see the system

before they make a purchase. “Customers don’t have to wait for the system to

arrive before they can determine if it is what they want,” states Leslie Harris,

HiEd Inc. president. “They can put their hands on it and see things like the

footprint and screen size.”

The UT Campus Computer Store sells Dell computers in convenient bundles

with features like degree-specific software and printers. The computers include

three-year limited warranties1 and three-year CompleteCare™ Accidental

Damage service2 that covers most repairs in the event of accidents like spills

and drops. Students can also receive software upgrades for free or for a

nominal fee.

The UT Campus Computer Store has a trusted technology partner and customers have a one-stop resource for technology

The reseller technology partnership with Dell has resulted in many benefits

for the UT Campus Computer Store and for its customers. As a result of HiEd’s

arrangement with Dell, it is able to offer special discount pricing and payment

options that might not be available to customers from other sources.

In addition to confidence in a great price, ordering is simple. “Dell’s ordering

systems and processes are very efficient,” Leslie explains. “The orders are

processed quickly so we can always count on the computers and peripherals

arriving within several days.”

Because the UT Campus Computer Store is able to depend on Dell, students,

faculty and staff can rely on the UT Campus Computer Store as their one

resource for technology purchases. Leslie explains, “Dell is responsive

and proactive. Timely orders mean that customers have the computers

and technology they need to begin learning and teaching as soon as the

semester begins.”

Dell account executives know the higher education market. They provide expert guidance

on which systems will work best in academic environments. The reseller partnership is a

success because Dell offers a combination of great people and systems.”

— Leslie Harris, President of HiEd Incorporated

PLACE IM-AGE HERE

1For a copy of our guarantees or limited warranties, please write Dell USA L.P., Attn: Warranties, One Dell Way, Round Rock, TX 78682. For more information, visit www.dell.com/warranty. 2 CompleteCare service excludes theft, loss, and damage due to fire, flood or other acts of nature, or intentional damage. CompleteCare not available in all states. Customer may be required to return unit to Dell. For complete details, visit www.dell.com/servicecontracts.

Dell cannot be responsible for errors in typography, photography or omissions. Dell, Inspiron and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows Vista is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. © 2007 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. 07DPUB107_0407

Furthermore, HiEd Inc.’s relationship with Dell™ enables the store staff to

offer guidance on which computer configurations will best meet the purchaser’s

degree program requirements, and users can easily get software upgrades.

“Dell account executives know the higher education market. They provide

expert guidance on which systems will work best in academic environments.

The reseller partnership is a success because Dell offers a combination of great

people and systems,” Leslie adds.

Dell is responsive and proactive. Timely orders

mean that customers have the computers and

technology they need to begin learning and

teaching as soon as the semester begins.”

— Leslie Harris, President of HiEd Incorporated

HOW IT WORKS

HARDWAREDell Inspiron™ notebooks

Dell Photo-All-in-One printers

Dell laser printers

SOFTWAREMicrosoft® Windows Vista™

Microsoft Office 2007

SERVICESCompleteCare™ Accidental Damage service2

Three-year limited warranty1 from Dell